Enjoy!On a hot sunny afternoon, what's better than an ice cream themed Cupcake to lift your day?
These are made using the usual recipe with the addition of a flake bar and chocolate sprinkles for decoration.
Happy Summer!
X
Monday, 4 July 2011
99 Flake Cakes
Enjoy!On a hot sunny afternoon, what's better than an ice cream themed Cupcake to lift your day?
These are made using the usual recipe with the addition of a flake bar and chocolate sprinkles for decoration.
Happy Summer!
X
I got a new Piping Set... Again
So over the weekend I thought... 'You know what? I just don't have enough Piping Bags and Nozzles' so while I was in Liverpool I headed to the Lakeland shop to buy some new equipment. Here's what I got...
My New Piping Set :)
It was a little expensive at £11.99, but being metal, the quality of the nozzles is far superior to anything that I've used before.
The set includes a large piping bag which is perfect if you want to ice lots of cakes. The only slight problem is that oil tends to leak from the icing mixture through the bag, making your hands a bit messy, but otherwise it's perfect!
Happy Baking!
X
My New Piping Set :)It was a little expensive at £11.99, but being metal, the quality of the nozzles is far superior to anything that I've used before.
The set includes a large piping bag which is perfect if you want to ice lots of cakes. The only slight problem is that oil tends to leak from the icing mixture through the bag, making your hands a bit messy, but otherwise it's perfect!
Happy Baking!
X
Friday, 1 July 2011
Black Olive Focaccia
Last Friday, I finally got around to making the Black Olive Focaccia that I promised you about a million years ago, so voila!
Having never really made bread before, apart from the occasional pizza base, I hoped and prayed that it would turn out right, and as you can see, it kinda did.
Now it's not something that I would recommend making if you don't have a lot of time, because you really need a whole afternoon to dedicate to it, but if you do I would definitely suggest that you try it (It goes really well with pasta, but is also pretty nice by itself, and gets even better when left for twenty four hours - I really don't know why, do you?)
So you'll want the recipe, because I know it's all you've been thinking about since you saw it on the list, so here goes:
Ingredients
500g/ 1 lb 2oz Strong White Bread Flour, Plus a little extra for dusting
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Easy Blend Dried Yeast
350ml/ 12fl oz tepid water
6 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
115g/ 4oz Pitted Black Olives coursely Chopped (Plus Extra for Topping)
1 tsp Rock Salt
Sprinkle of Rosemary
Method
1. Sift Flour and salt into a warm bowl and stir in the yeast.
2. Pour in the water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix until a soft dough. (If dough is too sticky add a little more flour)
3. Knead dough on a floured work surface for five to ten minutes.
4. Place kneaded dough into an warm, oiled bowl and cover with clingfilm , before leaving it to stand in a warm place for an hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. After an hour take the dough and punch it to knock the air out of it.
6. Knead the dough on a floured work surface for one minute.
7. Add the chopped Olives and knead again until fully combined. Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into an oval (roughly 28 x 23cm) and place them both onto seperate pre oiled baking trays.
8. Cover the trays with oiled clingfilm and leave in a warm place for an hour, until dough is puffy.
9. Press fingers into dough to make dimples, drizzle over 2 tablespoons of oil and sprinkle with rock salt. Top with whole olives and a sprinkling of Rosemary.
10. Bake in a pre heated oven at 200C/ 400F/ Gas Mark 6, for 30 - 35 minutes.
11. Remove from oven and drizzle with Olive Oil and enjoy!
Okay, so that's all... Oh other than to be careful to only use 1 teaspoon of rock salt and not a tablespoon like I accidentally did, because it really does make the bread very salty, which isn't always a good thing!
So until next time,
Happy Baking!
X
Having never really made bread before, apart from the occasional pizza base, I hoped and prayed that it would turn out right, and as you can see, it kinda did.
Now it's not something that I would recommend making if you don't have a lot of time, because you really need a whole afternoon to dedicate to it, but if you do I would definitely suggest that you try it (It goes really well with pasta, but is also pretty nice by itself, and gets even better when left for twenty four hours - I really don't know why, do you?)
So you'll want the recipe, because I know it's all you've been thinking about since you saw it on the list, so here goes:
Ingredients
500g/ 1 lb 2oz Strong White Bread Flour, Plus a little extra for dusting
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Easy Blend Dried Yeast
350ml/ 12fl oz tepid water
6 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
115g/ 4oz Pitted Black Olives coursely Chopped (Plus Extra for Topping)
1 tsp Rock Salt
Sprinkle of Rosemary
Method
1. Sift Flour and salt into a warm bowl and stir in the yeast.
2. Pour in the water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and mix until a soft dough. (If dough is too sticky add a little more flour)
3. Knead dough on a floured work surface for five to ten minutes.
4. Place kneaded dough into an warm, oiled bowl and cover with clingfilm , before leaving it to stand in a warm place for an hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
5. After an hour take the dough and punch it to knock the air out of it.
6. Knead the dough on a floured work surface for one minute.
7. Add the chopped Olives and knead again until fully combined. Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into an oval (roughly 28 x 23cm) and place them both onto seperate pre oiled baking trays.
8. Cover the trays with oiled clingfilm and leave in a warm place for an hour, until dough is puffy.
9. Press fingers into dough to make dimples, drizzle over 2 tablespoons of oil and sprinkle with rock salt. Top with whole olives and a sprinkling of Rosemary.
