FAST FOOD
Tipsy cakes

Tipsy cakes

Serves 8



2 tbsp   caster sugar
125 ml   sweet sherry
4   1.5cm-thick slices of brioche (120gm, about ½ loaf), crusts removed, quartered, or sponge cake
250 gm   strawberries, hulled and quartered
4   amaretti, finely chopped
60 gm   flaked almonds, toasted
200 ml   pouring cream, softly whipped
Custard
800 ml   milk
1   vanilla bean, split lengthways
8   egg yolks
110 gm (½ cup)   caster sugar


1 For custard, place milk, scraped seeds from vanilla bean and bean in a saucepan and bring almost to the boil. Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a bowl until well combined, then gradually pour in milk mixture until well combined. Return mixture to same pan and stir over low-medium heat until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Do not boil. Transfer to a bowl, discard vanilla bean, cover closely with plastic wrap and cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled, or for up 2 days.
2 Place sugar in a bowl, add 2 tbsp boiling water, stir until dissolved, then stir in sherry. Place brioche in a flat dish, drizzle with sherry mixture, turning to soak completely.
3 Place a piece of brioche in the base of a 150ml glass or small bowl, scatter with some strawberries, then pour in approximately ¼ cup custard, sprinkle with a little chopped amaretti and almonds. Top with 2 pieces of brioche, some strawberries, cream and nuts. Repeat with remaining brioche, strawberries, custard, amaretti and almonds, then serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 day.


Drink Suggestion Unsmoked black tea such as China keemun.

RECIPE Sophia Young PHOTOGRAPHY William Meppem STYLING Margot Braddon


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