Gluten Free: Rose's Pistachio Time Vortex Cakes

At the risk of sounding like one of those “thing were better in the olden days” kind on people, my allegiance to Doctor Who is stuck in the eighties. Ace was my absolute favourite assistant. After all of Bonnie Langford’s screaming, she couldn’t fail to be the coolest person on TV. The thing is, in spite of my love for all things Baker (Colin) and McCoy as far as the Doctors go, I also have a bit of a soft spot for Rose.

Rose Tyler, the woman who helped us all forgive Billie Piper for foisting “Because We Want To” on the nation, is pretty kick-ass. She actually triggered the Doctor’s regeneration, which very few assistants actually do AND she got to snog David Tennant! Existing in two different time dimensions is kinda cool, too.

Pistachio Time Vortices (makes about 12)
You’ll need:

• 110g unsalted butter
• 110g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• a pinch salt
• 110g gluten free plain flour mix
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 100g shelled pistachios, finely chopped
• 1 tsp rosewater
• 450g tub of buttercream (Betty Crocker is gluten free, but read the label to check others)
• a few drops of pink food colouring

Make it!

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until the mixture is smooth. 
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, combining well.
4. Add the salt, flour mix and baking powder and beat the mixture until you have a sticky batter.
5. Fold in the pistachios.
6. Divide the mixture into 12 silicone cupcake cases, or into a non-stick shallow bun tray.
7. Bake for 15 minutes. Leave to cool before removing from the moulds.
8. Slice the tops off the cakes to level them out, then slice in half to make a top and bottom.
9. Beat the buttercream and rosewater together and add a dollop on the bottom halves of each cake. 
10. Press the tops on each to make a sandwich then add buttercream to the top of the cake. Smooth it out with a palette knife or butter knife.
11. Swirl a little pink food colouring on the top of each cake, using a toothpick and create your own brilliant time vortex.