10. Bake in a pre heated oven at 200C/ 400F/ Gas Mark 6, for 30 - 35 minutes.
11. Remove from oven and drizzle with Olive Oil and enjoy!
Okay, so that's all... Oh other than to be careful to only use 1 teaspoon of rock salt and not a tablespoon like I accidentally did, because it really does make the bread very salty, which isn't always a good thing!
So until next time,
Happy Baking!
X
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Review: Teacup on Thomas Street, Manchester
Hidden away in the up and coming Norther Quarter of Manchester city centre, Teacup on Thomas Street is one of my favourite places in the entire world!
Owned by local DJ Mr Scruff (Andy Carthy) this understated New York-esque Tearoom is the perfect place for whiling away an afternoon or two, and offers a variety of wholesome home made treats and lunches, all at very reasonable prices!
Flourless Chocolate Cake and a LatteI was first introduced to Teacup several months ago by a friend and it has quickly become one of my regular haunts, when I need to escape from uni work, or simply want a slice of their delicious flourless Chocolate Cake (and Oh how delicious it is!)
On my various visits to the tearoom, I've had the pleasure of trying out several of their sweet treats as well as a couple of their delectable toasted sandwiches, and I have to say that there isn't a better tea shop in the Manchester Area, for its food, service or atmosphere which are all second to none.
Panini's at noonThe presentation of their food has the feeling of something really special, and that's exactly what you get. The sandwiches in particular are lovingly crafted and displayed on rustic wooden blocks accompanied by cute little espresso cups of coleslaw and radishes, creating the prefect expreience.
Cupcakes and CoffeeIf you're in Manchester and want to have the best tea experience the City has to offer, then go along to Teacup on Thomas Street, and get a taste of brilliance!
Happy Eating!
X
PS- Also have a look at their website for further information at: http://teacupandcakes.com/
Chocolate Cupcakes
This week's offerings are Chocolate Cupcakes, technically not on the list, but hey here they are - I couldn't resist!
The recipe is the same as the Chocolate Bites from a few weeks ago, minus the chocolate centres and the topping is made by mixing margarine, cocoa powder and icing sucar together until the mixture reaches a firm consistency.
Topped off with pretty multi coloured sprinkles, these would make the perfect accompaniment to any afternoon tea!
Happy Baking!
X
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Things I Love: Glee Cake
After my last post I decided to see if I could find myself on google images, you know, as you do... and while I was looking, I came across this master piece:
I mean, seriously wow... this is possibly one of the coolest cakes I've ever seen.
You want to know who made it?
Well so did I... and after having a little look around the internet I discovered that it was made by Piece of Cake Desserts in Arizona. As it turns out all of their cakes are pretty amazing, and if anyone has a spare $650 and fancies treating me for my 21st then I'd love one of these... it's just a shame I don't live in America!
If you want to read about this cake, check out their blog Here
Happy Baking!
X
I mean, seriously wow... this is possibly one of the coolest cakes I've ever seen.
You want to know who made it?
Well so did I... and after having a little look around the internet I discovered that it was made by Piece of Cake Desserts in Arizona. As it turns out all of their cakes are pretty amazing, and if anyone has a spare $650 and fancies treating me for my 21st then I'd love one of these... it's just a shame I don't live in America!
If you want to read about this cake, check out their blog Here
Happy Baking!
X
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Glee Cupcakes
Ahh the Beautiful CupcakesThis week was the Glee Season 2 Finale in the UK, and being the MASSIVE Gleek that I am, I decided that I couldn't let this occasion pass by without some form of celebration... so drum roll please... I present to you my Glee Cupcakes!
I must say that I was pretty impressed with my efforts and very much enjoyed nibbling my way through one or two of these whilst watching the New Directions competing in the nationals and Klaine saying 'I love you.' (aww)
GleekSo you're gonna want to know how to make these, coz who doesn't love Glee, right? (and even if you don't love Glee, you must love cake, so you're winning either way!)
This is the easiest recipe in the world, but it's also probably the best sponge I've ever made.
The main body of the recipe comes from one which I was taught at school in home economics, but as usual I've adjusted it a little to make it even better!
StarsSoo the recipe for four cakes 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.
Mr Shue CakeFor the topping it's the same school of thought as the Carrot Cake I made a few weeks ago, it's a case of trial and error and using a LOT of icing sugar!
The stars were bought from a lovely little online company called Top My Party Cake, who sell the best cake accessories ever and sold them to me for the bargain price of £3.79 - A bargain? I think so...Have a look at their site if you get a minute!
And for the final finishing touches I've used multi coloured sugar sprinkles and pink edible glitter, to give it that extra Rachel Berry sparkle :)
The stars were bought from a lovely little online company called Top My Party Cake, who sell the best cake accessories ever and sold them to me for the bargain price of £3.79 - A bargain? I think so...Have a look at their site if you get a minute!
And for the final finishing touches I've used multi coloured sugar sprinkles and pink edible glitter, to give it that extra Rachel Berry sparkle :)
Rachel Berry SparkleLike I said before, I loved these and had great fun making them, so watch this space for more Glee Cakes next season!
Until Next time,
Happy Baking!
X
Happy Baking!
X
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