Step 1
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease and line a 10-inch square baking tin.
Step 2
Melt the water and white chocolate together until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool completely to room temperature.
Step 3
Beat the unsalted butter and white sugar until light, pale, and creamy.
Step 4
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla essence.
Step 5
Sift together the maida, vanilla custard powder, baking powder, and baking soda.
Step 6
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, adding the fresh cream while mixing. Mix only until everything is well combined.
Step 7
Pour in the cooled white chocolate mixture and gently fold until the batter is smooth and uniform. Do not overmix.
Step 8
Transfer the batter into the prepared 10-inch square baking tin and level the surface.
Step 9
Bake at 180°C for 40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 10
Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10–15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 11
Slice and serve. The cake will have a soft, moist crumb with enough structure for clean, neat slices.