tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72191382620828385872024-03-14T13:06:42.886+00:00Mrs B's BakingUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-6143413575422321982010-01-01T09:14:00.004+00:002010-03-17T18:59:36.466+00:00Happy New Year and Farewell!Happy new year everyone! Hope you all had a good one! I've decided to give up my baking blog, i've been thinking of it for a while now and as it's a new year and new start etc i think now is the perfect time! Thank you so much to everyone for all your lovely comments and support over the past two years; you've all been lovely - i will of course still be reading your blogs and i will still be baking from time to time but i'm going to focus on my career and i've decided to take up some new hobbies running and knitting! So farewell, so long and see you around! Mrs B!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0Z4paK-SsKjch99KvCVtKHVDQUwKq1FjDriolOzPQI6jpkat63AZBfdgINRjEhALyNCGLIMm1d-kCBKSC92YPvF1-acKKsLz1yxHdfs-gG4sJC8q54PJflxg7p39Z0CWln-YwCNPK2w/s1600-h/P1010412.JPG"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-14917063078143461782009-12-20T09:53:00.015+00:002009-12-20T10:31:46.805+00:00The wedding cake and other bakes!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivv3zWN8D88REtQpVRNz8VLdLvzNBOjlo9wCZmx3mUjYUeaS0eSfbC3Jc-cwfff7fE5AWyiEwuiGrT-WTeALR0fHWxKE9O7ahaldS5qM0QodVE9NiZ0Lihs5qQz6qHMMudw8YkYwIjmg/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivv3zWN8D88REtQpVRNz8VLdLvzNBOjlo9wCZmx3mUjYUeaS0eSfbC3Jc-cwfff7fE5AWyiEwuiGrT-WTeALR0fHWxKE9O7ahaldS5qM0QodVE9NiZ0Lihs5qQz6qHMMudw8YkYwIjmg/s400/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417261602311976610" border="0" /></a>I haven't blogged for what feels like ages, so i thought i'd just post everything i've been up to in one go! It's been busy, i moved house and absolutely love living outside of London in the countryside, i went to America on holiday, i made a wedding cake and a got a new job all in the space of 4 months! Phew! Well, i promised pictures of the cake and here it is, their wedding day was just so beautiful; making this cake was one of the hardest challenges i've ever done! It was 4 tiers, one fruit, one sponge, one chocolate and one chocolate fudge! All iced in ivory sugarpaste and dotted with purple butterflies and finished with ribbon!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb84BHlbibE7Yoa5TnDUfOj-LQtOsK2ReTc-KGXuHalryjIg-sua69VOQEL-yTkKNzzztpLwmbB7d1VzfKOMIplsyu5pHhTd7DkXbZ-BGvY-HHIlIL8gV8LibJA4FGgJ-jj73R5LtX5j4/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb84BHlbibE7Yoa5TnDUfOj-LQtOsK2ReTc-KGXuHalryjIg-sua69VOQEL-yTkKNzzztpLwmbB7d1VzfKOMIplsyu5pHhTd7DkXbZ-BGvY-HHIlIL8gV8LibJA4FGgJ-jj73R5LtX5j4/s400/015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417260855511288322" border="0" /></a>From afar!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJQLh6BnOaeLd5SbeXpLKInO66DFeYV3coJ5RIdxEf4NzWfzxFdy_GYk6P8SyG9HhKsYEFKGvNY8K1hVe_zaaoHH9Lyxm8IsVCzNc9EnLkzvp5ZwtazsQfg6pZxGpQCI12H4Fj9GYnds/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJQLh6BnOaeLd5SbeXpLKInO66DFeYV3coJ5RIdxEf4NzWfzxFdy_GYk6P8SyG9HhKsYEFKGvNY8K1hVe_zaaoHH9Lyxm8IsVCzNc9EnLkzvp5ZwtazsQfg6pZxGpQCI12H4Fj9GYnds/s400/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417260354761734242" border="0" /></a>All boxed up and ready to go...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiTXAIJslu0KmFFMHvBH5w0zvylYkiTzg1yngslYKSseVOKjVKT7-s63LvtKmcgn_Wkwjx3WPPlIKCt-BfRodv2PGSAyWLNYknOeBntxTSHQZu3bTojQTSy8wEFT1jXf_7whl8IPbaQU/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiTXAIJslu0KmFFMHvBH5w0zvylYkiTzg1yngslYKSseVOKjVKT7-s63LvtKmcgn_Wkwjx3WPPlIKCt-BfRodv2PGSAyWLNYknOeBntxTSHQZu3bTojQTSy8wEFT1jXf_7whl8IPbaQU/s400/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417259836669171458" border="0" /></a>All 4 tiers iced and finished...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOq1DqQfqebvUsePMU1G5sGXx9eSh_vgUsTMOcbygGUbQ4jMGxpsFc0n5eIvcYACHAr0w5jEWfQeTDy5hyphenhyphenZX66mADIHL2VNj-bJ1TIIxRlNtCWg6QjpkJY7RyHgV9JnNbNagLI0hnF74/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOq1DqQfqebvUsePMU1G5sGXx9eSh_vgUsTMOcbygGUbQ4jMGxpsFc0n5eIvcYACHAr0w5jEWfQeTDy5hyphenhyphenZX66mADIHL2VNj-bJ1TIIxRlNtCWg6QjpkJY7RyHgV9JnNbNagLI0hnF74/s400/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417259277212416066" border="0" /></a>The bottom tier...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxb0wFnv8a29TbbSUvJFQu_axJM1wFX1_sJIXu350zYwX_xbkhxpPysaWDz_88rUD1J-V0wZHhKoa1UrsZrIq7MVuK0pUwVIeSw6hW601rEu2e-TC11492wtcuRciV_xG4Ul6hE6DrlC0/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxb0wFnv8a29TbbSUvJFQu_axJM1wFX1_sJIXu350zYwX_xbkhxpPysaWDz_88rUD1J-V0wZHhKoa1UrsZrIq7MVuK0pUwVIeSw6hW601rEu2e-TC11492wtcuRciV_xG4Ul6hE6DrlC0/s400/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417258088964445330" border="0" /></a>The second largest tier; vanilla sponge cake with buttercream and jam, being covered in buttercream ready for the sugarpaste...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgsLFWj15gmT9i-DXD42dg6jBY-19_uMiJfcqKf5qqeMCY6j4RuNv6l3zCANugnQncn1OvE5FhyphenhyphenkZdCHP9FkBWouUvOtPZsNZSVMcjD2PEgaYakpOmMCoWCsnrvZrNTMeQl5ErVWJQeQ/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgsLFWj15gmT9i-DXD42dg6jBY-19_uMiJfcqKf5qqeMCY6j4RuNv6l3zCANugnQncn1OvE5FhyphenhyphenkZdCHP9FkBWouUvOtPZsNZSVMcjD2PEgaYakpOmMCoWCsnrvZrNTMeQl5ErVWJQeQ/s400/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417257567652660594" border="0" /></a>The bottom tier just marizpaned...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY90aiuVax7XfXkbbFq_ICDM-bSmSBpKFS0z85PKuMuOIw49lxENq0KztIdJJhywdHlmy9RgvFbN3CM491UoRaR6-tEmMCfwsMhsAc_vwqQaE9yBwjQ4T_UmfqgtM-cREGewggwOi3oY/s1600-h/march+09+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdY90aiuVax7XfXkbbFq_ICDM-bSmSBpKFS0z85PKuMuOIw49lxENq0KztIdJJhywdHlmy9RgvFbN3CM491UoRaR6-tEmMCfwsMhsAc_vwqQaE9yBwjQ4T_UmfqgtM-cREGewggwOi3oY/s400/march+09+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417256819507624754" border="0" /></a>Some carrot cakes I made - they look pretty but the recipe I followed wasn't that great...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwqJrUmxfqqQM9zvDPUw-Sx2yeqWa1wlLrWoc233_c63dImtPJZBAejbhz9EToXiYushKW6BVciQZuFYl6t1VhfO_98m1pLg880b2f42Ak1tfOB5YhhPlt1ycbBmYDu1NnCD6s8qR0ro/s1600-h/banana+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwqJrUmxfqqQM9zvDPUw-Sx2yeqWa1wlLrWoc233_c63dImtPJZBAejbhz9EToXiYushKW6BVciQZuFYl6t1VhfO_98m1pLg880b2f42Ak1tfOB5YhhPlt1ycbBmYDu1NnCD6s8qR0ro/s400/banana+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417256419816135442" border="0" /></a>A delicious banana cake; it tasted like heaven and healthy too...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKIhnS-Ed3pt2COpHz60XJSICilMu2EU0ftyPPvjNhUsMW-DTbKaarxO87jld5sgNqRpaG1SXcTzvWC-OTch8aDtZlX193fAq8KQI4yqz9wkDnmoZd9Ux878xwKb8Hx_gEMlpXAX_GZM/s1600-h/march+09+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKIhnS-Ed3pt2COpHz60XJSICilMu2EU0ftyPPvjNhUsMW-DTbKaarxO87jld5sgNqRpaG1SXcTzvWC-OTch8aDtZlX193fAq8KQI4yqz9wkDnmoZd9Ux878xwKb8Hx_gEMlpXAX_GZM/s400/march+09+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417256038524728322" border="0" /></a>Energy bars with cranberries and seeds for work...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQIvgoSB3O_sEO-j0_YxMcPEmvc0atV1b6nYl2Lymnq7qHE59q1zQqYJxALYs7C0Gvbir5y8UyVJ-WmqL_abEM5sHBIusRR249cXZ14-6zAR8WUktJWUMY7GkngrsK9Vdd8EKG0CqDZc/s1600-h/may+09+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQIvgoSB3O_sEO-j0_YxMcPEmvc0atV1b6nYl2Lymnq7qHE59q1zQqYJxALYs7C0Gvbir5y8UyVJ-WmqL_abEM5sHBIusRR249cXZ14-6zAR8WUktJWUMY7GkngrsK9Vdd8EKG0CqDZc/s400/may+09+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417255790501986226" border="0" /></a>Some cupcakes I made for a charity fundraiser...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU63iSx3a1ZlE1x7M_RcYSVgSChnT6FspeQ0ZgVUMq1_Fu8Vjymb61cLda9GGF0neVelqfxNk0v9ywK4CDCAY8ZA9cmg3anDr92rFQRuGoZpwySdDoAgPcMSxMUI40enhSuPILCz1Vibk/s1600-h/nec+pics+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU63iSx3a1ZlE1x7M_RcYSVgSChnT6FspeQ0ZgVUMq1_Fu8Vjymb61cLda9GGF0neVelqfxNk0v9ywK4CDCAY8ZA9cmg3anDr92rFQRuGoZpwySdDoAgPcMSxMUI40enhSuPILCz1Vibk/s400/nec+pics+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417255508303359282" border="0" /></a>My lovely friend's birthday cake-stars...