Alternative cake awards 2009
Good Food turns 20 in October 2009, and what better way to celebrate than with cake? We challenged Good Food fans to a huge bake-off - the goal was to create the ultimate birthday cake recipe.
The response was overwhelming. You replied in the hundreds, the standards were high and the competition was tough. That's why we wanted a chance to show off a few of the entries that didn't make into the top three finalists, but really did catch our eye!
Most inventive idea - Claire Owen's Mumbai cake
This sweet yet spicy cake combines an inventive mix of curry-flavoured sponge with a sticky mango chutney topping to take away the heat. We were impressed by the interesting use of unusual ingredients - and didn't feel we could let such an original idea go unnoticed.
For more spicy recipes, view our collection of curry recipes.
Most alcoholic cake - Anna Suchocka's Martini, pear & white chocolate torte
This cake is definitely one for the adults and contains two cups of Martini Bianco. A bit like having a cocktail in a cake, this recipe might leave you feeling content but woozy.
For more alcohol-inspired desserts, try our Baileys cheesecake or Boozy coffee and walnut cake.
Best comical effort - Charmaine Brown's forget-me-not cakes
These rather crisp-looking cakes were submitted with the instructions:
'Bake in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes. Check if the pastry has turned golden. If it hasn't, go and do the ironing, and forget about them. When you return there should be smoke in the kitchen and your cakes will be just as they are in the photo.'
Most likely to make your teeth tingle - Nikki Partington's cherry cola cake
This cake is for the truly sweet-toothed among us. In fact just the thought of it made our teeth tingle! We admired its brave combination of ingredients and super-sweet results.
For more cherry recipes, try our Chocolate-dipped cherry cake.
Nostalgia award - Rachel Mayson's rhubarb & custard cake
This gooey filled cake brought back fond memories of childhood trips to the sweet shop, and school puddings with pink custard.
If you fancy indulging in more school time nostalgia, try our Gooey school treacle sponge.
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