Quick Layer Cake

Want to create a dessert that looks good but you don't wanna spend a lot of time. This one is perfect... I was left with a vanilla sponge cake mix nearing expiration and wanted to make it look different than just the regular, run of the mill sponge cake. The trick with this one is you can use what you have at home and make it look special. I am listing what I've used for this cake.

It looks like a long recipe but it took me not more than 20 mins for the entire thing.

INGREDIENTS

• Cake mix
  
• Whipped cream - 1 cup (depends on the size of the cake)
• Cocoa powder - 2 tbsp
• mixed nuts - half - 1 cup (I used pistachios, almonds and walnuts)
• Few walnuts or cashews for topping
• Sugar for caramelizing - about half cup

METHOD

• Prepare the cake mix as per instructions on the pack. 
• When you put it in the oven don't put in the round tin unless you are good at cutting layers. I spread about 1 cm thick mix on greased baking paper set on a tray. This will bake faster and you can cut it in the shape you like and the size you like. This took me about 10 mins to bake in a non fan forced oven at 180 degrees 
• Once its cooked set in aside for it to cool. 
• In the time the cake is getting done and cooled... blend the cocoa powder with the whipped cream to give you chocolate cream. This you can use for filling the layers. 
• Lightly roast the mixed nuts and grind to a coarse powder. To add some flavour to the layers. 
• With the nuts for topping. Spread it on a sheet of baking paper. 
• Caramelize quarter of the sugar in a pan once it starts going lightly brown pour it on the nuts and coat it well with the sugar syrup. 
• Then cut it in circles with a lid. Obviously there will be left over pieces. I used an egg ring to make smaller layers. You can use a cookie cutter or go free hand. The shape of the cake is your choice. 
• The smaller pieces can be used as decoration and / or a separate cake for office or for kids 
• I used some for the smaller pieces for decoration... Caramelised some more sugar and poured it on top of some of the smaller pieces of cake. Let the sugar syrup cool... Cut that into quarters 
• Once all your elements are ready assemble it. 
• One layer of cake... some chocolate cream to spread... sprinkle the roasted nuts... next layer... repeat. 
• For the top layer... Line up the caramelized walnuts / cashews then in between them place the quartered caramelized cake. You can also sprinkle any extra grounded nuts you have. 
• Finish it with a cherries or berries on top! 

VARIATIONS

• You could use fruit pieces instead of nuts 
• You could make your own sponge cake if you like or want a vegetarian option or even buy a sponge cake and cut it into layers 
• You could use ice cream instead of whipped cream for filling in a layers 
• If you are a fan of a lil alcohol in your dessert you could use a liquor in your layers.