Candy Cake

Candy Cake is a holiday bake with one clear idea: the topping is the point. The cake underneath is a straightforward sponge, and the recipe spends its effort on what goes on top — colourful candies, sugar gems and chocolate cake balls piled onto the frosting until the cake looks like a party on a plate.

It belongs to the Baby Hazel series of kitchen games, which walk you through a recipe one stage at a time. You mix, bake, cool and then decorate, with the game pointing at the next thing to pick up. Nothing is hidden and there is no clever twist; the satisfaction is in watching a plain cake turn festive.

The recipe is framed around Christmas and around cooking for family, so it suits younger players or anyone who wants a short, calm session. The cake balls are the only part that asks for a little extra work, since they are shaped separately before they go on.

1. Measure and mix the cake batter.
2. Bake the sponge and let it cool.
3. Cover it with frosting.
4. Roll the chocolate cake balls and arrange them with the candies and gems on top.

Place the cake balls first and fill the gaps with smaller candies afterwards. The big pieces decide the layout; the sprinkles and gems are there to finish it.