On old board I had written about my quest to find a Battenburg recipe that looked like something I could actually make. I was inspiredy by Thursday Next's mother, Mrs. Next, who is famous for her Battenburg cake. I understand Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, says it is his favorite! I was severely handicapped by never actually having seen a real Battenburg. All I had to go on was advice from folks here and some recipe boards and news groups I searched in my quest for a Battenburg recipe.
I DID it! I made a Battenburg from a recipe I found online, apparently written or adapted by an American because it lists Confectioner's sugar instead of caster sugar as an ingredient. (Caster sugar = confectioner's sugar= fine sugar, I think.) I like it, I made my own almond paste with the help of a food processor to chop up the almonds. I have a friend who is a pastry chef who advised me on working with the almond paste. She also could have connected me with a source of premade almond paste, but making it yourself is much less expensive. It only took about 2 hours all total and I didn't make too much mess doing it. Now anytime Thursday Next - or even Hamlet - would like to drop by, I will be able to make them feel right at home!
When I get time I will post recipe under cookbook folder.
Joy in Virginia
