Step 1

Preheat oven to 170°C/340°F. Grease a deep 22cm (9in) round cake pan; line base and side with baking paper.

Step 2

Beat butter and caster sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until pale and creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla paste. Add sifted flour, baking powder and salt then buttermilk; beat until just combined. Fold through the beetroot. Spread mixture into pan; smooth the surface. Spoon cherry jam on top; swirl through with a butter knife.

Step 3

Bake cake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool cake in pan.

Step 4

Meanwhile, to make pink meringue buttercream; place egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Whisk constantly for 10 minutes or until mixture reaches 70°C/158°F on a sugar thermometer and sugar is completely dissolved. Transfer mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk mixture for 5 minutes or until thick and glossy and cooled to room temperature. Gradually add butter, one piece at a time, whisking well after each addition, until all butter is incorporated and mixture is pale and smooth. Whisk in rosewater and colouring.

Step 5

Spread buttercream on cooled cake; top with cherries and peppercorns. Dust with sifted icing sugar.