Toasty Topped Butter Cake

A couple of weeks ago, I discovered this washing up video on YouTube, that I thought was quite cute and funny. I followed the link to their site, "Stop Washing Up." They have a contest on their page running right through June, where if you join the site and answer a question, you have the chance to win a free dishwasher. You had to answer in 15 words, why you needed a new dishwasher.

I am always joking around with people when they get to talking about dishwashers. Ever since we got married, Todd has always done the dishes. He says that since I do all the cooking, he doesn't mind doing the dishes, which works for me. When people get to talking about their dishwashers, I have always said that I have a 72 year old dishwasher that still works like a charm. At first people look at me a bit strangely, until they realize I am talking about the Toddster, and they have a bit of a laugh about it.

So anyways, to make a long story short, I entered the contest by talking about my 72 year old dishwasher, and guess who is the Week 3 Winner of their dishwasher giveaway campaign??? YOU GOT IT PONTIAC!! It's MOI!! ME!! Yeppers, today was my lucky day!! Todd and I had just been out for a short walk with Mitzie along the River Dee and gotten into the house when the telephone rang. I answered it and it was a Zanussi PR person informing me that my entry had won for this week!! Can you say over the moon???

I am just thrilled. I have always wanted a dishwasher since I moved over here. It's been on my wish list, along with a clothes drier since day one. I already have a Zanussi washing machine, and we are really pleased with it, so I just know I will be pleased with this dishwasher. All I have to do now is to check out their site and pick which one I want!! Needless to say, this has really made my day!



Of course, I baked a cake to celebrate!! How could I not???



And not just any cake either. An incredibly tasty Toasty Topped Butter Cake, or what my mom used to call a Lazy Daisy Cake.



This is one of my favourite cakes. A moist and scrummy basic butter cake, topped with a lucious toffee topping that is applied after the main cake is baked and then broiled until caramelized!!



Mom always put just coconut in hers, but as you know, I like to take things just that little bit further, and so I use a mix of half coconut and half flaked almonds, for an extra depth of flavour and crunch.



This went down a real treat! Wow. A new dishwasher, a cute Pup, the Toddster and a tasty cake all in one day! I do believe I am just the luckiest woman in the world! (Todd is feeling rather lucky as well, especially now that he knows his dishwashing days are numbered!!)

*Toasty Topped Butter Cake*

makes one 9 inch round cake
Printable Recipe

A delicious moist butter cake, topped with a broiled nut and coconut brown sugar topping!

125ml of milk (1/2 cup)

1 TBS butter

2 large free range eggs

7 ounces golden caster sugar (can use regular, 1 cup)

4.25 ounces of plain flour (1 cup)

1 tsp baking powder

pinch salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp lemon extract

1/2 tsp rum extract

To top:

3 ounces butter, melted (1/3 cup)

5 ounces soft light brown sugar (2/3 cup packed)

4 TBS double cream

2 ounces grated coconut (1/4 cup)

2 ounces flaked almonds(14 cup)

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter a 9 inch round baking tin and dust lightly with flour. Set aside.

Warm the milk in the microwave along with the butter on high for about 35 seconds. Stir in the extracts and set aside.

Beat the eggs and sugar together for the cake batter until well combined. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the egg mixture alternately with the milk mixture, to give you a smooth batter. Pour into the prepared pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top spring back when lightly touched or a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Whisk together the topping ingredients until well combined. Spread this on top of the baked cake while the cake is still warm.

Preheat your grill to high. Spread the nut mixture on top of the cake and place under the broiler until the topping caramelized. Allow to cool completely before cutting into wedges to serve. Crushed berries are very nice with this.