Lemon, Thyme, and Blueberry Sponge Cake

1

(Makes one medium sized cake – serving 12)

LEMON AND THYME SPONGE

  • 8 eggs, separated and at room temperature
  • 300 g castor sugar
  • 2 lemons, zested
  • 30 ml chopped thyme
  • 210 g cake flour (375 ml)
  • 5 ml baking powder
  • 120 g butter, melted

LEMON BUTTER/CURD

  • 165 ml lemon juice
  • 25 ml cornflour
  • 165 g castor sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 2 eggs
  • 150 g butter

LEMON AND THYME SYRUP

  • 150g castor sugar
  • 80 ml lemon juice
  • 15 ml chopped thyme

TO FINISH THE CAKE

  • 150 g blueberries
  • 250 ml whipping cream
  • thyme sprigs

  • For lemon butter/curd: Combine lemon juice and butter in a heavy-based saucepan and stir over low heat until butter melts. Whisk sugar, egg yolks and eggs in a bowl until combined, mix in the cornflour and add to lemon juice mixture.
  • Stir continuously on very low heat for 4-5 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly, transfer to a container and refrigerate until completely cold.
  • For lemon and thyme syrup: Combine the castor sugar, lemon juice and 125 ml water in a small saucepan and stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and bring to the boil.  Add the thyme and simmer until it becomes a syrup.  Cool completely.
  • To make the sponge: Preheat oven to 160°C and line two 24 cm cake tins with baking paper
  • Use an electric mixer on high speed and whisk the eggs, sugar and lemon rind for ±7 minutes or until tripled in volume. Sift the flour, and baking powder together then sift it into the beaten egg mixture. Fold through using a large metal spoon, add the melted butter and thyme and fold through gently to combine.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared cake tins. Bake for ±25 minutes or until golden and centre springs back when pressed gently with a fingertip. Cool for about 5 minutes in cake tins, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

To assemble the cake:  Spread the one cake with the whipped cream and lemon butter and sandwich with the other cake.  Drizzle syrup over the cake and top with blueberries and a few sprigs of fresh thyme.