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrnWCjLwew4P1s_96WgagmUVOlYfzYpmSwdKxjugDi7jT_G6ajdzVtCaFreYkx7HhM9zrrn8YP-hCTI_9VEkEgoagvYyHw7PEYez-ZuxkX6G1zMVTlZLq4KhqqusStEcGaGbOWPbMCzM/s1600-h/nec+pics+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjrnWCjLwew4P1s_96WgagmUVOlYfzYpmSwdKxjugDi7jT_G6ajdzVtCaFreYkx7HhM9zrrn8YP-hCTI_9VEkEgoagvYyHw7PEYez-ZuxkX6G1zMVTlZLq4KhqqusStEcGaGbOWPbMCzM/s400/nec+pics+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417254996222077186" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-36960552026982070232009-08-05T18:54:00.006+01:002009-08-05T19:06:58.001+01:00Chocolate cupcakes to match<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTULEDEx-osNZfF8ki51FmA-bUizhvftutzujmaOnLtp1DE87GulD1dvFtHYG13JTaqbPFZkJlm6CP0i7LqqbbRTooo893e3dympQZcKSIa79gJkUcmqDs8Px8xrBOYU8tBo4VFMNcxQg/s1600-h/cakes+n+glasto+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTULEDEx-osNZfF8ki51FmA-bUizhvftutzujmaOnLtp1DE87GulD1dvFtHYG13JTaqbPFZkJlm6CP0i7LqqbbRTooo893e3dympQZcKSIa79gJkUcmqDs8Px8xrBOYU8tBo4VFMNcxQg/s320/cakes+n+glasto+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366540514034804882" border="0" /></a>I made these cupcakes to match the birthday cake that I made for my sister. I adore the little red cupcake papers - they look so effective against the chocolate colours and I know they would be brilliant for Christmas and winter cupcakes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nwp_OKA1mbJEHPLMzaTIL-XRxC0QXV7filPc3dGXTptgG4gX91EDBtkAVvlSlgHE078xDqUunUzg7ThlWXizKS28hjsHJHyc_X2zuj_4TWCEFDrw6SobJXe0n6gHIWgx2hvXqh3IUfU/s1600-h/cakes+n+glasto+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Nwp_OKA1mbJEHPLMzaTIL-XRxC0QXV7filPc3dGXTptgG4gX91EDBtkAVvlSlgHE078xDqUunUzg7ThlWXizKS28hjsHJHyc_X2zuj_4TWCEFDrw6SobJXe0n6gHIWgx2hvXqh3IUfU/s320/cakes+n+glasto+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366540378694182290" border="0" /></a>I hand grated all the chcolate shavings using a cheese grater, it was messy but lots of fun! The cakes are chocolate with chocolate buttercream and then chocolate shavings quickly sprinkled on!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN20finRIB-jAjZ_1pBL-8FGO1W0YpTWHoiFUQFHBK-nUwWUzdr5sDB30WYxQLQRZWRyeeqKlJeBGumBDh6aftX6ONKiG23aA4ok-pWFsQ1b_4m7Vb8eINOoRR_447IyjYji_enKXMvmM/s1600-h/cakes+n+glasto+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN20finRIB-jAjZ_1pBL-8FGO1W0YpTWHoiFUQFHBK-nUwWUzdr5sDB30WYxQLQRZWRyeeqKlJeBGumBDh6aftX6ONKiG23aA4ok-pWFsQ1b_4m7Vb8eINOoRR_447IyjYji_enKXMvmM/s400/cakes+n+glasto+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366540236795903714" border="0" /></a>My camera has been broken for some time now but i'm pleased to report that I have just purchased a new one so worry not, I can keep baking and taking photos! I took part in the London Triathlon at the weekend - i entered as a team with work and did the running part dressed as a toilet! It was so much fun! That's it now though for my sporting achievements for this year! I've done the Crisis 6k, Race for Life 5k and LT 5k - what with all this running, I deserve a cake or two! I'm looking forward to spending long Sunday afternoons baking in the kitchen again rather than out running or worrying about my lack of training! Give me baking cakes anyday! xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-65847643450815070052009-07-25T19:16:00.002+01:002009-07-25T19:22:45.271+01:00roll up, roll up, read all about it...I have some great news! The first is that my lovely friends are getting married in October and I am making their wedding cake - I am so excited about this and have just been to the Squires shop in Farnham to buy some new cake tins and things, what an honour! They are having a fruit cake as the bottom tier, followed by vanilla sponge, followed by two chocolate cakes, 4 tiers in all!<br /><br />Secondly, is that (hopefully) in about 6 weeks time my husband and I are moving out of London (woop woop!) further north into the countryside to a town called St. Albans, i can't wait to be packing the boxes but even more exciting is that we are going to be living near a college that does a 20 week sugar flower course for beginners, it's a little pricey but i'll scrimp and save and sign up soon. What exciting times! It was nearly a year ago that I did a 10 week cake class and i had such a great time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-2965301350064795412009-07-19T19:52:00.005+01:002009-07-19T20:01:39.887+01:00Chocolate Birthday Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPV7VrszF3jHi1AO0ziDfcyCEzNBB0GDtBG-vtnia42nuIIVC_krErm7xlAdplMXJUAp69uSXlYfzxvKV5uWfncswA5wkvtpTA1N3LlwBm0sCFK0dwMgV3m_GkGzCTEOPd6PInfSr6tE/s1600-h/june+09+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPV7VrszF3jHi1AO0ziDfcyCEzNBB0GDtBG-vtnia42nuIIVC_krErm7xlAdplMXJUAp69uSXlYfzxvKV5uWfncswA5wkvtpTA1N3LlwBm0sCFK0dwMgV3m_GkGzCTEOPd6PInfSr6tE/s400/june+09+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360246682402020402" border="0" /></a>This is my sister's birthday cake. It's a 6inch chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream and then I bought some lovely dark and white chocolate bars and grated them to create chocolate shreads with I covered the cake in. I think it's looks really effective but to add a touch of love I swirled white melted choolate into heart shapes and stuck them on the top.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqLahb2q7jF2dzEzijYpzWYwBshTyPcWFTNbtDh_kvYvMJY45dPfEqWrQCoiw8groMmUdgqbG1S9bp2dNEiTF21ds7cU463bomC-u2zCvaze8B03oz_GshYK-KUGY4AXSHnioemndcz8/s1600-h/june+09+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqLahb2q7jF2dzEzijYpzWYwBshTyPcWFTNbtDh_kvYvMJY45dPfEqWrQCoiw8groMmUdgqbG1S9bp2dNEiTF21ds7cU463bomC-u2zCvaze8B03oz_GshYK-KUGY4AXSHnioemndcz8/s400/june+09+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360246529656613762" border="0" /></a>It's a small cake but it was the perfect size for my family to have a slice each with two slices for my sis to enjoy the next day!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRJmLW-ublHZyPwruqSX-g9Xv7BDwKosFLa8C7zZAdhcGa6zSySug2MWusSFmPiZMhgM8gagam2tIDShbNiAGdoT8MyXwRjpKQZVoLDoDTUaa1gEgdSFpTkqZVOcHcBVCo_URQVc9ORc/s1600-h/june+09+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRJmLW-ublHZyPwruqSX-g9Xv7BDwKosFLa8C7zZAdhcGa6zSySug2MWusSFmPiZMhgM8gagam2tIDShbNiAGdoT8MyXwRjpKQZVoLDoDTUaa1gEgdSFpTkqZVOcHcBVCo_URQVc9ORc/s400/june+09+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360246332348835346" border="0" /></a>I entered Race for Life today. It was in Hyde park and even though I've done quite a few charity runs I found this one particulary hard and it was only 5k but boy was it a long way! I was tired after 1k! I've spent all afternoon sat on the sofa drinking tea trying to recover from the pain! I can't work out why I was so exhausted! So I thought I'd post my chocolate cake to cheer myself up, cake always puts a smile on my face! Enjoy! xUnknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-26959514917825511602009-07-02T14:43:00.009+01:002009-07-02T15:00:29.427+01:00Mum's 60th Birthday Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-95-nkmBkdFy-VKgAPOYmniBi5JXWE0qQOCuxSPf-flXZY_wj3OPENMNVNfPjtCWz0N5r7tn4iqg6kUdeVmOOKCQTbBgY9s_gNaFubKLmD6EMllL_RDXgLIxYP2MP9RXwEOZ1t_DxwDw/s1600-h/june+09+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-95-nkmBkdFy-VKgAPOYmniBi5JXWE0qQOCuxSPf-flXZY_wj3OPENMNVNfPjtCWz0N5r7tn4iqg6kUdeVmOOKCQTbBgY9s_gNaFubKLmD6EMllL_RDXgLIxYP2MP9RXwEOZ1t_DxwDw/s400/june+09+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353861250294958018" border="0" /></a>I made this cake for my mum's 60th Birthday. I wasn't sure of a complete design when I started it but I decided on yellow butterflies and roses. It was a fruit cake (10 inch) covered in marizpan and then roll out icing. I made the roses out of sugarpaste and the butterflies out of flower paste.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAegRWG5eWAUw7mFnjHxG6ixKwp3boUQs37r7ze0bVbWJeFBgCPQ1JKZcOhU2MepbV-vkojUKAuH32fUklEacmXz0rBdIlq25znRKNh-skR8k5jZ93mAfckgAZzfV4oBlkqijachastY/s1600-h/june+09+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAegRWG5eWAUw7mFnjHxG6ixKwp3boUQs37r7ze0bVbWJeFBgCPQ1JKZcOhU2MepbV-vkojUKAuH32fUklEacmXz0rBdIlq25znRKNh-skR8k5jZ93mAfckgAZzfV4oBlkqijachastY/s320/june+09+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353860860110803410" border="0" /></a>I'm not sure how I managed to carry this cake all the way from London to Preston on the underground, train and then car but somehow I managed to get it their in one piece with all the butterflies attached.