Tala 10A21459 Battenberg Battenburg Cake Pan, Commercial Weight Anodised Aluminium, Silver, 20 x 15 x 4cm (8 x 6 x 1.5")

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Use the paper/foil to line the base of the tin and the 2 sides that aren’t already lined, making sure the ridge is exactly at the halfway point in the tin. This will enable you to cook the 2 different coloured sponges at the same time.

Orange zest: Try and get unwaxed oranges, the wax used is often not vegan and probably isn't good to eat. To assemble the cake, first place one sponge on top of the other and trim off the crusty edges so they are both the same size. Cut the sponges in half lengthways to make four long rectangles. You use jam to sandwich together the cake layers. I like to use apricot, but if I'm making raspberry cakes (see below) I use raspberry jam. Cherry is another nice option. Another option, if you have them, is to use two 2-lb loaf tins to make the cakes separately. Trimming the cakesYou start with two rectangular cakes about 10x20 cm (4x8 inches). Trim the edges if necessary to get a consistent height across the cake. These are the trimmings from the cake made in two loaf tins. Easy Battenberg Cake trimmings, from 2 loaf tin cakes Getting the marzipan on straight You need a tin or two. If you have 2 2-lb loaf tins that is probably the easiest option. Otherwise a 20cm (8-inch) square cake tin or traybake tin will work. I line this with a baking parchment square so that the cake comes out easily.

Brush the long side of one of the sponges with jam and sandwich together with a sponge of a contrasting colour. Do the same with the other two sponges.Make a divider for your square tin out of foil and separate the colours, which TBH I find a bit of a faff - but craft stuff isn't really my thing. Heat the apricot jam with 1 tablespoon of cold water then push it through a sieve to make a smooth puree. Brush one long side of a pink strip very lightly with jam and set it jam-side down on one short side of the marzipan rectangle, lined up next to the edge. Brush the three other long sides of this piece of cake lightly with jam. My preference is to just bake both colours side-by-side in a square tin. They don't really run into each other and you will have to trim the cakes anyway. Keep it simple! Heat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Cut a sheet of baking paper so it’s 38cm long (usually the width of the roll) and 20cm wide (the width of your tin). Use it to line the base and 2 sides of the greased tin, then grease the paper with butter. PRO TIP To get a lovely neat battenberg you'll need to trim of the ends. Be sure to save them too - they're the cooks treat!!