WILL’S FAKE CAKE

DIFFICULTY

FEEDS

A familiar face with a very surprising stuffing

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE BRIOCHE BOY

7 tablespoons warm water

1 teaspoon dried yeast

2 tablespoons warm milk

1 tablespoon superfine sugar

2¼ cups strong bread flour (look for high-gluten flour), plus extra for dusting

½ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 egg yolk (for glazing)

TO DECORATE

9 ounces milk chocolate

Black food coloring

Blue fondant

1 packet white marshmallows

You will need:

Piping bag and nozzle

DIRECTIONS

TO MAKE THE BRIOCHE BOY

Mix the warm water, yeast, warm milk, and sugar in a bowl. Let it stand for 5 minutes until it begins to froth up. Mix the flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl, and rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and the beaten egg.

Use your hands to knead into a very sticky dough, adding just enough flour to make it workable. Tip the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead well for 10 minutes until it feels a little elastic—it will still be very sticky at this stage, but don’t be tempted to add too much flour. Place the dough into an oiled bowl, cover with cling film, and set aside to rise for 2 to 3 hours or until doubled in size.

Tip out onto the floured work surface and knead again for 2 minutes. The dough should be much less sticky now, but add a little flour if it needs it. Press the dough out into a rectangle roughly 10 x 6 inches. Using a sharp knife, cut out the shape of the boy, using a round cutter for the head, held at an angle so as not to sever it from his body at the neck.

Place him onto a greased baking sheet, cover lightly with oiled cling film, and leave for about 1 hour or until doubled in size again.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Beat the egg yolk with a little water and brush it over the brioche shape. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until golden, then place on a rack to cool. Once cooled, flip over the brioche figure and get a sharp knife ready. Take a deep breath, because this next part is going to be unpleasant. Ready?

Cut out the back of the torso and remove some of the brioche. Insert as many marshmallows as you can before replacing the back and carefully turn the brioche figure over, keeping the back intact. Use the knife to cut a hole in the front of the figure and carefully tease out some of the marshmallows so they stick out.

TO MAKE THE HAIR

Melt the chocolate in a bowl suspended over a pan of simmering water (do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water), allow it to cool a little, and then add it to the piping bag and nozzle. Begin piping the strands of hair. Use a paintbrush to apply the black food coloring for the eyes and mouth. Roll out the fondant—using flour both on the surface and on the rolling pin—and shape into the blanket as shown.

Tease out the stuffing with a mixture of relief and horror, as you realize those pesky kids might be on to something.…