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bTuoeOwLu6NvigY65q2081FX5M292GVTXmQ5QJ7fgdHhqlbWhVgR61OcGnvaA93pgFK2pViLfNj8FKWZx05VLaaUgjH0evSXzEM7rhnmEDU6ABgtWplPge3nw-Yc2pgcrHbI15ddxnE/s1600-h/june+09+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bTuoeOwLu6NvigY65q2081FX5M292GVTXmQ5QJ7fgdHhqlbWhVgR61OcGnvaA93pgFK2pViLfNj8FKWZx05VLaaUgjH0evSXzEM7rhnmEDU6ABgtWplPge3nw-Yc2pgcrHbI15ddxnE/s400/june+09+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353860699663361282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq4Z_x49Sb9m7OrPP538IvKP58ZyQ5n6Kb8mhpHBl8ff6yPeVoKQRKWUJs37BFonSt9o1LNt4VsN8h5VBNmc8dLPjh8WHO_zVjg7DYmCjUnAWVnJlkaAuBfBvIYpnbaEx4SzKc5ASkeA/s1600-h/june+09+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBq4Z_x49Sb9m7OrPP538IvKP58ZyQ5n6Kb8mhpHBl8ff6yPeVoKQRKWUJs37BFonSt9o1LNt4VsN8h5VBNmc8dLPjh8WHO_zVjg7DYmCjUnAWVnJlkaAuBfBvIYpnbaEx4SzKc5ASkeA/s320/june+09+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353860543925110338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxHLe6rkBBKsA9TAeQYi9RI0NTmXFnSsBR3Ygli8zqWMVg64UnIWHMgVZLxc18a73eDGvQpHoI9qJBd488rxRHtwEiiPob6m14uS7Z7qRkph9jwbG3bJL87wzUKB89pXRUcBXPGMkhn8/s1600-h/june+09+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxHLe6rkBBKsA9TAeQYi9RI0NTmXFnSsBR3Ygli8zqWMVg64UnIWHMgVZLxc18a73eDGvQpHoI9qJBd488rxRHtwEiiPob6m14uS7Z7qRkph9jwbG3bJL87wzUKB89pXRUcBXPGMkhn8/s400/june+09+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353860344767511970" border="0" /></a>My mum loved it and i'm so pleased she did! She really deserved a special birthday and we had a lovely 'country living' style outdoor garden party! Happy Birthday mum!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-76868823980151055152009-06-07T13:21:00.004+01:002009-06-07T13:34:12.025+01:00Luscious Lemon Drizzle Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr9eehKbNmCvFU_5t1ShgrQldnD4sUvExojUSJRHODqrRN3S7u3h9KHjAIvOZvsTSx8K2GdBZSHw8zeKLN-oLsXNRt4sHtNJT-H61jRpUQ3oowRLPIIA-GhqGPwwQ7acLdCXwvvOCR1E/s1600-h/may+09+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr9eehKbNmCvFU_5t1ShgrQldnD4sUvExojUSJRHODqrRN3S7u3h9KHjAIvOZvsTSx8K2GdBZSHw8zeKLN-oLsXNRt4sHtNJT-H61jRpUQ3oowRLPIIA-GhqGPwwQ7acLdCXwvvOCR1E/s320/may+09+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344560511895903906" border="0" /></a>This is perfect sunshine food! Luscious lemon drizzle cake, it's easy to make, doesn't take long to cook and your friends will be swept away by the freshness and lovely deep sweet lemon flavour.<br /><br />All you need is:<br />100g/4oz butter<br />175g/6oz self - raising flour<br />1 tsp baking powder<br />175g/6oz golden caster sugar<br />2 large eggs<br />6 tbsp milk<br />finely grated rind of 1 large lemon<br /><br />For the icing:<br />juice of one large lemon (3 tbsp)<br />100g/4oz golden caster sugar<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4IqLesbm1Ufav_1dgOAq3-6ZX7iUt_pMpagTMu1i6lVRzSD0PvZmf33ttFnILZ96T8nasss9VBjUc9fN39u60c7FP4VL4Cwy1wg9G8ymxtiOWB9-2Gnjpb89FNySYaXNBpUOPhBHWOY/s1600-h/may+09+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4IqLesbm1Ufav_1dgOAq3-6ZX7iUt_pMpagTMu1i6lVRzSD0PvZmf33ttFnILZ96T8nasss9VBjUc9fN39u60c7FP4VL4Cwy1wg9G8ymxtiOWB9-2Gnjpb89FNySYaXNBpUOPhBHWOY/s320/may+09+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344560403230130418" border="0" /></a>Preheat the oven to 180c and butter and line the base of a shallow oblong tin and line the bottom with baking paper.<br /><br />Take a large bowl and mix all the ingrediants together for 2 - 3 minutes until the mixture drops easily off the back of a spoon. Pour it into the tin and smooth the surface with the back of a spoon and bake for 30 - 40 minutes until golden and a beautiful smell fills your kitchen. While its cooking, make the icing by beating together the lemon juice and sugar. Once the cake comes out of the oven, pour it over while its sill hot and let it soak into the cake. Leave to cool.<br /><br />Cut into squares and serve with iced home made lemonade! Summer bliss!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-67712250829248530982009-05-24T13:33:00.007+01:002009-05-24T13:47:57.472+01:00Lemon Cupcakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJRq2kGRABhMiR0mrbA6c_hKnmiiFdj5Z7lafcJeWo1sf8DBUK8iwGPudd0ecDgEHJVGJGq4J3gKj6o9k9JM1rlVgrcxbLWq1mgdkdcZUScu1UwD7Mx28TFt883Lmw46EvlWJy0BBzfo/s1600-h/may+09+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJRq2kGRABhMiR0mrbA6c_hKnmiiFdj5Z7lafcJeWo1sf8DBUK8iwGPudd0ecDgEHJVGJGq4J3gKj6o9k9JM1rlVgrcxbLWq1mgdkdcZUScu1UwD7Mx28TFt883Lmw46EvlWJy0BBzfo/s320/may+09+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339368333849190770" border="0" /></a>I've been trying to perfect the perfect swirl on a cupcake for ages now and I'm finally happy with my end result! I've been practising with all kinds of tubes big and small! This is going to be my signature swirl (when I one day am able to sell them!).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ui2BkH2gE-YKG4O2cLkGhroz1ie-_xcZqSjRGnDXBMwPX1S6cbTOdTxdwygtWZDLXSlVnnsxYmvuAGd1lIszV4aUNyY5dommq1q3DN35WBa2t7eMtYsEsuUs0e9NZsQ9lJRSFxG1IhY/s1600-h/may+09+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ui2BkH2gE-YKG4O2cLkGhroz1ie-_xcZqSjRGnDXBMwPX1S6cbTOdTxdwygtWZDLXSlVnnsxYmvuAGd1lIszV4aUNyY5dommq1q3DN35WBa2t7eMtYsEsuUs0e9NZsQ9lJRSFxG1IhY/s320/may+09+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339368125420652082" border="0" /></a>I've been making loads of cupcakes recently and selling them at work as part of my fundraising so it's been really easy to practice! I made orange cupcakes last week and lemon cupcakes the week before and they were both delicious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbuNjZYcmtvw3s-yRj5653OdYMXWM9ttdiXQoRba787mqKeXalSdECWCbYmSP10VDPQz2w-zdvgxO6CJT4ZkImxtlk0aDILtFw0ubnCh0TlkxURJxkxCvb0YSvoUMJ2e1ez1NataUTwM/s1600-h/may+09+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbuNjZYcmtvw3s-yRj5653OdYMXWM9ttdiXQoRba787mqKeXalSdECWCbYmSP10VDPQz2w-zdvgxO6CJT4ZkImxtlk0aDILtFw0ubnCh0TlkxURJxkxCvb0YSvoUMJ2e1ez1NataUTwM/s320/may+09+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339368003710995202" border="0" /></a>Lemon is the perfect flavour for summer and I can't get enough of it. I love lemon drizzle cake, home made lemonade, lemon sweets, lemon yogurt, slices of lemon in my drinks - the fresh tangy taste is just delicious and I love the strong yellow colour as they brighten up my dark kitchen!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayx1FVZKhFsu_ETuYqp4y0avVZFUtw-C5eF3VTrerO2uDX0g0LfbZaf73CrVr13VVzSEmJ1fSY9bBZ3XLU8vnlcvdTET4leIuNvz6GFDLko4JmIjDCDo0B2oE5Mvd-c5wAMyOupkACdg/s1600-h/may+09+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayx1FVZKhFsu_ETuYqp4y0avVZFUtw-C5eF3VTrerO2uDX0g0LfbZaf73CrVr13VVzSEmJ1fSY9bBZ3XLU8vnlcvdTET4leIuNvz6GFDLko4JmIjDCDo0B2oE5Mvd-c5wAMyOupkACdg/s320/may+09+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339367880581211890" border="0" /></a>I think this is a good amount of buttercream on a cake, it looks real pretty without being a mountain, some of the cakes I see in London have more buttercream than cake and I think it's important to have a good balance of them both without it being too sickly! I'll be back next week with the lemon drizzle cake recipe!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-59699434633964059992009-05-10T14:58:00.006+01:002009-05-10T15:08:56.021+01:00Butterfly cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIC_rJMYlpGm555RKuTE0irAho_GLx9u8PFhUQAqCDx3lFy2KimLe7kP1C7_PXnBYv0b9_1ESqo0kUZcOFF5WCd4zlusf-wzFk1xeXS5ADpk53QUZ9x2_aeG2FwYugeoNSBp-5mj_XqK0/s1600-h/cake+fair+09+086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIC_rJMYlpGm555RKuTE0irAho_GLx9u8PFhUQAqCDx3lFy2KimLe7kP1C7_PXnBYv0b9_1ESqo0kUZcOFF5WCd4zlusf-wzFk1xeXS5ADpk53QUZ9x2_aeG2FwYugeoNSBp-5mj_XqK0/s320/cake+fair+09+086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334195292234880946" border="0" /></a>This is the second cake I made to celebrate the welcome of Spring. I wanted to create a very girly cake that would be perfect for picnics in the countryside! I used very pale pink sugar paste to cover it and then cut out butterflies in different colours and gave them a brush of shimmer to add some sparkle. I 'm learning lots about covering cakes at the moment!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChsX5fI6yni0x9zM4n4UD3vSDvxKAyIgPH4R1C-_BL4ckBBMc9N70F1X-YkYuElngBALX4MmpOGpQAGHgt4E9VZibtX7bCOiBxQmsGoJetVPYhXVn3BB7Hwv1teRbgeMBgK2EP7_MN9g/s1600-h/cake+fair+09+088.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChsX5fI6yni0x9zM4n4UD3vSDvxKAyIgPH4R1C-_BL4ckBBMc9N70F1X-YkYuElngBALX4MmpOGpQAGHgt4E9VZibtX7bCOiBxQmsGoJetVPYhXVn3BB7Hwv1teRbgeMBgK2EP7_MN9g/s320/cake+fair+09+088.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334195168022735938" border="0" /></a>Here's a close up of the butterflies - I love the way you can the wings lift up to give the effect that it's about to fly away!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftsrG47k9zFhFMrhpYjmHn8wDCz0PQaiVeYxn3jtATpYFt8NxD2UTX_Ut87j9Y-THUiosD_zOIuioOjmSNrTRHhjM-zd7Q53a8AZRwMH9fVyiXrbko8dvszFk0GmavS0pTUEJnNgibFo/s1600-h/cake+fair+09+093.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftsrG47k9zFhFMrhpYjmHn8wDCz0PQaiVeYxn3jtATpYFt8NxD2UTX_Ut87j9Y-THUiosD_zOIuioOjmSNrTRHhjM-zd7Q53a8AZRwMH9fVyiXrbko8dvszFk0GmavS0pTUEJnNgibFo/s320/cake+fair+09+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334195061668074546" border="0" /></a>I tried a pretty pink ribbon around to finish it off!