TV show star Mak bakes his favourite cake for all to enjoy

Maybe I have mentioned this before, but I cannot get enough of social history.

I studied it at school and college and to an extent it has shaped me into who I am.

What particularly impresses me is how the North West of England has been the epicentre of the advancement of social justice.

Only a few years ago we acknowledged the bicentennial of the Peterloo Massacre (1819) which foreshadowed much of the upheaval of the 19th Century.

The corruption and injustice of government was laid bare.

Working class had to endure humiliating low pay in the most abhorrent of conditions.

We can flag-wave all we want for clout the North West had during the Industrial Revolution but it came at a cost to society.

The wealth rarely filtered down.

To re-educate myself on the role of everyday people in demanding change for justice, fair pay and working conditions and universal suffrage I visited the People’s History Museum in Manchester.

The People's History Museum in Manchester

It was a grimy bank holiday and a new monarch had a multi-million pound crown freshly perched on his head.

Looking at the exhibits it filled me with humbleness that men, women and children endured so much hardship in the past to effect social and employment change we all take for granted. Another thing I also realised; oppression of the masses has always been with the backing of government.

Inside the People's History Museum in Manchester

Inside the People's History Museum in Manchester

Inside the People's History Museum in Manchester

Inside the People's History Museum in Manchester

A visit to the People’s History Museum is very highly recommended. And it’s free. Win, win.

Time for a U-turn and turning towards the pleasures of life.

People ask me what my favourite cake is and without hesitation I say Coffee and Walnut cake.

OK, I may have also said Chocolate Fudge Cake sometimes but coffee and walnut cake is up there also and I am sharing my easy-to-follow- recipe; you lucky people.

It’s a classic traybake, ideal for impressing large gatherings.

Coffee and Walnut Traybake

Prep time: 15 mins. Cook time: 35 mins. Makes 21 squares, or one big one!

Equipment: 30 x 23cm roasting tin

Preparation for Mak's delicious dessert

The cake

225g margarine

225g light brown sugar (or dark brown. Up to you)

275g Self Raising flour

2 tsp baking powder

4 Eggs

2 Tbsp Milk

1 x instant coffee essence (1 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water)

75g of Walnuts, coarsely chopped

Mak's walnut delight

For the Icing

75 g soft margarine

225g icing sugar, sifted

1 tbsp milk

1 x instant coffee essence (1 tsp instant coffee dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water)

Handful of Chopped walnuts to top.

Method

1. Grease and line the roasting tin with greaseproof paper. Turn oven onto 180°C Fan.

2. Mix all the cake ingredients in a large bowl for 2 minutes. Turn out into the roasting tin and level off. Bake for 35 minutes, there or thereabouts. The cake is done when the edges start to shrink for the side and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the tin.

3. Mix the margarine, icing sugar, milk and coffee essence. Beat thoroughly. Should be a thick, whipped cream consistency. When the cake has cooled spread the coffee icing. Decorate with the chopped walnuts. Cut into squares and serve.

Mak's walnut delight

A very easy recipe which can be made with nuts of your choice. Keeps well for a few days, covered.

Oh, on a final note, I became a grandad this week. A beautiful baby boy. Welcome to the world.