A decadent afternoon tea cake from Matt Stone's book The Natural Cook featuring fragrant lemon myrtle and Australian macadamias.  A very simple recipe that is dense and aromatic - we suggest serving this cake warm with hot cup of tea.  

Ingredients:

Method:

Preheat the oven to 160˚C. Grease a 20cm round cake tin and line the base and side with baking paper.

Spread the macadamia nuts evenly on a baking tray and roast for 12 minutes, or until golden brown, then set aside to cool.  Turn the oven up to 170˚C.

Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth.  Add the sugar and cream the two ingredients for 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy.  Add 1 egg at a time, making sure the previous one is incorporated before adding the next.  Beat for a further 5 minutes.

In a food processor, blitz the macadamia nuts to form a rough breadcrumb consistency.  Add the remaining ingredients, except the edible flowers, and the nuts to the butter mixture and beat until smooth.  Pour into the cake tin and bake for 40–45 minutes, or until lightly golden.  Gently press on the top of the cake – if it bounces back, it’s ready. Remove from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool further.

To make the icing, fill a medium saucepan one-third full of water and place over medium heat.  Bring to a light simmer.  Put the egg whites and sugar into a stainless steel bowl.  Using a whisk, briefly mix until the sugar has been incorporated.  Place the bowl over the simmering water to create a double boiler and, stirring constantly, heat the mixture until the sugar has dissolved.

Using an electric mixer or hand-held electric beaters, whisk the egg mixture at high speed for 10–12 minutes; it will become white, glossy and thick.  Keep whisking until the mixture is cool.

Switch to a paddle attachment if you have one, then mix on medium speed, adding the butter in four batches.  Beat until thick and creamy, then add the lemon myrtle and stir until combined.  Spatula onto the cake with enthusiasm and decorate with edible flowers, if using.