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiktK7uAEtxWo5ihUoyiMWNmqkzdtIiaBUMlDWxhh-65nwFy7bU0IE-0F4pjRBROsArKUdcSlqmtm7VBiHFA2pzoDrIdr7elcSjvBO6DUgC_jNqbEh2ZLXEkS6cIFc_vT4uTRoCU9R1rI/s1600-h/cake+fair+09+098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiktK7uAEtxWo5ihUoyiMWNmqkzdtIiaBUMlDWxhh-65nwFy7bU0IE-0F4pjRBROsArKUdcSlqmtm7VBiHFA2pzoDrIdr7elcSjvBO6DUgC_jNqbEh2ZLXEkS6cIFc_vT4uTRoCU9R1rI/s320/cake+fair+09+098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334194934440947650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j981qpuCMnHDbleemkz_5eQylb7QtMLgichNJ66N22ypbokaqQgfARSbNAkZVBfoQaKReAtcRis_xZjG_e-C4A7Xuh49LoT3lDeo2C0dzK5rJE9OOVcZdV2NlEQdhbPYQpHxxz8rwe0/s1600-h/cake+fair+09+082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j981qpuCMnHDbleemkz_5eQylb7QtMLgichNJ66N22ypbokaqQgfARSbNAkZVBfoQaKReAtcRis_xZjG_e-C4A7Xuh49LoT3lDeo2C0dzK5rJE9OOVcZdV2NlEQdhbPYQpHxxz8rwe0/s320/cake+fair+09+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334194809857403122" border="0" /></a>Once we'd cut into it, it dodn't last long at all! It was great fun to make and I really enjoyed my afternoon of creativity!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-36043132107479178822009-04-18T13:13:00.006+01:002009-04-18T13:32:05.665+01:00Easter Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmW-g21VpCas4Sqx3imoqoSa4H7kxwvpz0ppXIk2hTATWoLKEs9ndEduL7OiINXLkVzSNgrAzqbpgpvnxlVLoPAIokrakFLiZlZGjok09F5UtB7bQWOW_SJeb2AxHT1sjXlyraXx1kuU/s1600-h/easter+09+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmW-g21VpCas4Sqx3imoqoSa4H7kxwvpz0ppXIk2hTATWoLKEs9ndEduL7OiINXLkVzSNgrAzqbpgpvnxlVLoPAIokrakFLiZlZGjok09F5UtB7bQWOW_SJeb2AxHT1sjXlyraXx1kuU/s320/easter+09+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326005109793965394" border="0" /></a>I baked this Easter/Spring cake for my two friends in London. I didn't want to make a traditional themed cake so I went for a fresh spring countryside look and decorated it in daisies that I made out of flower paste using daisy cutters. I then cut out little blossom flowers and stuck them on too. The cake is a maderia cake with my dad's homemade redcurrant jam spread in the middle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw58O60pLQwuSvCD56p_TpZpXD1cAXl2WYbf8szt_TtgPyQ7HMHZ0AJ0zsfwRnXCUrn338QVEc3vmvC82bkSRmuLxY0QQsEBioE0atc9AqsY-S5NFlQk9T9gNQwpfgTjUtZHgSZuB1KmQ/s1600-h/easter+09+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw58O60pLQwuSvCD56p_TpZpXD1cAXl2WYbf8szt_TtgPyQ7HMHZ0AJ0zsfwRnXCUrn338QVEc3vmvC82bkSRmuLxY0QQsEBioE0atc9AqsY-S5NFlQk9T9gNQwpfgTjUtZHgSZuB1KmQ/s320/easter+09+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326004988444800754" border="0" /></a>I'm entering it into the <a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);" href="http://asliceofcherrypie.blogspot.com/2009/04/easter-cake-bake-2009.html">Easter Cake Bake</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 255);"> </span>competition over on Julia's 'A slice of Cherry Pie' website. Julia holds it every year and there was some amazing cakes last year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERcIKLkNDeDIxIJg8pKbJwiWoPxrY869mdr7trYugU7CUwwT773AC1kgbjvfQ58zRJ8bQsu9H1tBbztnhxDB1FdjydXzy8mJnMocjPI-cVxo4wdcKvTVNVYPCBBzBmF0ZPBxjsTblleI/s1600-h/easter+09+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERcIKLkNDeDIxIJg8pKbJwiWoPxrY869mdr7trYugU7CUwwT773AC1kgbjvfQ58zRJ8bQsu9H1tBbztnhxDB1FdjydXzy8mJnMocjPI-cVxo4wdcKvTVNVYPCBBzBmF0ZPBxjsTblleI/s320/easter+09+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326004834400731650" border="0" /></a>Here is a close up of the flowers - they are my first sugar flowers so I'm really pleased they turned out so well. I think it's perfect for an Easter party to welcome Spring and Summer!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-60924553714154945722009-04-12T15:18:00.004+01:002009-04-12T15:22:23.829+01:00Chocolate Easter Nests<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcE9OtZ2XdZkV3DddI7-PrIajfCaOct7gSJzl4XHMUvOFWTfFRR2S9pHQydG_nU2WGHqdE52PafdA_4Be_rz6rr4C2X9A_XMFf6xAAnGu7zUcegnMFTWIjM-g8U1mYFHMnUqGuhmzWPs/s1600-h/easter+09+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcE9OtZ2XdZkV3DddI7-PrIajfCaOct7gSJzl4XHMUvOFWTfFRR2S9pHQydG_nU2WGHqdE52PafdA_4Be_rz6rr4C2X9A_XMFf6xAAnGu7zUcegnMFTWIjM-g8U1mYFHMnUqGuhmzWPs/s320/easter+09+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323809525276962018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl_rUJCQ20uVmNE7RZjI4OkKd5QAWoeZJ8R_wuYzLRq94dglRYWWSrq88CdMUEauZtlspc4EBw89vZVp8eabnnw1CXhydBko90AgufAtky3BOQ0MNzZvpk28MEBNDk8Rg5TXyCpC5hBE/s1600-h/easter+09+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl_rUJCQ20uVmNE7RZjI4OkKd5QAWoeZJ8R_wuYzLRq94dglRYWWSrq88CdMUEauZtlspc4EBw89vZVp8eabnnw1CXhydBko90AgufAtky3BOQ0MNzZvpk28MEBNDk8Rg5TXyCpC5hBE/s320/easter+09+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323809392170420290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomKL2YLzUfw3VY_wt-S90IaWR026nXw2SCuHNf3yH5-4LNvR9JqJ02H4U8-Jug3btBY7MDs0qMxhZlHa3h3T7OCIlQY6Mt1k1O7gi0UjS41QmkSLQ34hSkK4khHGUSZef6CIwYoRN7_g/s1600-h/easter+09+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomKL2YLzUfw3VY_wt-S90IaWR026nXw2SCuHNf3yH5-4LNvR9JqJ02H4U8-Jug3btBY7MDs0qMxhZlHa3h3T7OCIlQY6Mt1k1O7gi0UjS41QmkSLQ34hSkK4khHGUSZef6CIwYoRN7_g/s320/easter+09+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323809261648908786" border="0" /></a>Happy Easter everyone! I hope you are all enjoying your Easter Sunday and time off work. This is the first batch of chocolate nests I made, i've currently making a second batch right now! I used milk chocolate and shredded wheat but you can also use corn flakes. They are so simple and bring back all the childhood memories of making these as a kid.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-5646664286773402022009-04-04T08:43:00.003+01:002009-04-04T08:46:47.204+01:00More Spring cupcakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVart6ZRubluOwccYpmmUC9UhLE6te1JJ14dkvDEpFbjXABhTPwcffKPsT-g625K2zemsK08TCzTorj3r3l7nV9deXREcAhmr13kqdpdrPj4wHhWJZ3nSCHGg59UjZA74MxBZf_xKCtwc/s1600-h/cake+fair+09+078.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVart6ZRubluOwccYpmmUC9UhLE6te1JJ14dkvDEpFbjXABhTPwcffKPsT-g625K2zemsK08TCzTorj3r3l7nV9deXREcAhmr13kqdpdrPj4wHhWJZ3nSCHGg59UjZA74MxBZf_xKCtwc/s320/cake+fair+09+078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320738972567689042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLdTTri9NkOAp4j0dCLO0lQZcX4KYQaLLJjFyAQI28P9t0RD8ajC8MH980kf2VRlk-2MiM72mXLqh7ffYsvlDfv2naYETxALpbQ1efwQqNGWegJYyiTIP0bv1RzUh7oi8FoaQElHXIm8/s1600-h/cake+fair+09+073.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLdTTri9NkOAp4j0dCLO0lQZcX4KYQaLLJjFyAQI28P9t0RD8ajC8MH980kf2VRlk-2MiM72mXLqh7ffYsvlDfv2naYETxALpbQ1efwQqNGWegJYyiTIP0bv1RzUh7oi8FoaQElHXIm8/s320/cake+fair+09+073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320738854144547026" border="0" /></a>I bought these cute iced ducks from Lakeland and they are so sweet for Easter/Spring cupcakes!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-89942887189339195412009-03-22T10:23:00.006+00:002009-03-22T10:33:39.260+00:00Cupcakes for spring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS0LwwA9Ep6Mv5RJSEyJmSNu_j_1y9upg12BvMjKL6rxmL9UiqK95QE2jFCRv4gQt8vSpb3gZYg1R6KIy01GwPcjy7zQGReAx14EJS7sw4DWgNKbNGrT7Q47XImDGo81tPKDMbIOKAy4/s1600-h/march+09+051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxS0LwwA9Ep6Mv5RJSEyJmSNu_j_1y9upg12BvMjKL6rxmL9UiqK95QE2jFCRv4gQt8vSpb3gZYg1R6KIy01GwPcjy7zQGReAx14EJS7sw4DWgNKbNGrT7Q47XImDGo81tPKDMbIOKAy4/s320/march+09+051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315957395541211570" border="0" /></a>I am so excited about the arrival of Spring and I love the weather at the moment, it's such a lovely time of year. These are some pictures of the cupcakes I have made in the last few weeks to celebrate the arrival of lighter nights, warmer weather and all things spring like!