Paan Gulkand Cake

Ingredients

• 1Basic vanilla sponge (see recipe), 8-inch
• 1/2 cupVanilla soaking syrup (see recipe)
• 1/2 cupMeetha paan or gulkand
• 1/2 tspPaan essence
• 2 cupsWhipped cream
• a few dropsGreen food colour
• 3 tbspGulkand (for filling)
• 1 tbspSlivered pistachios
• 1 sheetEdible silver vark (optional)

Method

1. 1

   Mix half the whipped cream with paan essence and a few drops of green food colour.

2. 2

   Slice the vanilla sponge into 3 layers.

3. 3

   Soak each layer with syrup. Spread a layer of green paan cream and a thin layer of gulkand on each.

4. 4

   Stack the layers. Crumb-coat with plain white whipped cream. Chill 15 minutes.

5. 5

   Apply a final coat of green paan cream. Smooth the sides.

6. 6

   Top with slivered pistachios and (if you have it) a sheet of edible silver vark for the showpiece look.