This classic cake is a sweet ending to a lovely dinner any time of year. If you like, garnish it with curls of lemon rind. A citrus zester with a channel cutter makes this easy. To serve, cut it with a serrated knife.
Moist, almond-flavoured sponge with a tangy layer of jam and soft, buttery pastry makes this traditional tart a wonderful treat served warm or cold.
Some say the Bakewell tart (or pudding, to give it its original name) was created by accident when, in 1820, a cook poured egg mixture on top of jam, making a tart instead of a pudding. However, other sources say it hails from a 15th-century dish called "flathon," which was either a rich custard over a candied-fruit base, or made with ground almonds, sugar and spice. In its birthplace, Bakewell, you'll still find it sold under the name "pudding."
We love the versatility of this cake: Make it a trendy naked cake and have extra icing for creating cake pops (see tip below), or go to town and generously cover each layer with fudgy maple icing.
These pops make an adorable edible centrepiece on your Thanksgiving table. Small gingersnap thins fit neatly in a measuring cup; if you're using bigger cookies, break them into 1-inch (2.5 cm) pieces to fit in the cup. To make the crumbs, pulse the cookies in a food processor, or put them in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin, until they're crumbly but not powdery.
