The History and Secrets of Jam Drops and Marble Cake
Jam Drops and Marble Cake: A Delicious Duo for Any Occasion
If you're looking for a sweet treat that's easy to make, versatile, and satisfying, you can't go wrong with jam drops and marble cake. These are two classic baked goods that have been enjoyed for generations, and they're still popular today. But what are jam drops and marble cake, and why are they so loved?
Jam Drops and Marble Cake
Jam drops are also known as thumbprint cookies or jam cookies. They are soft, buttery cookies that have a well of jam in the center. They're usually made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, egg, vanilla, and jam. You can use any kind of jam you like, such as strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or even Nutella. Jam drops are perfect for afternoon tea, lunch boxes, or as a gift.
Marble cake is a cake that has two or more colors swirled together to create a marbled effect. It's usually made with a vanilla batter that's divided into two parts, one of which is flavored with cocoa powder. Then, the batters are spooned into a cake pan in an alternating pattern and swirled with a knife. Marble cake can be eaten plain or topped with frosting, glaze, or whipped cream. It's great for birthdays, parties, or as a dessert.
In this article, we'll show you how to make jam drops and marble cake from scratch, with step-by-step instructions and tips. You'll also learn how to store them, how to make different flavors, how to decorate them, and how to answer some common questions about them. Let's get started!
How to Make Jam Drops
Making jam drops is easy and fun. You only need a few ingredients and tools, and you can customize them with your favorite jam. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Gather the ingredients
For this recipe, you'll need:
125 g (1/2 cup) of unsalted butter, softened
100 g (1/2 cup) of caster sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
225 g (1 3/4 cups) of plain flour
A pinch of salt
About 1/4 cup of jam of your choice
You'll also need some baking trays, baking paper, a mixing bowl, an electric mixer, a wooden spoon, a measuring cup and spoons, and a teaspoon.
Step 2: Preheat the oven and prepare the baking trays
Preheat your oven to 180C (160C fan-forced) and line two baking trays with baking paper. This will prevent the cookies from sticking to the trays and make them easier to remove.
Step 3: Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will take about 3 minutes on medium-high speed. Scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally will help to incorporate all the ingredients.
Step 4: Add the egg and vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat well to combine. The mixture may look a bit curdled at this point, but don't worry, it will come together once you add the flour.
Step 5: Stir in the flour and salt
Sift in the flour and salt over the butter mixture and use a wooden spoon to stir until a soft dough forms. You may need to use your hands to bring the dough together at the end.
Step 6: Shape the dough into balls and make indentations
Roll tablespoons of dough into balls and place them on the prepared baking trays, leaving some space between them. Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to make a small indentation in the center of each ball. This will create a well for the jam.
Step 7: Fill the indentations with jam
Spoon about half a teaspoon of jam into each indentation, being careful not to overfill them. You can use any kind of jam you like, or even mix and match different flavors.
Step 8: Bake and cool the cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden around the edges. Let them cool slightly on the trays before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Make Marble Cake
Making marble cake is also easy and fun. You only need a few ingredients and tools, and you can create a beautiful swirl effect with minimal effort. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Gather the ingredients
For this recipe, you'll need:
200 g (3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons) of unsalted butter, softened
200 g (1 cup) of caster sugar
4 large eggs
200 g (1 1/2 cups + 2 tablespoons) of plain flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
A pinch of salt
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
A splash of milk
You'll also need a 20 cm (8 inch) round cake pan, baking paper, a mixing bowl, an electric mixer, a wooden spoon, a measuring cup and spoons, two small bowls, and a knife.
Step 2: Preheat the oven and grease the cake pan
Preheat your oven to 180C (160C fan-forced) and grease your cake pan with some butter. You can also line it with baking paper if you want to make it easier to remove the cake later.
Step 3: Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will take about 5 minutes on medium-high speed. Scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally will help to incorporate all the ingredients.
Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time
of flour to help it come together.
