Ale Cake with Golden Syrup Cream

Cakes made using ale or beer are a strong part of the British tradition – there’s a porter or stout cake in Ireland, for instance. The ale used here can be whatever you choose – a light ale will give you a milder flavour, but a strong stout like Guinness will make it richer.

One of the secrets to eating this cake at its absolute best is to bake it, let it rest and relax for 30–40 minutes, and then serve it just warm. As the syrup cream is spooned on top, it begins to melt, almost tu