The Afternoon Tea Club: National Afternoon Tea Week: Yesterday marked the start of National Afternoon Tea week and with us being everso slightly partial to a bit of tea and cake, we got very e...
Friday, 17 August 2012
The Afternoon Tea Club: National Afternoon Tea Week
The Afternoon Tea Club: National Afternoon Tea Week: Yesterday marked the start of National Afternoon Tea week and with us being everso slightly partial to a bit of tea and cake, we got very e...
Saturday, 11 August 2012
What Happened When I went Away: Edible Delights from the Lakes Part 2
If you're an avid reader of my blog (which I'm sure you are!!) you'll probably be aware that I like eating cake - and if you're very good, you may even remember a little post I did last year, dedicated to my Lake District holiday desserts. Well I returned to the Lakes once again this year and have some more yummy treats to share with you, so sit back, relax and enjoy!!
1. The Minstrel Gallery, Hawkshead
For the first stop on my travels around the lake, I called in at Hawkshead - a pretty little village about half an hour away from Windermere - to sample some of their tasty treats.
The one time home of Beatrix Potter boasts a number of cute tea rooms and pubs, and is the perfect place for walkers and tourists alike to take a load off and relax over a cup of coffee. After a tough decision, I decided to visit The Minstrel Gallery at the heart of the villiage, to try some of their yummy Victoria Sandwich and Carrot Cake (don't worry I didn't eat two entire slices all by myself!)
2. Cartmel Village Shop, Coffee Shop
Next stop on the road was Cartmel Village Shop - home of the original Sticky Toffee Pudding and my personal culinary Mecca. When in Cartmel what else can you have other than STP? and STP I had, however in my haste I forgot to photograph it, so all I have to offer this time is a photo of some of the best cheese sandwiches ever... enjoy. Lovely place to try if you get the opportunity!
1. The Minstrel Gallery, Hawkshead
For the first stop on my travels around the lake, I called in at Hawkshead - a pretty little village about half an hour away from Windermere - to sample some of their tasty treats.
The one time home of Beatrix Potter boasts a number of cute tea rooms and pubs, and is the perfect place for walkers and tourists alike to take a load off and relax over a cup of coffee. After a tough decision, I decided to visit The Minstrel Gallery at the heart of the villiage, to try some of their yummy Victoria Sandwich and Carrot Cake (don't worry I didn't eat two entire slices all by myself!)
2. Cartmel Village Shop, Coffee Shop
Next stop on the road was Cartmel Village Shop - home of the original Sticky Toffee Pudding and my personal culinary Mecca. When in Cartmel what else can you have other than STP? and STP I had, however in my haste I forgot to photograph it, so all I have to offer this time is a photo of some of the best cheese sandwiches ever... enjoy. Lovely place to try if you get the opportunity!
3. Cartmel Coffee, Cartmel
Not satisfied with STP alone, I then headed to Cartmel Coffee - a modern little coffee bar, decorated prettily in pinks and whites - for a deconstructed Eton Mess (Strawberries, Cream and Meringue) and coffee. This was a little gluttonous, but I couldn't help myself and I don't regret it one bit - It was delicious!
4. Heidi's, Grasmere
Whenever I go to Grasmere, I always visit Heidi's and this time was no different. Serving lovely food, in cute, homely surroundings, Heidi's is one of the most welcoming places the village has to offer... (they also serve a cracking Sticky Toffee Pudding, which I hope more than makes up for the lack of photos from Cartmel!)
5. Cote How Organic Guest House and Tea Room, Rydal
One of only three Organic guset houses in the UK, Cote How sits neatly inbetween Ambleside and Grasmere, only two minutes away from Rydal lake. With idyllic countryside settings and comfortable outside seating, this pretty tea room boasts to have 'The best scones in the world' and I can confirm that this is infact true - A real must if you're ever in the area.
Not satisfied with STP alone, I then headed to Cartmel Coffee - a modern little coffee bar, decorated prettily in pinks and whites - for a deconstructed Eton Mess (Strawberries, Cream and Meringue) and coffee. This was a little gluttonous, but I couldn't help myself and I don't regret it one bit - It was delicious!
4. Heidi's, Grasmere
Whenever I go to Grasmere, I always visit Heidi's and this time was no different. Serving lovely food, in cute, homely surroundings, Heidi's is one of the most welcoming places the village has to offer... (they also serve a cracking Sticky Toffee Pudding, which I hope more than makes up for the lack of photos from Cartmel!)
5. Cote How Organic Guest House and Tea Room, Rydal
One of only three Organic guset houses in the UK, Cote How sits neatly inbetween Ambleside and Grasmere, only two minutes away from Rydal lake. With idyllic countryside settings and comfortable outside seating, this pretty tea room boasts to have 'The best scones in the world' and I can confirm that this is infact true - A real must if you're ever in the area.
6. Zefferelli's, Ambleside
Not strcitly a coffee shop, Zefferelli's of Ambleside is a wholefood restaurant which serves a delightful selection of Italian Cuisine, in the healthiest possible way. I had to share my Summer Fruits Sundae with you, just for its sheer prettiness!
Not strcitly a coffee shop, Zefferelli's of Ambleside is a wholefood restaurant which serves a delightful selection of Italian Cuisine, in the healthiest possible way. I had to share my Summer Fruits Sundae with you, just for its sheer prettiness!
