Magic Cakes

DIRECTIONS

• Grease and line a 21 x 31 x 2.
• 5 cm baking tray with baking parchment.
• Preheat the oven to 180 C (160 C in a fan oven).
• Cream the butter, lemon zest and salt together until creamy, then add the sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy.
• Add the eggs, a spoonful at a time, beating well after each addition.
• You may need to add 1-2 tablespoons of flour to keep the mixture from curdling.
• Use a large metal spoon to fold in the flour in three batches.
• Spoon the mixture into the tin and spread evenly.
• Use a palette knife to level the surface.
• Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 minutes until the centre of the sponge springs back when lightly pressed.
• Turn out and cool on a wire rack.
• Brush the top of the cake with some of the lemon juice, then apply a thin layer of jam with a palette knife.
• Roll out the marzipan to the same size as the top of the cake.
• Carefully lift on to the cake and gently smooth the top with your hand.
• Chill for an hour.
• Use a ruler to mark the cake into 28 squares, then cut with a serrated knife dipped in cold water.
• Brush the top of the cakes with more apricot jam.
• Meanwhile, melt the fondant with the remaining lemon juice in a saucepan over a low heat.
• Stir continuously until the temperature reahes about 55 C on a sugar thermometer.
• Divide between four bowls.
• Leave one white and colour the others with your choice of food colouring.
• Dip one square at a time into the colour of your choice and transfer to a wire rack over a tray.
• Leave for 20 minutes to dry.
• Lift off with a knife and put into paper cases.
• To make the royal icing, mix the egg white, lemon juice, half the icing sugar and glycerine with a wooden spoon until creamy.
• Gradually stir in the rest of the sugar and beat well until it is white and smooth.
• Use a small piping bag to create your own designs on top of each cake.
• Decorate with the glitter and silver balls.