No. 2086 — English Layer Cake
English historical translation of Molokhovets recipe No. 2086 from the 1901 Russian cookbook, retaining original methods and measures.
Cream a pound fresh unsalted butter until pale; gradually beat in a pound sugar, one and a quarter pounds flour and finally eight eggs.
Flavour with ten to twelve bitter almonds or lemon zest and beat well for as long as possible.
Spread into two round layers and bake in a moderate oven. Sandwich with thick cranberry syrup, coat the top with more syrup and return to the oven for ten minutes.
For small pastries spread this batter thinly on a floured metal sheet. Halfway through baking cut into squares on the sheet, finish baking, pair with marmalade or cranberry syrup and glaze.
To provide
For six people and two layers: ⅓ pound butter ⅓ pound sugar, about ⅔ glass 5/12 pound flour, about 1¼ glasses 2⅓ eggs | 5–6 bitter almonds Or lemon zest ½ glass cranberry juice and 1½ glasses fine sugar Glaze separately |