Neopolitan Steamed Marie Cake

If you can't bake it, then steam it! Steamed cakes are easy to make, and this one here is made using Marie biscuits, eggs, butter and brown sugar. I decided to make a Neopolitan version, layered with chocolate, strawberry and vanilla flavours. The use of brown sugar makes this cake not-too-sweet, with a delicate buttery taste and hint of vanilla that makes you want to eat more. I also added some prunes to the cake as Z loves them (he eats prunes like they were candy).

So if you're one of those who are daunted by the idea of baking cakes, try steaming one instead. They are foolproof and just as delicious!

Neopolitan Steamed Marie Cake

Ingredients

200g butter
150g brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 eggs
250g packet Marie biscuits (or other similar plain biscuits), finely ground

Flavourings:
1 tbsp cocoa powder + 2 tbsp hot water, mixed
1 tsp strawberry paste (or you can use strawberry essence + pink food colouring)

Method

1. Grease and line a 20cm square tin with baking paper. Prepare a steamer or wok for steaming.
2. Cream butter and sugar with vanilla extract until light and creamy. Then add eggs one at a time and beat/whisk until fluffy and well combined. Add the finely ground biscuits and stir until evenly mixed.
3. Divide batter into three portions and add cocoa mixture and strawberry paste to 2 of the portions.
4. Spread one layer of batter in the tin and steam for 10 minutes. Repeat with the other 2 layers and steam for 10 minutes each. Cool the cake before cutting into pieces.