Method
- Preheat the oven to 180C and lightly grease 3 x 8-inch cake tins.
- Start with the cake. In a small, heatproof bowl over a pan simmering water, gently melt the white chocolate and the butter. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and sugar.
- Make a well in the middle, then pour in the yoghurt or sour cream, vanilla extract, orange zest, eggs and milk.
- Whisk everything together while slowly pouring in the melted white chocolate mixture. Combine until smooth.
- Divide the cake batter between the three cake tins and bake for 25 mins, until an inserted skewer comes out clean. The cakes should be slightly golden and well risen.
- Once removed from the oven, allow the cakes to sit for 5 minutes in the tins then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, make your cranberry jam. Add your cranberries and sugar in a small saucepan on medium heat.
- Add 1tsp water and let simmer for 5-6 minutes until the cranberries have nearly all broken down. Once thick, set aside to cool and become a sticky jam.
- For the icing, add the white chocolate to a heatproof bowl. Melt the double cream in the microwave until just boiling then pour over the white chocolate. Cover with cling film and let side for 6 minutes.
- Remove the cling film and whisk mixture together until thick and smooth. Set aside to cool almost completely into a ganache.
- In a stand mixer or with a whisk, beat the ganache until fluffy then add the butter until fully combined. Slowly add in the icing sugar, beating until you have a thick icing – add more cream if needed.
- When you’re ready to assemble, stack up the sponges with generous layers of icing and jam in sandwiched in between. Cover the entire cake with a thin layer of icing then refrigerate for 1-2 hour. Add the remaining icing to the cake, creating a smooth finish.
- If creating the drip effect, melt the chocolate in the microwave then slowly on top of the cake, pushing the chocolate to the edges of the cake until it drips off.
- For the wow factor, decorate with gold dust, meringue kisses, sprinkles, cranberries etc. Serve up with your favourite Christmas drink!
