Single Layer Of A Cake

Asked by quantumcake. Answered on 4th November 2016

Full question

I would like to make the Coffee And Walnut Cake but I only have one pan for baking. Can I halve the recipe to make just one layer?

Our answer

Nigella's Coffee And Walnut Layer Cake is a two layer cake made with a walnut and coffee-flavoured sponge. The layers are baked in 20cm/8-inch sandwich cake pans. Fortunately the quanities of the ingredients used are easy to halve and it is certainly possible to use half of the ingredients and make just one layer. The baking time for the single layer is the same.

You could also make the cake into two layers by baking a second layer later in the day or the next day. If making the cake over two days let the first layer cool completely, wrap it tightly in clingfilm (platic wrap) and, if possible, put in a cake tin or tightly sealed box and store overnight in a cool place. Once the second layer has baked and cooled then you can unwrap the first layer and ice the cake as directed in the recipe.