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvs831IP2lQAv77CKrF8gywdEv6iKpQcH1Jt57Y79Tu_PTn7UsIZhnkGwzsHhrNG8Rj01Nl1-vsN_6IAN-YQ1sT2M8M1Atnpnykook9SO0GnVD0hr2Af-lcq9JGjAHq8d4mfMyXljEFA/s1600-h/march+09+045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvs831IP2lQAv77CKrF8gywdEv6iKpQcH1Jt57Y79Tu_PTn7UsIZhnkGwzsHhrNG8Rj01Nl1-vsN_6IAN-YQ1sT2M8M1Atnpnykook9SO0GnVD0hr2Af-lcq9JGjAHq8d4mfMyXljEFA/s320/march+09+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956895382136162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_fipwkhZIjI6BrzKlSxSY79NopeVR_ey0Py0LYGaslUjw_ovUbZUIW0387krD9YxgB6PAp5-fyoum6bgs6nXpWZHTzEIKyyLU-KRpCs33qoUVJKc2zE0nv4OgkU0T-oJuzfvANpsIIE/s1600-h/march+09+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_fipwkhZIjI6BrzKlSxSY79NopeVR_ey0Py0LYGaslUjw_ovUbZUIW0387krD9YxgB6PAp5-fyoum6bgs6nXpWZHTzEIKyyLU-KRpCs33qoUVJKc2zE0nv4OgkU0T-oJuzfvANpsIIE/s320/march+09+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956673421482562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzFiS9UmvHotJrBjt882V402kHsyYfWep1GR36YlcW6xVI11t3BmQMWcVLjsXSlYmVDSbBhVCmFpk0IQAaY_q_sKIW-ilEZhTwCBDdKfsScDw_qwG_Piw08Seouj6-YLUR_2JM068eSU/s1600-h/feb+15.09+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzFiS9UmvHotJrBjt882V402kHsyYfWep1GR36YlcW6xVI11t3BmQMWcVLjsXSlYmVDSbBhVCmFpk0IQAaY_q_sKIW-ilEZhTwCBDdKfsScDw_qwG_Piw08Seouj6-YLUR_2JM068eSU/s320/feb+15.09+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956431729050146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AoAPslw9fZya0QXy0EOVWVwVip5TLG2y49990_DFc7ujH9LFv-ilJ8REysDJQuc5Tg6pbB5mSjWCWpbpKRwZgdJ6m_tmdlxzPRvk6CivjOerzd65d2cuMkm8YvgoIPkJCL5owvM4p4U/s1600-h/feb+15.09+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AoAPslw9fZya0QXy0EOVWVwVip5TLG2y49990_DFc7ujH9LFv-ilJ8REysDJQuc5Tg6pbB5mSjWCWpbpKRwZgdJ6m_tmdlxzPRvk6CivjOerzd65d2cuMkm8YvgoIPkJCL5owvM4p4U/s320/feb+15.09+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315956285794830098" border="0" /></a>I went to the Country Living Spring fair and had a great time, there was some lovely exhibits and people's creativity was just gorgeous. There are so many things I want to buy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-9830103571755929812009-03-05T11:24:00.005+00:002009-03-05T11:28:33.270+00:00Honey and oat breakfast muffins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIlHIKMmVd2FKdD7YSY-GQCaVDaT0lcMneSGZ8wy4F340xtFFc_AGMUkGy5YZ4E2_aC2TvoKOgqc2OLRCnedOuIwjPDQrzWvLh1WsyyxORV4L-TIOHRnjsjz9AXwppWuy6gBSZh_TRbc/s1600-h/feb+15.09+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIlHIKMmVd2FKdD7YSY-GQCaVDaT0lcMneSGZ8wy4F340xtFFc_AGMUkGy5YZ4E2_aC2TvoKOgqc2OLRCnedOuIwjPDQrzWvLh1WsyyxORV4L-TIOHRnjsjz9AXwppWuy6gBSZh_TRbc/s320/feb+15.09+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309663474016676178" border="0" /></a>I made some breakfast muffins that are great to munch on for breakfast. They are made from honey, raisins and oats and are just the perfect way to start your day and to eat on the way if you don't have time for breakfast. Just grab and go!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3uYmKCMATcqIeeE2ByZ8DYKDyhgN-jS9ye1jASU-cYXlt1Ut5gKv6viUDxzQsuwL0ULHZ9t3hVsPUuUvJS6Tp9PFbgUPSBTKthdSzXaBNI-30p8Y0d8k1A_0ZekCgOMUAyz-wjFqu6s/s1600-h/feb+15.09+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3uYmKCMATcqIeeE2ByZ8DYKDyhgN-jS9ye1jASU-cYXlt1Ut5gKv6viUDxzQsuwL0ULHZ9t3hVsPUuUvJS6Tp9PFbgUPSBTKthdSzXaBNI-30p8Y0d8k1A_0ZekCgOMUAyz-wjFqu6s/s400/feb+15.09+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309663324852336626" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-26263956276371809452009-02-15T14:22:00.007+00:002009-02-21T10:31:36.515+00:00Vanilla cupcakes with pretty flowers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWZBa-Nc7C8WdYxqXskd48v9oUZkkFua0UyBDuO2hPzYYS6kDS398rwZpon221IPWzbwUYoXOEF8fL470VD74fVbZQbkQg-1u34aNAniCEv0QrOjVhvTYzQUYq1l8fDIH9i2meWrYpF8/s1600-h/feb+15.09+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWZBa-Nc7C8WdYxqXskd48v9oUZkkFua0UyBDuO2hPzYYS6kDS398rwZpon221IPWzbwUYoXOEF8fL470VD74fVbZQbkQg-1u34aNAniCEv0QrOjVhvTYzQUYq1l8fDIH9i2meWrYpF8/s320/feb+15.09+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303031172074233490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip11FC9nJO7DxM4Iz8nNI2U1OrP2bPA7qXZXWMA4w1fgOwmOB_1U1ng_tXzUF4UXmEdi0gK2T79qMFNdqygtAGY8lXNZeJc9uLGIkh8_VrDJLwALbq4VSU2-yxxXipdvsVxWHLdwjYw_Q/s1600-h/feb+15.09+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip11FC9nJO7DxM4Iz8nNI2U1OrP2bPA7qXZXWMA4w1fgOwmOB_1U1ng_tXzUF4UXmEdi0gK2T79qMFNdqygtAGY8lXNZeJc9uLGIkh8_VrDJLwALbq4VSU2-yxxXipdvsVxWHLdwjYw_Q/s320/feb+15.09+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303031037550387970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3uw1SoiXqqeen9UyXzS7pLKVKAjZKRqSnVxgybewng0Xhv36Z4TqWG2Sj_fCZCjL22n0bEeoxxdAq70CcBxsjl4K_O9QjwuznXk0-LL8jnJQMzAmwpSbU5-dCEQ205um1n88hNSLgnk/s1600-h/feb+15.09+028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3uw1SoiXqqeen9UyXzS7pLKVKAjZKRqSnVxgybewng0Xhv36Z4TqWG2Sj_fCZCjL22n0bEeoxxdAq70CcBxsjl4K_O9QjwuznXk0-LL8jnJQMzAmwpSbU5-dCEQ205um1n88hNSLgnk/s320/feb+15.09+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303030907773402034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2Zx5TopqD5PsMXZXVqGQhKekErE1ojvIUxYil07hEah1JRXjmhfpwZ199xhE9uHZeVdmqsWzFqD75quuHNz4JzTkX8jDFDAgDJC5EQfiRBJ-KG6PNrpsip0-vEP7mdpVWlzVKFkoVNo/s1600-h/feb+15.09+021.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2Zx5TopqD5PsMXZXVqGQhKekErE1ojvIUxYil07hEah1JRXjmhfpwZ199xhE9uHZeVdmqsWzFqD75quuHNz4JzTkX8jDFDAgDJC5EQfiRBJ-KG6PNrpsip0-vEP7mdpVWlzVKFkoVNo/s320/feb+15.09+021.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303030760284782290" border="0" /></a>Here are my latest cupcakes I made - they are vanilla flavour with white icing and sugarpaste flowers. Aren't they just the cutest things?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-9155825207302128862009-02-15T14:10:00.004+00:002009-02-15T14:21:41.300+00:00Valentines Shortbread hearts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8ZZhQ2Ds_QX_d9gXIT4cCizCHOU-U32okYXSlp587Kt8_6P7UTgf5rLafbmXU8inuA0extnQSaifcue4HQaucD9JJbuUCZBHkTLNZKZ0t_rJMrwASetNDeYtijqBEdyWwDr0oJUu_Qw/s1600-h/feb+15.09+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8ZZhQ2Ds_QX_d9gXIT4cCizCHOU-U32okYXSlp587Kt8_6P7UTgf5rLafbmXU8inuA0extnQSaifcue4HQaucD9JJbuUCZBHkTLNZKZ0t_rJMrwASetNDeYtijqBEdyWwDr0oJUu_Qw/s320/feb+15.09+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303026627744689714" border="0" /></a>I made these shortbread hearts for my friend who was staying over the weekend, they are so delicious and they really melt in your mouth. They don't take long to bake either and spinkled with red sugar look divine.<br /><br />All you need is:<br />150g/6ox plain flour<br />100g/4oz slighlty salted butter, softened<br />50g/2oz golden caster sugar<br />red sugar for sprinkling<br /><br />Preheat the oven to 150c. Put the flour in a mixing bowl and rub in the butter until it forms fine crumbs. (I love this doing this and it's especially easy sat in front of the tv!). Then stir in the sugar. Work the mixture together until it forms a ball and knead it brieflt until smooth. Sprinkle flour onto a work surface and roll out gently, if it starts to split keep pushing it back together. Cut out the desired shapes using a cutter and place them gently on an ungreased baking tray. Keep rolling the mixture out until you have used it all. bake for 35-49 minutes, it should still be pale when you remove from the oven. Cool and then sprinkle with sugar, if you don't have coloured sugar then caster sugar is fine. Perfect to give to your loved ones on Valentine!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoRfI_aSm1u5q3ALCCHDi25jp7ETSMazo7YI7ycPoQMU1x2919fqu2JcX25l6vIESj8CM7vLls0Nj3wvaedi5DJR7RAjwBPX_oL-K0EAyRxHRfEglP0374WK4UDXBlUBcG9auW_uJ_bg/s1600-h/feb+15.09+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoRfI_aSm1u5q3ALCCHDi25jp7ETSMazo7YI7ycPoQMU1x2919fqu2JcX25l6vIESj8CM7vLls0Nj3wvaedi5DJR7RAjwBPX_oL-K0EAyRxHRfEglP0374WK4UDXBlUBcG9auW_uJ_bg/s320/feb+15.09+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303026488860952578" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-5583642953613415772009-02-01T16:53:00.005+00:002009-02-01T17:18:45.956+00:00Chocolate chip cookies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzryivnL4UVcqUuAwT12pmT_u3xHzpgbqq6wgZqevjAgvYJj9ABNyJ5ChXvpoWOvZemmCYTTy-tngY4j_ye6O8Lpd4YL44Cp07s8K2qK0dNHLOX5AV_gngbVQ8udl_KAcW6u3TrviEZlM/s1600-h/feb+09+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzryivnL4UVcqUuAwT12pmT_u3xHzpgbqq6wgZqevjAgvYJj9ABNyJ5ChXvpoWOvZemmCYTTy-tngY4j_ye6O8Lpd4YL44Cp07s8K2qK0dNHLOX5AV_gngbVQ8udl_KAcW6u3TrviEZlM/s320/feb+09+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297876725988421122" border="0" /></a>I love lazy sundays and I just seem to have enough of them! This morning I had a huge bowl of warming porridge with a mug of hot coffee and sat in bed reading the sunday morning papers! Bliss.<br /><br />This afternoon I made cookies with some red and green chocolate chips that came from America.<br /><br />To make them you need:<br />250g/9oz butter, softened<br />50g/2oz caster sugar<br />100g/3.5oz light brown sugar<br />300g/10oz self-raising flour<br />2 tbsp milk<br />Chocolate chips - I used a large handful<br /><br />Simply preheat the oven to 180c and line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Take a large bowl and beat together the butter and sugars. (Yes, 250g is a whole packet of butter but it's worth it!). Once the mixture looks nice and fluffy stir in the flour and milk and stir together using a wooden spoon.<br /><br />Divide the mixture into small balls and place them on the baking tray leaving enough room to spread. Flatten each one with your finger tips. Bake for 20 minutes and leave them on the tray to cool for 5 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack.