Icing for Chocolate Topped Banana Cake

Asked by aahelijana98. Answered on 7th January 2016

Full question

Hello. I would like to make the Chocolate-Topped Banana Cake. In the recipe Nigella has instructed to use golden syrup for the icing on the cake. My question is can I omit this golden syrup or this is a compulsory ingredient?

Our answer

Nigella's Chocolate-Topped Banana Cake (from the Nigella website) has a ganache-style icing that is made from water, rum, sugar chocolate and golden syrup. The ingredients are melted together and then poured over the cake.

The golden syrup does help to keep the icing soft as golden syrup is hydroponic, meaning that it attracts and holds moisture. Without the syrup the icing would form a harder crust on the cake as it sets. However if you cannot find golden syrup then agave syrup and corn syrup would be good alternatives. It would also be possible to use a clear or runny honey as an alternative, but try to use a mild honey as a strong-flavoured honey can affect the taste of the icing slightly.