John O Gaunt Gate Cake on display at Lancaster Castle
20th August 2014With the Great British Bake Off returning to our screens this month, Lancaster Castle are proudly displaying a local example of baking expertise.
From next week, Lancaster Castle will be displaying a replica cake of the famous John O Gaunt gates, meticulously baked, iced and hand decorated.
Measuring 14″ by 18″ and weighing in at 2 stone, 9lb 8oz, the replica cake was baked by Margaret Harrison, member of the Lancaster Inner Wheel Club, to commemorate the club’s 75th anniversary.
The cake, which took a staggering four months to complete, and was made using Mary Berry’s own classic fruit cake mix, will be proudly displayed from Friday 15th August for 6 weeks in NICE @ the Castle Café. The cake was covered with 4.5 lbs of homemade almond paste, 6lbs of icing sugar and three packets of flower paste. All the colours on the cake are 100% edible.
The process began back in January with 3 cakes forming the bottom, middle and top sections of the replica gate. The cakes were then cut, shaped, covered in an almond paste and stacked using dowels to secure all sections. The chimneys were then cut into appropriate shapes, later covered in stone coloured icing and rubber with a grater to for texture.
The effect on the brickwork was achieved by scoring Royal Icing with a serrated knife and painting each individual brick with appropriate colour mixed with gin.
Margaret Harrison, dedicated baker of the cake and member of the Lancaster Inner Wheel Club commented on the project:
“It took four months to make and took lots of patience. I am thrilled that it will be displayed at the castle for people to enjoy.”
The cake was baked to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Lancaster Inner Wheel Club. The club is a local charity meeting once a month and organising charity fundraising throughout the year. This year they have raised funds for St John’s Hospice, Stoke Unit at Royal Lancaster Infirmary, Alzeimers Clinic, Galloways for the Blind and many other causes.