<br /><br />Serve on a cold winter's afternoon like today with a big mug of tea. Lovely.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoWPaC_1TigIQHeXjSBVCq5Qvq79CSw68-y1LVfxo_6vayr0YEXSi6W2Q4VpDqU1UyqIiFzRZzY0ADjTQgFhZaXSP3_PzyvzuW4T_qPdRZac4fu8NCZjrBErRVXkT7gvOfTITif-D28I/s1600-h/feb+09+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoWPaC_1TigIQHeXjSBVCq5Qvq79CSw68-y1LVfxo_6vayr0YEXSi6W2Q4VpDqU1UyqIiFzRZzY0ADjTQgFhZaXSP3_PzyvzuW4T_qPdRZac4fu8NCZjrBErRVXkT7gvOfTITif-D28I/s320/feb+09+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297876959942991842" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-49633299465771035562009-01-18T10:32:00.002+00:002009-01-18T10:56:13.414+00:00Apple Muesli Slices<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49-ZcOvLXY7hrXtPmdNDGCOGyl0Gov5uzGP2KMKcZLmGkqbbrW7qpFXbsb2DZBusjkNoc0N3kDVbJpUlEaMM51f9t8eilyfGTl7egyCu10e8QP0gePViVS1uZIjvOj_Evkfdpofd-HmU/s1600-h/Baking+22-09-08+%283%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49-ZcOvLXY7hrXtPmdNDGCOGyl0Gov5uzGP2KMKcZLmGkqbbrW7qpFXbsb2DZBusjkNoc0N3kDVbJpUlEaMM51f9t8eilyfGTl7egyCu10e8QP0gePViVS1uZIjvOj_Evkfdpofd-HmU/s320/Baking+22-09-08+%283%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292581860657053010" border="0" /></a>It's been such a busy couple of months for me, what with Christmas and starting a new job I've really been feeling quite stressed recently. I love weekends so much and really try to make use of every second and make the time last as long as possible. I think one of the reasons I enjoy baking so much is that I find it so relaxing and calming and I really enjoy eating what I've made during the following week at work!<br /><br />I started the year thinking it's time for the new year diet. Two days later I decided 'baking wanabee' and 'dieter' don't really add up well and decided to stick to running instead. Good plan I think. I have made a few resolutions this year (none of which are anything to do with the word diet). One is to try and source healthier products for myself and my home. I've started with mineral make-up, lush natural face wash and organic shampoo. Good start! The second is to try and spend the year perfecting the perfect cupcake recipes. I found this really cool website: <a href="http://www.cupcakefetish.com">www.cupcakefetish.com</a> which has loads of reviews on cupcake shops and it got me thinking. So, i'm going to taste and sample all different cupcakes from shops around London and spend many an hour in the kitchen trying out different methods and ingrediants.<br /><br />I know everyone, likes to have a healithy start to the new year and so I started my January baking with these apple muesli slices (see pic above). I didn't really follow a recipe, i just grabbed a bowl and threw in anything I could find: raisins, sunflower seeds, oats, honey, muesli and a bit of butter and baked it in the oven - they are perfect 'pick-me-ups' for the first weeks back at work.<br /><br />This afternoon I am going to make carrot and orange soup for dinner followed by fruit and marizpan cupcakes. Bliss!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-59630226130358192152009-01-04T18:17:00.006+00:002009-01-04T18:37:54.556+00:00Magnolia Bakery - NYC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwJ3VsQ1MLy8LhJbSIFGH87da0SscE0YwadwnW94FxY9xQThyphenhyphenP6h7k0PiLE-_sdkt3zpCPlgcoEmsKBm5vhJ7UZWo5GlLnMG3oz0gSAOseKH0KOkYjNxnnj-sqT9M6uELdX3Mb7gtH9c/s1600-h/nyc+trip+nov+08+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwJ3VsQ1MLy8LhJbSIFGH87da0SscE0YwadwnW94FxY9xQThyphenhyphenP6h7k0PiLE-_sdkt3zpCPlgcoEmsKBm5vhJ7UZWo5GlLnMG3oz0gSAOseKH0KOkYjNxnnj-sqT9M6uELdX3Mb7gtH9c/s200/nyc+trip+nov+08+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287505889069270882" border="0" /></a>Happy 2009! I had a great Christmas and New Year and hope you did too.<br /><br />Before I start my New Year baking, I wanted to show you my pics of Magnolia Bakery in New York. We were lucky enough to visit our friends there in November but I was so busy posting about Christmas baking I never had time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q6WLAVFLw3fS7R6ytWfd1SEF81Jqe1QvCKNvgdoopPcwdjxZLrwstcDKacnUip7JQrNzBpx01W3V5t5YYlHAu9QBQe3BaFIL526lLgzVC9PnEoWmtN8vKQaMtkSs2Z8mrC_atpM-e1k/s1600-h/nyc+trip+nov+08+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7q6WLAVFLw3fS7R6ytWfd1SEF81Jqe1QvCKNvgdoopPcwdjxZLrwstcDKacnUip7JQrNzBpx01W3V5t5YYlHAu9QBQe3BaFIL526lLgzVC9PnEoWmtN8vKQaMtkSs2Z8mrC_atpM-e1k/s200/nyc+trip+nov+08+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287505273183265314" border="0" /></a>Magnolia bakery is where Carrie went to buy a cupcake in SATC and that is what started the cupcake trend. It was like a dream, the shop was full of cupcakes and larger cakes and cookies and the choice of flavours was just mouth watering delicious! I had the one above in the right hand corner. It was topped with cream cheese and autumn sprinkles and I honestly have never tasted anything like it. It tasted divine. My friend got the one of the left (the cream one) and it was a red velvet cupcake with traditional whipped vanilla icing. Heaven. I couldn't believe how red the sponge was. Deep, dark, smooth, velvet red.<br /><br />Other flavours included pumpkin cupcakes with maple cheese frosting, german chocolate with coconut-caramel-pecan icing and coconut cupcakes with meringue icing. I wish I could have tried them all!<br /><br />And just to make your mouth water a little bit more, other totally gorgeous american offerings in the bakery included: pecan pie, bundt cakes, brownies, blondies, whoopi cookies, pumpkin spice cake and devil's food cake.<br /><br />They really were the best things I've ever tasted. If you go to NY you must try these cakes! And what a cute interior...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaneiPuFbTSF_JuDSgYvJGPTgdbr-z-pLoBHYwKNkJwNVshgfm5lHEWc_rs0ECvgDUB1GHKGsad59sKWaDuxUEbolJgTVTvhx3E4MjGoF0ihGKMMBYZKwPKvVmXvwGQYHBlGDdS48MbM/s1600-h/nyc+trip+nov+08+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaneiPuFbTSF_JuDSgYvJGPTgdbr-z-pLoBHYwKNkJwNVshgfm5lHEWc_rs0ECvgDUB1GHKGsad59sKWaDuxUEbolJgTVTvhx3E4MjGoF0ihGKMMBYZKwPKvVmXvwGQYHBlGDdS48MbM/s320/nyc+trip+nov+08+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287505088054543186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWxvO99R8dwktFwZBxlm0TWjPpeHrGSvDuhbB_iBJ07xhb5MQzC8ASk3bfW7n7BQrLLpONdJ2BhEkJkYxXtXVTHFbM5m50M6vuETYfAHaQBZMbISAhtTjqaVlamxT01dBC9lFFenKlY4/s1600-h/nyc+trip+nov+08+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWxvO99R8dwktFwZBxlm0TWjPpeHrGSvDuhbB_iBJ07xhb5MQzC8ASk3bfW7n7BQrLLpONdJ2BhEkJkYxXtXVTHFbM5m50M6vuETYfAHaQBZMbISAhtTjqaVlamxT01dBC9lFFenKlY4/s320/nyc+trip+nov+08+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287504906341473218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6EndYTTv1eLOdwyUnJYOMIUTFKnxHpnX-YjNTsBjao15Hl7qsfqhmwlM_OnPhHfCZE5aiDz83iAmypgCCbHkePQgRqvW3E1eGSY2NqkEFa7oZThGVuB9z8C5UaWTZuH3wmvHEyTvC3Y/s1600-h/nyc+trip+nov+08+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6EndYTTv1eLOdwyUnJYOMIUTFKnxHpnX-YjNTsBjao15Hl7qsfqhmwlM_OnPhHfCZE5aiDz83iAmypgCCbHkePQgRqvW3E1eGSY2NqkEFa7oZThGVuB9z8C5UaWTZuH3wmvHEyTvC3Y/s320/nyc+trip+nov+08+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287504720852838450" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-6561730305377157932008-12-21T18:39:00.004+00:002008-12-21T18:47:22.780+00:00Mince pies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_juVOT3bN1Mwsj-wJXIIKsEiu97oP9iDfTbx7FbY-0-FgvQXGkyyWchvH4SusGetexAhCBc3OcdcYY8_z5lOiVrvqEWcakQQjqso13Z3clFMIRnXHI-2wpp09b3uwuYcLvxgY2gK9KE/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+2+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_juVOT3bN1Mwsj-wJXIIKsEiu97oP9iDfTbx7FbY-0-FgvQXGkyyWchvH4SusGetexAhCBc3OcdcYY8_z5lOiVrvqEWcakQQjqso13Z3clFMIRnXHI-2wpp09b3uwuYcLvxgY2gK9KE/s200/xmas+baking+08+2+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282315344085468578" border="0" /></a>I can't believe it's nearly Christmas already! Time has gone so quick. I've been busy baking every weekend nearly but I have found time to watch all the Christmas cooking programmes on TV! I loved 'Nigella's Christmas' especially! Today I have been busy finishing my third Christmas cake, baking ginger cookies and decorating them and making mini rum chocolate puddings!<br /><br />The other day I had some time to make my first ever Mince Pies, they were delicious! I cheated a little and did it the 'express' way by using shop bought mincemeat but I did make my own pastry! They are so great to get out when people come and visit. Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all have a fun and festive time!