National Trust Gardens Podcast | Pelargoniums

Enjoy these classic episodes from our pilot series. For deeper dives into history, nature and adventure be sure to check out our most recent episodes. In this mini episode, gardener and host Alan power discovers why a walled garden at Stourhead is home to a superb collection of pelargoniums and find out a tasty way they can be used in the kitchen to bake a Geranium Cake. Discover more For information about visiting Stourhead please visit https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/stourhead Geranium Cake Recipe Serves: 8  Cook Time: 50 minutes  Prep Time: 25 minutes  Effort: easy INGREDIENTS  6-8 rose geranium leaves  240g butter  240g caster sugar  4 eggs  140g self-raising flour 120 g semolina  Caster sugar, for dusting  Fresh cream and rose petals, to serve. METHOD  Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. Grease and line a 23cm spring-form cake tin with baking parchment.  Lay the geranium leaves around the base of the tin, upside down, stalk-end pointing towards the centre of the tin.  Cream together the butter and sugar until very pale and fluffy, and then gradually beat in the eggs, a little at a time.  Fold in the flour and semolina. Spoon the cake mixture into the tin, taking care not to disturb the leaves. Bake in the centre of the oven, for about 45-50 minutes, until the cake is firm but springy to the touch.  Take the cake out of the oven, release the spring clip and carefully remove the sides of the tin. Turn the cake gently over onto a cooling rack set over a plate, bottom side up and carefully remove the base of the tin and the baking parchment.  Leave until completely cold, dust with caster sugar, and serve with fresh cream and rose petals. Follow the National Trust Podcast on your favourite podcast app. If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at [email protected]