A special-occasion cake with a gorgeous crunchy topping

A cake worthy of afternoon tea to serve loved ones

Credit : Haarala Hamilton and Valerie Berry

Diana Henry

The Telegraph's award-winning cookery writer

Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.

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Published 30 April 2026 3:44pm BST

This is a cake to make for afternoon tea or to serve after dinner with cream. I started out thinking of it as a showstopper – two layers, cream as well as caramel – but I’m ultimately someone who ends up making things simpler. This could look grander and be more blousy but its flavour wouldn’t be improved.…