The Great British Bake Off Final

Go Holly!

So next Tuesday is the final of The Great British Bake Off, and oh what a season it's been; we've laughed, we've cried, and I think it's fair to say that we've all learnt something (Rob - not to shove his cake off the table while decorating it!)... I myself have been inspired to attempt a profiterole tower, so watch this space because it'll probably appear at some point in the next twelve months! :)


So who am I rooting for?

Well I have been supporting Janet and Holly since week one (because they're both Amazing), but since Janet was eliminated in last night's Semi's, I am now backing Holly all the way.
(I mean come on, how AMAZING were her pastries and iced buns last night!)

I can't believe it's almost over...

I'm totally gonna miss this show when it finishes, coz it's the highlight of my week - equally I can't wait to see who wins...

So to find out, watch the Great British Bake Off Next Tuesday on BBC2 at 8pm.

Happy Baking!

X

UPDATE: Paul Hollywood's just Tweeted saying 'Next week is NOT the end!!'
ooo intriguing, well I guess that we'll just have to wait and see what happens - watch this space!

The Fruits of my Labour: Summer Fruits and Cream Cupcakes

Here is the latest offering from my little baking project - I hope you like them - I'm really pleased with the results :)

To make them I used the usual recipe, which incase you've forgotton is:

Ingredients

55g (2oz) Margarine
28g (1oz) Caster Sugar
55g (2oz) Self Raising Flour
1 egg
1stp Baking Powder
2tsp Vanilla Essence

Recipe

1. Mix the flour, sugar, egg and margarine together in a large mixing bowl for two to three minutes until fully combined.

2. To this mixture add the Vanilla essence and Baking powder and stir again until completely mixed.

3. Fill the muffin cases to just over half way.

4. Put in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 190C (180C Fan) Gas 5 until springy and a light golden colour.

Now the topping this time, was different than usual, because I used whipping cream - Oh My Delia, how difficult is it to whip cream? I swear I sprained my wrist!!
But I must admit that I felt oddly satisfied after I'd done it (even if I did over whip it a bit - which I didn't find out until I watched Celebrity Masterchef - apparently if it's got water coming out of it then you've whipped it too much - Thank you Mr. John Torode)

To the cream, I then folded in about 200g of Icing sugar to sweeten, then simply piped it over the cupcakes and decorated with Summer Fruits.

The final effect is slightly more rough and ready than usual, because of the nature of the cream, but I think that this adds a certain je nais se quoi to the look of the cupcakes, don't you?

Until next time,

Happy Baking!

X

PS - Follow me on twitter @CupcakesCakes :)

National Cupcake Week

Incase you didn't already know, next week is National Cupcake week, and I'm very excited...

Already in it's third year, this annual celebration marking 'bakers' creativity and passion' is going from strength to strength, and promises, this year, to be as exciting as ever.
Set up in association with British Baker Magazine, National Cupcakes week is designed not only to encourage and promote baking bussinesses, but also to raise money for worthwhile causes, with this years chosen charity being CLIC Sargent, the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people.

The National Cupcake website gives a little more information on this charity:

"Every day 10 children and young people in the UK are told they have cancer, and diagnosis usually comes as a shock. CLIC Sargent is the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people up to the age of 24. It provides clinical, practical, and emotional support to help the whole family cope with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement. For more information about CLIC Sargent's work please visit www.clicsargent.org.uk or call 0300 330 0803"

There are lots of ways you can get involved with this week...

Suggestions on the organizations website:

http://www.nationalcupcakeweek.co.uk/page/clic_sargent.html

• If you're a baking business, why not bake some cupcakes in aid of CLIC Sargent and make a percentage donation from sales of a dedicated cupcake during National Cupcake Week

• Cupcake pin badges: Stock 100 of the National Cupcake Week's scrummy cupcake pin badges for a suggested donation of £1 each and help raise vital funds for children with cancer.

Other Ideas for individuals:

• If you're just an individual with a passion for baking, then you can take part too... Why not host a tea party for friends and family and ask each guest to make a donation to the CLIC, in honour of National Cupcake week.

• Had along to your local bakery and show your support by buying National Cupcake week badges or cakes.

CLIC does some amazing work for very poorly Children and it would be wonderful if as many people as possible could take part and spread the word during this coming week, to help raise lots of money for this very worthy charity.

For more information and recipes check out the National Cupcake Week's website at - http://www.nationalcupcakeweek.co.uk/

or Follow them on Twitter at - @CupcakeWeek and show them your support!

Until next time,

Happy Baking!

X

It's Official: We're on Twitter!

As the title says... we are now on Twitter! (Yay)

You can find us at @Cupcakescakes or by pressing the button on the right :) >>>>>>>
So drop by and say 'Hi', or follow us to keep upto date with everything that's good and sweet!

See you there...

Happy Baking!

X