Seasalt Nourish: Blue River Table’s ginger cake with orange buttercream

Charlotte and Jess share their delicious recipe for this zesty bite-sized cake. Perfect for riverside picnics and Jubilee street parties.


On bright summer days you’ll find Charlotte and Jess of Blue River Table floating through the little creeks of Cornwall’s River Fal, serving seasonal food aboard their lovingly restored boat Tethra.

When we recently caught up to chat friendship, local food and the beauty of the River Fal, they were kind enough to share one of their favourite recipes. Perfect for Jubilee street parties and riverside picnics, these sweet and sticky bite-sized ginger cakes have a moreish zesty kick.

Charlotte and Jess wear our Sailor Top in Falmouth Breton Chalk Midnight

Bite-sized Ginger Cakes with Orange Buttercream

 

Ingredients

For the cake

  • 175g butter 
  • 175g soft brown sugar 
  • 175g golden syrup 
  • 200ml milk 
  • 2 eggs (whisked) 
  • 325g self-raising flour 
  • 2 tbsp fresh ginger 
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 

For the buttercream

  • 3 tbsp butter (softened) 
  • 125g icing sugar 
  • 2 tbsp orange juice 
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract  
  • 1 tsp orange zest (one orange) 
  • Extra zest to decorate 

 Method 

  1. Preheat your oven to gas mark 2, or 150°C. 
  2. While the oven heats, melt the butter, sugar, and golden syrup in a high-sided pan over the hob. 
  3. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in you milk and whisked eggs.  
  4. Combine your flour, ginger, and bicarbonate of soda, then pour in your other ingredients and mix. 
  5. Bake in a 30 x 20cm tin for 40 minutes. 
  6. To decorate your cake, cream the softened butter for your icing, then add the icing sugar until it has a fluffy consistency. 
  7. Beat in the orange juice, vanilla extract and 3 tbsp of zest. 
  8. Allow the cake to cool, then cut out little bite-sized rounds with a small, circular cutter. Top with buttercream and sprinkle with orange zest. 

To learn more about Charlotte and Jess, or book a dining experience with Blue River Table head to their website.