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9L7yt-sBWTeHv434pVtkJ8yvcvGRCkZo2chOQlRD5CBTX1z_5Bvd36JFmp7VDORCIjK8JyhKRkalsI6kSVo_RYehXYiygdF1aNWYu2AnGYEGzOxQaefoj39dLYnI13jpsBS2FiGHZAFE/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+2+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9L7yt-sBWTeHv434pVtkJ8yvcvGRCkZo2chOQlRD5CBTX1z_5Bvd36JFmp7VDORCIjK8JyhKRkalsI6kSVo_RYehXYiygdF1aNWYu2AnGYEGzOxQaefoj39dLYnI13jpsBS2FiGHZAFE/s320/xmas+baking+08+2+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282315102044231538" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-43503543495495813692008-12-17T19:02:00.007+00:002008-12-17T19:13:17.910+00:00Christmas Cake - number two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsFeoxyBZ8bM2wdcJSldQ85pw9jNwQppTQTILLp6LzGS2TDrE_Cx12j0zaEhksykW6TKEUybgqacNoMr0eJ8brWt_coIR7NnppgUCv_BOR7hY-PyBw6vXubZL8rCv6g9NL9zyx9Cqw2g/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+2+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsFeoxyBZ8bM2wdcJSldQ85pw9jNwQppTQTILLp6LzGS2TDrE_Cx12j0zaEhksykW6TKEUybgqacNoMr0eJ8brWt_coIR7NnppgUCv_BOR7hY-PyBw6vXubZL8rCv6g9NL9zyx9Cqw2g/s320/xmas+baking+08+2+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280837283710954514" border="0" /></a>Here is the second Christmas cake I have been working on for my two friends. It is another fruit cake covered in marizpan and then covered in black sugarcraft. Black is an unusual colour to choose for a Christmas cake but I thought it would look really effective with the white stars!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliRndCkGH5XQrdWrbyfwyvXhmYXMwL_HK232Nf0TOPOnOmQWJm162h8nawdzvsU5Fr3UUsRIxdUpNAiDpY72mbSEFtLBAwCh23xHXO5HsBYtEeGlLn5_6QP3AerJcmMuoxCIeY7UkePY/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+2+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliRndCkGH5XQrdWrbyfwyvXhmYXMwL_HK232Nf0TOPOnOmQWJm162h8nawdzvsU5Fr3UUsRIxdUpNAiDpY72mbSEFtLBAwCh23xHXO5HsBYtEeGlLn5_6QP3AerJcmMuoxCIeY7UkePY/s320/xmas+baking+08+2+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280837160369181058" border="0" /></a>I cut out lots of little white sugarpaste stars and used a stamper to mark snowflakes. I dusted the snowflakes with shimmer dust and the effective was all shimmery and sparkly!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2h88U90fc26HUR0z5rBN6Xh-M4Z0QMtpHE9G_sXIKmEXqZYRYpkiCQ99hATlDm-baqbOqXfujz_Qc5OhcEz4e9MqXihvg_EQCPZdmiqMYOJP2Ln0R-sfnLf2XZ5m5-NDIqO28ZoGo3g/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+2+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2h88U90fc26HUR0z5rBN6Xh-M4Z0QMtpHE9G_sXIKmEXqZYRYpkiCQ99hATlDm-baqbOqXfujz_Qc5OhcEz4e9MqXihvg_EQCPZdmiqMYOJP2Ln0R-sfnLf2XZ5m5-NDIqO28ZoGo3g/s320/xmas+baking+08+2+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280837053189268034" border="0" /></a>I also cut out larger stars and stuck them to the side of the cake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG5a93QJbNP3KJVbkGFn4U8QjUJqy8ovEtGt87bB22jJNeRNK5lB6sopjk94pZTjjnuiV3BpM_wWfONHzjAsTKRKj6DS8cfNG36N5mYUzSw434LgYBL8CWDGDMeqmFn-wUPFCQcELLE8/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+2+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG5a93QJbNP3KJVbkGFn4U8QjUJqy8ovEtGt87bB22jJNeRNK5lB6sopjk94pZTjjnuiV3BpM_wWfONHzjAsTKRKj6DS8cfNG36N5mYUzSw434LgYBL8CWDGDMeqmFn-wUPFCQcELLE8/s320/xmas+baking+08+2+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280836932842168786" border="0" /></a>I also added little silver balls to finish off! I love the stars and snowflakes and the contrast between the black and white. I hope my friends like it too!<br /><br />Santa came early this year as for my birthday I was given the Nigella Chritmas book that I have been dying to get my hands on! I am so pleased - thanks Saff - I love it! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-29940601395916923422008-12-07T18:20:00.008+00:002008-12-07T18:31:23.203+00:00Christmas Cake (Number one)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4xmbvnJWG5X6_rNNHZQh_PqMNuCZzavsyWQdHyT02OljCUNYmqpOfW7u_T0P61Qhlfwq0lOvC-vKpvHbQf4TWJEpu8KCBgieEOYMEzprvg_j06tQpDmBNXgm2YlsM-gxf4H-vvbr59U/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4xmbvnJWG5X6_rNNHZQh_PqMNuCZzavsyWQdHyT02OljCUNYmqpOfW7u_T0P61Qhlfwq0lOvC-vKpvHbQf4TWJEpu8KCBgieEOYMEzprvg_j06tQpDmBNXgm2YlsM-gxf4H-vvbr59U/s320/xmas+baking+08+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277115446686614626" border="0" /></a>This is the first of the four Christmas cakes I am making this year. This was also my final piece for my baking class (I came third which I was pleased with!). It is a 6inch fruit cake, covered in marizpan and then covered in sugarpaste. I then decorated it with some of the techniques I have learnt over the past few weeks. Below is an example of crimping using a special crimping tool.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUmZULtq814E1W1-H0llP07pvKX1LYOXRavHeYm6VUJ9x_k98Sb_DzrlUTgHUQ0iMwrQjripIVuOSYCvib9Lhk2twMWhJIor2pIqwssA4oYJyUSLTMO00sO5vuAkaR0zGDbzGGpctxvk/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+014.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUmZULtq814E1W1-H0llP07pvKX1LYOXRavHeYm6VUJ9x_k98Sb_DzrlUTgHUQ0iMwrQjripIVuOSYCvib9Lhk2twMWhJIor2pIqwssA4oYJyUSLTMO00sO5vuAkaR0zGDbzGGpctxvk/s320/xmas+baking+08+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277115281094060866" border="0" /></a>I cut this circle out (below) using a scone cutter and then used a patchwork snowflake cutter to create the snowflake pattern and brushed over it with shimmer dust. I then cut out lots of stars, brushed them with shimmer dust and stuck them on using royal icing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh9LkrHQvwlG18uiVTm0A0aAOsNRnAM-1nZx1xkBV3Y0ug898GlqgQxWX1nqng6ZfRwibUeKNTVB5KWCjQzhdZwe945jdQC62GexXzCy_FGSwIkjXWMkiq25APZc7t_BtGQboYR0gRpA/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIh9LkrHQvwlG18uiVTm0A0aAOsNRnAM-1nZx1xkBV3Y0ug898GlqgQxWX1nqng6ZfRwibUeKNTVB5KWCjQzhdZwe945jdQC62GexXzCy_FGSwIkjXWMkiq25APZc7t_BtGQboYR0gRpA/s320/xmas+baking+08+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277115130033892354" border="0" /></a>I coloured some marizpan red and green and rolled it together. I then gently placed it around the bottom of the cake and then piped royal icing around the edges of the cake board.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYamX6PVFXUA5v2kItOMUbFEa09bTr4CpO_2_2GjvklDcpDrhnsrdoa6KPplBwZiGVi-kh6fSlnZZ50cmJ4foC9wKiG7xbMlOUW783eqUA0Lp3BUHJJHZF_9TIPUS8wxGcg5TbY2vMH4/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYamX6PVFXUA5v2kItOMUbFEa09bTr4CpO_2_2GjvklDcpDrhnsrdoa6KPplBwZiGVi-kh6fSlnZZ50cmJ4foC9wKiG7xbMlOUW783eqUA0Lp3BUHJJHZF_9TIPUS8wxGcg5TbY2vMH4/s320/xmas+baking+08+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277114977452946674" border="0" /></a>So far I have made 3 out of the 4 cakes - 2 of them are waiting to be marizpaned and iced so watch this space for more christmas cake ideas. Anyone for a slice?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-51296913805625756992008-12-03T19:41:00.007+00:002008-12-03T19:51:35.607+00:00Chocolate Christmas WreathsI took this idea from the Nigella Christmas book (which I'm hoping get for Christmas from Santa!). In her book she uses cornflakes and a sugar coating I think but I used rice krispies and a chocolate coating! It was so easy to do, I just poured some rice krispies into a bowl, covered them with melted chocolate, placed large spoonfuls onto a piece of tin foil and then made a hole in the middle. To add some extra Christmas charm I sprinkled them with Christmas sprinkles!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp32TEKVJErigxbdGAeb5bAGzkEnF-RsKjo8qJtSZCKYJ5fxyypcZxi_eCYMtvzecbfXmmB4UnuYSAsUhiXLU90xEMPQQDYlzv8xk3RN23lqEkBoZIT-6p8ZvvrcGyylt5Q70v-dweA0/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp32TEKVJErigxbdGAeb5bAGzkEnF-RsKjo8qJtSZCKYJ5fxyypcZxi_eCYMtvzecbfXmmB4UnuYSAsUhiXLU90xEMPQQDYlzv8xk3RN23lqEkBoZIT-6p8ZvvrcGyylt5Q70v-dweA0/s320/xmas+baking+08+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275652719641592146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPlc0FbGPk3enBVJe6Fi0-H0iOdvUDQNxX-VVOIpC5SfNya-xGQYW37dCD2ejtqFqBRh2PdbnCAivjiST93DlrQoyKOGfrE5helwwidU8n9SiMd-CriHxZVp7tpzkAo1_2i34QKb4jlI/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPlc0FbGPk3enBVJe6Fi0-H0iOdvUDQNxX-VVOIpC5SfNya-xGQYW37dCD2ejtqFqBRh2PdbnCAivjiST93DlrQoyKOGfrE5helwwidU8n9SiMd-CriHxZVp7tpzkAo1_2i34QKb4jlI/s320/xmas+baking+08+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275652609900770898" border="0" /></a>I also filled mini cupcake papers with the chocolate rice krispie mixture and added some more sprinkles!