Freezing Autumnal Birthday Cake

Our answer

Nigella's Autumnal Birthday Cake (from HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS) is a maple flavoured sponge cake that is filled and covered with a maple meringue frosting. It is possible to make the sponge part of the cake in advance but not the frosting. Once the sponge is completely cold the layers can be wrapped in clingfilm (plastic wrap) and kept in an airtight container overnight before frosting. The layers can also be frozen, each tightly wrapped in a double layer of clingfilm and a layer of foil, for up to 3 months. To thaw the layers, unwrap them and put them on a wire rack at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours.

The frosting is a 7 minute meringue frosting and this does not store very well. You should make the frosting and ice the cake straightaway as the frosting firms up very quickly and we would recommend serving the cake within 2 hours of frosting. Leftovers should be stored in the fridge and eaten within 24 hours. Also note that the frosting contains only lightly cooked egg whites so may not be suitable for those with a weakened immune system, though if this is a concern then you can make the frosting with pasteurized egg whites (the plain, unseasoned type) from a carton instead.