Easy Gooseberry Cake

  • I love gooseberries but in the last few years I have not seen any fresh ones for sale in the shops near me.
  • I will try the larger markets around me in the next few weeks.
  • I bought some bottled gooseberries in the Polish shop and decided to use these in this cake.
  • I have based this cake on an easy apple cake I made a few years ago and on – 
  • Easy Rhubarb Cake which I posted a few weeks ago.
  • This is based on an American idea with just a free form base and slightly raised sides.
  • Two secrets to success are:
  • 1) NOT have too much pastry and
  • 2) NOT to have loads of filling.
  • Also it is better to use fruit which has been cooked but NOT a “mush”
  • The pastry should be rolled out until it is thin.

Ingredients – pastry

  • 200g flour
  • 100g butter
  • 1 egg yolk
  • Juice of 1 lemon and water or just cold water.
  • *
  • 1 egg yolk – use it all – for sealing
  • *
  • 1 egg white – beaten
  • 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar

Ingredients – filling

  • 1 jar of gooseberries
  • Strain the gooseberries
  • Leave in the sieve for around 30 minutes
  • 1 tablespoon of icing sugar

Method 

  • Rub the butter into the flour until like breadcrumbs.
  • Add the egg yolk and lemon juice and mix to a soft dough.
  • Add more water sparingly if necessary.
  • *
  • Wrap in plastic and leave in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • *
  • Butter / Grease a large baking sheet.
  • Pre-heat the oven to GM6 – 200°C.
  • *
  • Roll out the pastry thinly until you have a rough circle around 25cm.
  • Place the pastry onto the sheet.
  • Brush the egg yolk over the circle.
  • Place the gooseberries onto the circle.
  • Sprinke the icing sugar over them.
  •  
  • Bring up the sides of the pastry.
  • Brush the sides with the egg white.
  • Sprinkle on the tablespoon of granulated sugar.
  • *
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes until the pastry is golden.
  • Leave to cool on a wire rack.
  • *
  • Sprinkle with icing sugar before serving optional

Duchess – Bramble Rose – Tea Plate

Placek with Gooseberries

Ribes uva cripa agrest in Polish – gooseberries are related to black and red currants.

Gooseberries are the first soft fruits of the summer.  They grow well in cooler climates. These gooseberries were picked the evening before this placek was made.

This placek – flat-cake has the lovely contrast of the sweet cake against the tart fruit.

Ingredients

  • 400-450g of gooseberries
  • 250g butter
  • 200g icing sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 360g plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1-2 tablespoons of yoghurt
  • *
  • Icing sugar to dust

Method

  • Pre-heat oven to GM4 – 180°C.
  • Grease and use one sheet of greaseproof to line two sides and base of a 32 x 22cm baking tin.
  • Top and tail the gooseberries.
  • Cream the butter and sugar
  • Add the eggs one by one and continue creaming.
  • Mix the flour with the baking powder.
  • Gently mix in the flour.
  • Add yoghurt to make a soft dough.
  • Lightly press the dough into the baking tin.
  • Scatter the gooseberries on top.
  • Bake for 45 – 50 minutes.
  • Leave to cool on a wire cake rack.
  • Dust with icing sugar before serving.