Fairtrade Big Bake Fair Challenge: Fairtrade Cinnamon and Raisin Cake

 This weekend we joined in the Big Fair Bake Challenge. Baking with Fairtrade ingredients is one easy way for everyone to make a difference to millions of people who desperately need a better deal from trade.  Without a fair price for the crops they grow, many farmers struggle to support their families.  Fairtrade offers farmers and workers the safety net of a fair price today and a little extra to invest in projects which benefit the whole community, such as clean water, education and health care.

The Big Fair Bake is part of the year-long Take-a-Step campaign, which aims to get the UK to take a total of 1.5 million steps for Fairtrade in 2012, a step for every farmer and worker in the Fairtrade system.  A step can be small, like switching your tea to Fairtrade or baking with Fairtrade ingredients or a larger one like holding an event.  Every single one counts, because together they lead to life-changing projects in developing countries.

As part of the campaign, Tots100 invited bloggers to develop a baking creation inspired by one (or more) of the following Fairtrade certified ingredients:

Honey
Chocolate (or Cocoa powder)
Raisins
Coffee
Bananas
Cinnamon
Apricots
Ginger
Brazil Nuts

                                       

 I supported the Fairtrade cause by baking my creation; which is Fairtrade Cinnamon and Raisin Cake.  This is a thoroughly gorgeous cake that is very moist and tasty.  The cinnamon and raisins work perfectly together and it is the perfect cake to accompany a cup of Fairtrade tea.

To make the cake you will need:

1/2 teaspoon of Fairtrade ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons of Fairtrade caster sugar
4 tablespoons of Fairtrade brown sugar

110g butter
55g  Fairtrade raisins
pinch salt
125g plain flour
130ml soured cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda

Step 1: Preheat oven to 180C/Gas 4.  Grease a 20cm round tin.

Step 2: In a bowl mix together the Fairtrade ground cinnamon, Fairtrade caster sugar and Fairtrade brown sugar; set aside.

Step 3: In a separate bowl cream together the butter and 4 tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar (that you mixed in step 2).  Keep mixing until light and fluffy.  Then beat in the egg, soured cream and vanilla extract.  In a separate bowl mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt.  Then add in to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Step 4:  Spread half of the batter in the greased tin and then tip on the raisins.  Sprinkle half of the remaining cinnamon sugar on the raisins and then add the rest of the batter, ensuring that all the raisins are covered with the cake batter.  When all of the batter is in the tin, scatter the remaining cinnamon sugar on the top of the cake.

Step 5:  Bake in a preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes.

Step 6 : Enjoy with a cup of Fairtrade tea!

 The cake is simply delicious!  It is perfectly moist with a delicious sugary cinnamon crust!  The raisins adding just the perfect blend of fruitiness.

It's a nice feeling to think that we are supporting the Fairtrade cause in some small way as well.

My little boy enjoying the cake!

To find out how you can help please visit http://step.fairtrade.org.uk//get-involved/campaign/the-big-fair-bake/