Selling Cakes at Craft Fairs

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone can help me out with a question...
I'm thinking of starting to sell my cakes at craft fairs/boot sales on a casual basis and was wondering if anyone knows what the UK health and safety regulations are (if any) for selling food products on a casual basis at such events?
I've heard that you don't need any if you're only selling on an infrequent basis - Is this true?
Any advice anyone could give me on this matter would be much appreciated!
Thankyouu!

:)

X

We're on Facebook

As the title suggests, we are now on Facebook - yay!
If you have an account, then come over and say 'hi' - we'd love to meet you!
This is perfect if you want to keep upto date with our posts but don't have blogger or if you just love all things cupcake!
See you over there :)

http://www.facebook.com/cupcakesanddisasters

Happy Baking

X

A Girl Can Dream: The Perfect Birthday Cake - Choccywoccydoodah

Choccywoccydoodah

After writing my last post, I sat down with a cup of tea (okay coffee, but tea sounds so much genteel, don't you think?) and a cupcake (okay a hobnob) to watch the new series of Choccywoccydoodah on the Good Food Channel.

Oh my, how incredible are their cakes?

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of watching the show yet, it's a fly on the wall documentary, which follows the staff at the marvelous chocolate and cake specialists Choccywoccydoodah in Brighton, as they go about their daily business of creating edible masterpieces! Do watch it if you can - it's addictive viewing.

Anyway, the cake they were making in this particular episode, was probably one of the most beautiful things that I have ever seen - it had edible butterflys and everything - and it got me thinking, how AMAZING it would be to have a cake like that for my 21st Birthday!
So I went to their website to have a look at what they do - I am now officially in love with a Cake.
'A Cake?'
'Yes a cake!'
But this isn't just any cake. No. This is a cake and then some. This is a magical cake. This is the stuff of dreams. This is perfection... Have I got my point across?

No words can do this cake justice, so I won't even try.
Just look at this...

It's a Teaparty on a cake - how fabulous is that?
Look at the mini chocolate cupcakes and the teapot with the pouring tea... Ahh I don't think that it could be any cuter if it tried, it's just wonderful!
But alas there's a snag... with prices starting at £400, it seems unlikely that I'll be able to afford anything like this anytime soon - unless I win the Lottery? Or buy it and charge an entrance fee for people to come and have a look!

Anyway that's another one to go on the dream list, alongside winning the Booker Prize and getting into the X Factor Final (okay so that's not one, but it's everyone elses dream, so it may as well be mine too!)


If you're curious to see more, check out the Choccywoccydoodah website at: http://www.choccywoccydoodah.com/index.html

Until next time,

Happy Baking

X

PS- I promise to actually bake something one of these days and as soon as I do, I'll post it on here! :)

Celebrity Birthday Cakes

If you're rich and famous, then you're gonna want a cool birthday cake - and boy do these guys know how to buy cake... Take a look at some of the best celebrity Birthday Cakes of the last twelve months!

1. Fearne Cotton
There's only really one word for this cake and that's 'Wow.'
Made by Fancy Nancy Cakes in Essex, this is probably one of the best cakes I've ever seen!

2. Darren Criss
I love this picture for so many reasons, but mainly because it contains my two favourite things - Darren Criss and Cake! (Yay on both accounts)
But look at the cake... It's a giant pair of Pink Cake Sunglasses - Even if you're not a Starkid that's got to be Totally Awesome? Yes? Yes!


3. Katy Perry
Made for Katy Perry by the incredibly talented Albert Kahiau Ontiveros at Kahiau's Kakes, this Willy Wonka inspired masterpiece is certainly one to take your breath away!
- I think I'm a bit in love with it, it's sooo pretty :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE the oompa Lumpas


Finally...

4. Gary Barlow
Take That legend Gary Barlow is 40 - who knew?! I certainly didn't, but just look at this beautiful cake - I adore it - Especially the little sugar craft figures - very cute!


Feeling inspired? I know I am (and everso slightly jealous...ahem)
I don't know if I'm ready to attempt cake art just yet, but who knows, maybe one day... until then I'm happy enough to wow over these!

If you have any comments drop me a line, but until next time... Happy Baking!

X

Strawberry Swirl Cupcakes with Strawberry Centres

I made these last week... Now I wasn't 100% happy with the presentation because I rushed them a little, but I was extremely happy with the taste!

So the recipe, if you'd like to try them...

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.

5. Take cakes out and leave to cool on a wire rack for half an hour.

6. Carefully use a knife to cut a cylindrical shape in the middle of the cake and scoop out a well for the jam to go in.

7. Fill the well with your favourite Strawberry Jam - I like Bon Maman but any will do - and then place your cutout shape back on top.

8. Ice in the usual manner (Buttercream - you could even add some cream cheese for taste) and then drizzle with Strawberry sauce and decorate to taste.

For the Strawberry Sauce

Mix 2 tablespoons of icing sugar with a few drops of water/milk to form a watery paste, stir in one teaspoon of jam and continue to mix until runny enough to pour.

I can guarantee that these are the nicest things I've ever made - so try them :)

Happy Baking!

X

And the Winner is...

And the Winner is...

Everso slightly late, but congratulations to Jo Wheatley on her Great British Bake Off win last week.

Although I was notsosecretly rooting for Holly, I have to say that I absolutely adored Jo's petit fours and thought that her display case was absolutely divine - like really pretty - which in my opinion made her a really deserving winner!

Congratulations Jo - I'll have a slice of Cake in your honour!

X

PS - Am I the only one who feels sorry for that poor little squirrel? The poor mite's lost all his dignity! Was a bit funny though :)