Step 5: Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt
Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt over the butter mixture and use a wooden spoon to fold until well combined. The batter should be thick and smooth.
Step 6: Divide the batter into two bowls and add cocoa powder to one of them
Divide the batter evenly into two small bowls. Add the cocoa powder and a splash of milk to one of the bowls and stir well to make a chocolate batter. Leave the other bowl as it is for the vanilla batter.
Step 7: Spoon the batters alternately into the cake pan and swirl with a knife
Spoon dollops of the vanilla and chocolate batters alternately into the prepared cake pan, creating a checkerboard pattern. Use a knife to gently swirl the batters together, creating a marbled effect. Don't overmix them or you'll lose the contrast.
Step 8: Bake and cool the cake
Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool slightly in the pan before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and Tricks for Making Jam Drops and Marble Cake
Now that you know how to make jam drops and marble cake, here are some tips and tricks to make them even better:
How to store jam drops and marble cake
Jam drops and marble cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. To thaw them, let them sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving.
How to make different flavors of jam drops and marble cake
You can easily vary the flavors of jam drops and marble cake by using different kinds of jam or adding different ingredients to the batters. For example, you can try:
Lemon curd, orange marmalade, or peanut butter for jam drops
Lemon zest, almond extract, or cinnamon for vanilla batter
Coffee, nutella, or red velvet for chocolate batter
Be creative and experiment with your favorite flavors!
How to decorate jam drops and marble cake
You can also decorate jam drops and marble cake to make them more festive or appealing. For example, you can:
Sprinkle some icing sugar or desiccated coconut over jam drops
Drizzle some melted chocolate or caramel over marble cake
Add some fresh berries or whipped cream on top of jam drops or marble cake
Have fun and make them look as good as they taste!
Conclusion
Jam drops and marble cake are two delicious baked goods that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. They're soft, buttery, and full of flavor. You can customize them with your favorite jam or ingredients, store them for later, or decorate them to impress. They're sure to please anyone who loves a sweet treat.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and tools and start baking! You'll be amazed by how simple and satisfying it is to make jam drops and marble cake from scratch. And don't forget to share your creations with your friends and family. They'll love you for it!
FAQs
Q1: What kind of jam should I use for jam drops?
A1: You can use any kind of jam you like for jam drops, as long as it's not too runny or chunky. Some popular choices are strawberry, raspberry, apricot, blackberry, cherry, or plum. You can also use other spreads like lemon curd, orange marmalade, peanut butter, or Nutella.
Q2: How can I make marble cake more moist?
A2: To make marble cake more moist, you can add some sour cream or yogurt to the batter. This will also give it a slight tangy flavor that complements the sweetness. You can also use oil instead of butter, which will make the cake more tender and less dense.
Q3: Can I freeze jam drops and marble cake?
A3: Yes, you can freeze jam drops and marble cake for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap them well in plastic wrap or foil, or store them in a freezer-safe container. To thaw them, let them sit at room temperature for about an hour before serving.
Q4: What can I serve with jam drops and marble cake?
A4: Jam drops and marble cake are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with some other accompaniments to make them more special. For example, you can serve them with:
A cup of tea or coffee
A glass of milk or juice
Some fresh fruit or fruit salad
Some ice cream or custard
Some whipped cream or cream cheese frosting
Choose whatever suits your taste and mood!
Q5: How can I make jam drops and marble cake healthier?
A5: Jam drops and marble cake are indulgent treats that should be enjoyed in moderation. However, if you want to make them healthier, you can try some of these substitutions:
Use whole wheat flour instead of plain flour
Use brown sugar or honey instead of caster sugar
Use low-fat butter or margarine instead of unsalted butter
Use egg whites or applesauce instead of whole eggs
Use sugar-free jam or homemade jam instead of store-bought jam
Use dark chocolate or cocoa powder instead of milk chocolate or cocoa powder
Keep in mind that these substitutions may affect the texture and flavor of the final product, so experiment with caution. 71b2f0854b