Happy Baking!
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I'm still here...
Recently I've been a terrible, terrible bloogger and I must apologise for this...
So here's a little post to just check in and let you all know that I'm still around and looking forward to blogging some more very soon.
I have some very exciting things in the pipe line, but until then be sure to check out my twitter for all of the latest excitement... I can be found at @CupcakesCakes
Happy Baking!
X
Friday, 20 July 2012
The Afternoon Tea Club: The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Moose Coffee, Live...
The Afternoon Tea Club: The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Moose Coffee, Live...: Environment Caroline: Simple but chic are the words which I'd use to describe the environment at Moose Coffee. Complete with leather chairs...
Thursday, 5 July 2012
The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Central Perk
The Afternoon Tea Club: The Afternoon Tea Club Reviews: Central Perk, Live...: Environment Laura: Could we BEEE anymore excited to be visiting Central Perk?! Smelly Cat mugs, chalk boards with New York themed bevera...
Monday, 11 June 2012
Victoria Sandwich
If you read my last post, you'll probably remember me saying that I was going to post a recipe for Victoria Sandwich Cake. Well, as promised, here is said recipe...
Ingredients
175g (6oz) Margarine
175g (6oz) Caster Sugar
175g (6oz) Self Raising Flour
3 Eggs (Beaten)
Pinch of Salt
Strawberry Jam
Whipped Cream (optional)
1. Beat margarine in a large bowl until soft/fluffy.
2. Add the sugar to the margarine, mix both together with a wooden spoon.
3. Beat three large eggs in a bowl, before adding them a little at a time to the margarine/sugar mixture, beating well inbetween each addition.
4. Sift the flower into the mix and gently stir in. (If the mix becomes too thick, add a drop of milk until it reaches a dropping consistency)
5. Add a pinch of salt and stir in.
6. Grease and line two sponge tins and divide the mixture between both.
7. Put in the oven for 27 minutes at 180C (160C FAN)
8. Take the sponges out of the oven, removing them from their tins (using a sharp bladed knide around the edges if necessary) Leave to cool on a wire rack for half an hour.
9. Spread Jam (I like to use almost a whole jar of Bon Maman Conserve) over one of the sponges and place the other on top, creating a sandwich. (you can add cream as well if you like!)
10. Dust with icing sugar and serve!
Happy Baking!
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Wednesday, 6 June 2012
Diamond Jubilee Baking
Yesterday, to celebrate the Queen's diamond jubilee, we had a royal feast, consisting of a tea party and buffet. Since it was such a special occasion, I couldn't let it pass by without paying homage to the Queen in cake form. Here are my results...
A royal celebration, wouldn't be a celebration without the Queen's face on a cupcake and I was keen not to disappoint, so here she is in all her glory. The recipe was the usual one and I also used gold edible glitter to decorate. The toppers were from a lovely ebayer and the cases from a local baking shop.
To coincide with the cupcakes, I also decided to make a Victoria Sandwich which I'll post about in a separate entry, where I'll add a detailed recipe.
For anyone who just wants a quick idea of how to make it you do this;
Cream 6oz of margarine and 6oz of sugar in a large bowl. Beat three eggs together in a mug and slowly add to the sugar/margarine mix, completely mixing in the eggs inbetween each addition. Once all of the egg is mixed in, slowly add 6oz of self raising flour. Add a pinch of salt. Mix well. Grease and Line 2 cake tins and divide the mixture between both. Put in the oven at 150-160C for 27 minutes. Remove from oven and leave to cool. Spread Jam/Conserve on one of the cakes and then place the other on top. Dust with icing sugar.
Like I said, that's very basic, so if you want something a little easier to follow then look out for my next post which will be a lot more detailed.(I can confirm that it tastes very nice, even if I do say so myself!)
That's it on the cake front, but if you like buffets, then have a look at the rest of our delicacies...
Strawberries and Cream, Making it a truely British affair!
Pasta Salad
A royal celebration, wouldn't be a celebration without the Queen's face on a cupcake and I was keen not to disappoint, so here she is in all her glory. The recipe was the usual one and I also used gold edible glitter to decorate. The toppers were from a lovely ebayer and the cases from a local baking shop.
To coincide with the cupcakes, I also decided to make a Victoria Sandwich which I'll post about in a separate entry, where I'll add a detailed recipe.
For anyone who just wants a quick idea of how to make it you do this;
Cream 6oz of margarine and 6oz of sugar in a large bowl. Beat three eggs together in a mug and slowly add to the sugar/margarine mix, completely mixing in the eggs inbetween each addition. Once all of the egg is mixed in, slowly add 6oz of self raising flour. Add a pinch of salt. Mix well. Grease and Line 2 cake tins and divide the mixture between both. Put in the oven at 150-160C for 27 minutes. Remove from oven and leave to cool. Spread Jam/Conserve on one of the cakes and then place the other on top. Dust with icing sugar.
Like I said, that's very basic, so if you want something a little easier to follow then look out for my next post which will be a lot more detailed.(I can confirm that it tastes very nice, even if I do say so myself!)
That's it on the cake front, but if you like buffets, then have a look at the rest of our delicacies...
Strawberries and Cream, Making it a truely British affair!
Pasta Salad
Our fair table!
Until next time,
Happy Baking!
X
Happy Baking!
X
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