Can I Use Instant Horlicks For The Chocolate Malteser Cake?

Our answer

Nigella's Chocolate Malteser Cake (from FEAST) is a chocolate layer cake that is filled and topped with a chocolate malt-flavoured buttercream. The recipe uses original Horlicks, which is the type that you mix with hot miik. Instant Horlicks is mixed with hot water.

The proportions of ingredients are different between the two different types of Horlicks and the instant Horlicks actually contains less malted products. It also contains more skimmed milk powder, which changes the consistency. Unfortunately we are not sure how these changes affect the sponge. Particularly as it is a whisked sponge, which has less fat and is lighter and more delicate than a Victoria-style sponge. If instant Horlicks is the only product available then we would suggest omitting it from the sponge itself and only using it in the buttercream. As instant Horlicks is less "malty" you may need to add a little more to get a good flavour. Make the buttercream following the recipe then taste it and see if it needs more Horlicks and add extra according to your own taste. You may need to add a little extra hot water after adding extra Horlicks, but do this carefully, a few drops at a time, until the buttercream has an easy spreading consistency.