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjg1p4dZvTISfpvdrS0S-IyqpsxNDI_11B_eY4wGK6YjChf9N-61yG0t97fIfhSALTfnfnyRUsXT3aqh9tBqqHX0Fa0LUljkDoqr7lMEdjP43tg9I0XhiXB05sk4iOfFr-YXKHHohLog/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjg1p4dZvTISfpvdrS0S-IyqpsxNDI_11B_eY4wGK6YjChf9N-61yG0t97fIfhSALTfnfnyRUsXT3aqh9tBqqHX0Fa0LUljkDoqr7lMEdjP43tg9I0XhiXB05sk4iOfFr-YXKHHohLog/s320/xmas+baking+08+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275652483109288386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-dJqXFP77Dp_FfegVergKvvq8U3hinOuEHO0XoGqN36Ez-uWS7PrxxCljmLDpO6giEGu4gT8nT9V2pHP6TWt-5K0UR0jKI3t4CxGdKR6LzMeKXQLyFB8Z0Q_Be-ZeT2nf27ikLhbCow/s1600-h/xmas+baking+08+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-dJqXFP77Dp_FfegVergKvvq8U3hinOuEHO0XoGqN36Ez-uWS7PrxxCljmLDpO6giEGu4gT8nT9V2pHP6TWt-5K0UR0jKI3t4CxGdKR6LzMeKXQLyFB8Z0Q_Be-ZeT2nf27ikLhbCow/s320/xmas+baking+08+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275652364179646706" border="0" /></a>The sprinkles are snowflakes and candy canes - so sweet!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-13967063365279839712008-11-26T19:04:00.010+00:002009-01-18T10:13:56.830+00:00Royal Icing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhuS23RFLgUdGqduUjxSrM7vr27IUrePiKowDSAAw5HxJebie24WmVD2tKmHcOVh5sQDXZSmKvBx2iY2k1yquHOGGON7ojvEYLfLUHhAJBeyNJAHQyaDOzFrs7MaJLXAcHlZ00CTOE3g/s1600-h/sugarcraft+exhibition+057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhuS23RFLgUdGqduUjxSrM7vr27IUrePiKowDSAAw5HxJebie24WmVD2tKmHcOVh5sQDXZSmKvBx2iY2k1yquHOGGON7ojvEYLfLUHhAJBeyNJAHQyaDOzFrs7MaJLXAcHlZ00CTOE3g/s200/sugarcraft+exhibition+057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273046233760260162" border="0" /></a>I wanted to do a quick post on royal icing before I commence with the Christmas baking! I love royal iced cakes but if your just starting out it may be easier to cover your cake with sugarpaste. Either way, both look and taste delightful!<br /><br />I made this cake and iced it at my baking class, it has 4 layers of icing! I finished it off with some piping around the edges. Always make sure your cake is covered in marizpan before starting to cover it in royal icing!<br /><br />To make royal icing you need:<br />2 egg whites<br />1ml lemon juice<br />500g icing sugar, sieved<br />5ml of glycerine<br /><br />Make sure you have an extremely clean bowl. Place the egg whites and lemon juice into the bowl and use a clean wooden spoon to stir the egg whites and break them up so that they mix with the lemon juice. Add some of the icing sugar and use the wooden spoon to mix together. Keep adding more icing sugar and stiring until you get the consistency you want. I usually beat it until it looks smooth and glossy. Then stir in the glycerine. This helps to keep the icing soft once the cake has been cut. Always allow the icing to rest before using it, usually for about an hour and always make sure it is covered in a damp cloth when not using otherwise it will become dry. When you are ready to use it, give it another stir as this will help to dispearse any air bubbles that may have formed!<br /><br />I will do another post after Christmas about the different consistencies and other points about royal icing such as piping, flavouring and colouring it. I hope this helps you cover your christmas cake! Let the Christmas baking begin...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j9XfOVhTCETGen1zEEstn1JPrCHTCWLITTFXmJ3OicKcqoYZ1isLSl7Itb9YTAk-ZSNbcXqwQdN48MLgqjg1m9iJ-2XGVFqb1Jt-YiuN09M8AVF7SQwoNThZfae4EkkMTqPV91iVSDs/s1600-h/sugarcraft+exhibition+061.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j9XfOVhTCETGen1zEEstn1JPrCHTCWLITTFXmJ3OicKcqoYZ1isLSl7Itb9YTAk-ZSNbcXqwQdN48MLgqjg1m9iJ-2XGVFqb1Jt-YiuN09M8AVF7SQwoNThZfae4EkkMTqPV91iVSDs/s320/sugarcraft+exhibition+061.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273045665893507634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJbeqArsnBftQPGEkVGZiEXZ4x8MjdjyQAvMxIr_4rfjBHVpQ2h-KpM_MJCi4oXKdBD-g1HJhYVZ4x3q2X92ROVA6aXFYKVT2XObebOMixvCjV8Gb1dxWAHfupcMTqbYV29yvomhjIIg/s1600-h/sugarcraft+exhibition+089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJbeqArsnBftQPGEkVGZiEXZ4x8MjdjyQAvMxIr_4rfjBHVpQ2h-KpM_MJCi4oXKdBD-g1HJhYVZ4x3q2X92ROVA6aXFYKVT2XObebOMixvCjV8Gb1dxWAHfupcMTqbYV29yvomhjIIg/s320/sugarcraft+exhibition+089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273045484337922706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdYj35oSeSb83eiYUiSkTtY90BcfJ_HSseFtet61yb8XHkzp6hC8kd9ExgbkQM02KG368VZ9OyF7KHbDBS1R1gE6SMSBZxMddGYty61-jAk2ikZhCOIOoXqOqEUNgUX2P-kueKssuRmI/s1600-h/sugarcraft+exhibition+091.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdYj35oSeSb83eiYUiSkTtY90BcfJ_HSseFtet61yb8XHkzp6hC8kd9ExgbkQM02KG368VZ9OyF7KHbDBS1R1gE6SMSBZxMddGYty61-jAk2ikZhCOIOoXqOqEUNgUX2P-kueKssuRmI/s320/sugarcraft+exhibition+091.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273045284479454450" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219138262082838587.post-21414810251042880372008-11-19T19:47:00.007+00:002008-11-20T18:37:58.567+00:00Christmas Cake - part two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWez_GEATwtohOi_SntzX1mlSsmRbcFrzmdFREXaPN3XQbvGfi5hf17i0yNzGQqOzvu9Me4VM0pLJYjnKR0uyMsU7QH934ubnhPpeiYHgNBNi2N5feujShOUX3BaUwEqaiYwun5RCJ7Q/s1600-h/sugarcraft+exhibition+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWez_GEATwtohOi_SntzX1mlSsmRbcFrzmdFREXaPN3XQbvGfi5hf17i0yNzGQqOzvu9Me4VM0pLJYjnKR0uyMsU7QH934ubnhPpeiYHgNBNi2N5feujShOUX3BaUwEqaiYwun5RCJ7Q/s320/sugarcraft+exhibition+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270458322484075522" border="0" /></a>Okay, so the next you need to do is make sure your cake tin is covered properly. Using greaseproof paper draw a circle around the bottom of your tin and cut it out. Make sure it fits into the bottom of the tin easily. Cut a strip of paper the length of your tin and cut along the bottom little slits so that you can fold them to fit the inside of the tin perfectly. Place the circle in the bottom. I recommend that you also cover the outside of your tin with brown parcel paper and string but I didn't have any string at the time and had to make do without. I did however place 4 squares of the paper under the cake tin when I put it in the oven (as shown above). This is to make sure that the cake doesn't get overcooked underneath or on the sides as it is going to be in the oven for a long time!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgJPm0Y13pqY4PRVgno8BiJXwBJd5IFYHeMLcNMnMTqzVjUX242GLQzR3x-K0B-zkMcREgo6nVxBQZgITRrX15SAfs7pHwpfytsAWRSNj5auV13j3cBUTU4if1-ZHvWceQQEhpNRWiTk/s1600-h/sugarcraft+exhibition+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgJPm0Y13pqY4PRVgno8BiJXwBJd5IFYHeMLcNMnMTqzVjUX242GLQzR3x-K0B-zkMcREgo6nVxBQZgITRrX15SAfs7pHwpfytsAWRSNj5auV13j3cBUTU4if1-ZHvWceQQEhpNRWiTk/s320/sugarcraft+exhibition+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270458191155168194" border="0" /></a>Using another large bowl, place the remaining ingredients into it - sugar, flour, ground almonds, mixed spice, treacle, butter and eggs. Stir everything together until it is well mixed. You should use a wooden spoon to do this.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKMJ3977s3vIA1GXFCQ-S9tMYctZ-dlNYunfxXqMnuewk8ARA_Kjv8DIGnI6XDXZbLfAbLMaaG0QohXTzocH3LeXGDuqMwJXact477DLoqIWC80r2uvuyBIyhjUPoTviiEaJbPB3pgZs/s1600-h/sugarcraft+exhibition+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKMJ3977s3vIA1GXFCQ-S9tMYctZ-dlNYunfxXqMnuewk8ARA_Kjv8DIGnI6XDXZbLfAbLMaaG0QohXTzocH3LeXGDuqMwJXact477DLoqIWC80r2uvuyBIyhjUPoTviiEaJbPB3pgZs/s320/sugarcraft+exhibition+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270458034395102210" border="0" /></a>Beat everything together unitl it is well mixed, smooth and glossy. Next, add the mixed fruit and stir it into the mixture. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and smooth the top with the back of a wet metal spoon. Give the tin a few sharp bangs to make sure the mixture has spread evenly in the bottom. Place it in the centre of the oven (pre-heated, of course to 140c/275f/gas mark 1) and cook for 2 - 2h 15mins. Use a prong to test to see if it is cooked. Allow it to cool in the tin and then turn it out but do not remove the brown paper as it will help to keep the cake moist. Wrap in it foil twice and store it in a cool dry place. Over the next few weeks you can sprinkle more brandy over it if required!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICW5p4yOKgPY2787_qjCtz9OgdOusCcdnyQCH5QUoiSNlI5g5ulrhjVoPzqvQhT9-8twgCC6XVGm-raVoKrRb8Uweoop8xlTjFTjtOWBk3qQCRCaSB_M61BNO4RP-MqnLFthmtcLXXpQ/s1600-h/sugarcraft+exhibition+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICW5p4yOKgPY2787_qjCtz9OgdOusCcdnyQCH5QUoiSNlI5g5ulrhjVoPzqvQhT9-8twgCC6XVGm-raVoKrRb8Uweoop8xlTjFTjtOWBk3qQCRCaSB_M61BNO4RP-MqnLFthmtcLXXpQ/s320/sugarcraft+exhibition+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270457896363421042" border="0" /></a>Next, I will upload ideas for icing and decoration. Watch this space!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5