Honey roast parsnip cake

Ingredients

• 250-300g parsnips (about 180g after peeling and cutting)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp milk
• 110g softened butter
• 175g light soft brown sugar, sieved
• 175g self-raising flour
• 3 large eggs 
• 1 tsp baking powder

For the filling & topping

• 125g mascarpone
• 2 tbsp icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
• 4-6 tbsp honey
• Parsnip crisps (optional)

Method

Heat the oven to 200C. Peel and chop your parsnips then lightly oil (I use coconut oil; any type will work but not one with a strong olive flavour, for example) and place them on a baking tray. Roast for 40-45 mins, drizzling 1 tbsp honey over for the last 10 mins, until they’re cooked through and very golden at the edges. Leave to cool for 5-10 mins then transfer to a food processor and add 1 tbsp honey. Blitz for about 30 secs, scrape down the sides, add 2 tbsp milk and then blitz again until you have a coarse puree – it does not need to be perfectly smooth. You should end up with about 130-140g puree.

Grease and line two 18cm round cake tins and turn the oven down to 170C.

Put all of the cake ingredients, including the parsnip puree, into a large bowl and mix using an electric whisk until thoroughly (but only just) combined. It will be a slightly thicker mixture than a normal sponge cake and you’ll be able to see little flecks of parsnip. Divide the mixture evenly between the tins and bake for 25-30 mins until they’re risen, golden in colour and spring back to the touch. Leave in the tins for 1 min or so, run a knife around the edges and turn onto a cooling rack. Peel off the lining paper and leave to cool completely.

Beat together the mascarpone, icing sugar and 2 tbsp honey until just combined, smooth and thick. Spread 1-2 tbsp honey onto each sponge, then the mascarpone on top of one. Put the other sponge, honey-side down, on top of the mascarpone and dust the top of the cake with a little icing sugar. Top with parsnip crisps, if using.

The cake will keep well, kept cool, for 2-3 days. Make sure you bring it back to room temperature to eat so you get maximum flavour!

Image: David Griffen