Mondrian Cake

Recently, a friend had a joint birthday with his girlfriend and invited us all over for a party. I wasn't sure what to get the girlfriend, but I remembered that she's interested in baking and she works in the art world. Well, that cinched the deal - Mondrian cake!

I used a basic sponge and icing recipe.

     Sponge cake

     8 oz butter

     8 oz sugar

     4 eggs

     8 oz self-raising flour

     Food colouring (yellow, blue, red)

     Blend the butter and sugar, add beaten eggs and flour. Mix well.

     Split into four bowls, and stir in food colouring until the colour is even.

     Bake in separate pans for about 30 minutes at 180C.

          Tip: for fun, add different flavourings to each bowl.


However, the hardest part of the recipe isn't the baking, it's the decorating. Once the cakes are cool, you are ready to start assembling! In the meantime, make the icing:

     Icing
     5 oz butter
     3 oz sugar
     4 oz chocolate powder

     Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Add black food colouring if desiring a darker shade

          Tip: gel food colouring does not blend well with buttercream frosting.

Once the cakes are ready, upend them on a chopping board or clean surface. Cut off any crusts, and slice into rectangular and square-ish strips.

Start building, using the icing as glue, until you get a square. Use pattern if you like.

Once done, cover in more icing. 

If you prefer a smoother casing, then use fondant. (I personally do not like it very much, so avoid using it where possible).