Saturday 17 November 2012

Blue Mini Cupcakes



This was a special request for a 10th birthday party at the weekend... you know me and the vibrant colours.....! Auntie Denise picked up some amazing food colours for me, whilst shopping in America a few weeks ago.. I have been itching to try them ever since...so here they are! They were definitely a hit with all the children!
 
The mini cupcakes were baked in teeny silicone molds and then just a simple buttercream icing on top!




Tuesday 13 November 2012

Happy Diwali - White Chocolate and Nut Barfi


Happy Diwali.... Take 2! 
I try a different combo of barfi or Indian sweets every year and this has got to be one of my favourite experiments!! The yummy crunch of chopped nuts and white chocolate pieces layered in between give this a great texture and flavour!  It is my modern twist to the usual flavours you will find in your local Indian sweet shops!
I use this recipe below and have added chopped nuts and small pieces of white chocolate.... the possibilities are endless! 





Improvising with a candle box I found spare in my cupboard!  They fit perfectly and  wonderful to present as a gift. :-)


Ingredients


200g milk powder

150ml carton double cream
1tbsp butter
1tsp ground cinammon powder
60g chopped nuts
397g can condensed milk
50g chopped white chocolate


Topping 
50g melted white chocolate
sprinkles
glitter

1)Mix the milk powder and double cream until it forms a thick and crumbly paste
2)Heat the butter over a low heat and stir in the cinnamon and nuts and toast for a few minutes
3)Add the cream mixture and the condensed milk.  The mixture will be solid to start wit but will soften as you heat.  Keep stirring until the mixture starts to come away from the sides.
4)Stir through the white chocolate and pour into a non stick tray to a 2-3cm thickness.
Spread over the melted white chocolate and add sprinkles and glitter!
5)Allow to cool and set in fridge... cut into squares :-) 


Monday 12 November 2012

Happy Diwali - Bollywood Party Rings!


Happy Diwali to all those celebrating!
I adore party rings and had this on my list of things to do in a while..... then I suddenly thought... why not add a bit of colour as it just approaching Diwali anyway.  A splash of colour and here goes.....my little Bollywood Diva cookies were created!  I just used a simple recipe for the biscuits and i'm sure you will have a tried and tesed recipe that works for you... If not, why not check this one out.... I have used this recipe many times in the past and I find the flavour of the mixed spice and cinnamon also gives them a little edge! :-)    
Beautiful fuschia and electric blue to get you in the mood for the party! :-)
Happy Diwali and a very prosperous new year! 

Happy Diwali to my little adorable girl Maya.
Lots of love Mummy and Daddy xx

Sunday 11 November 2012

White Chocolate Sprinkles Cake


I just adore how these little sprinkles can add so much colour and fun!   This was a cake for a baby shower.  I just used a basic sponge and this recipe for the buttercream icing!   


I am still in love with Belle and Boo and had a special request for these little beauties to be added...  I then made some miniature bunting and hey presto! I was really pleased it went down so well! :-) 

Sunday 4 November 2012

Pretty Blosssom Cupcakes

Just for fun... pretty cherry blossom cupcakes with glitter butterflies.
These were too pretty to eat, but were great fun to make!
The little vanilla sponge cupcakes are topped off with a layer of coloured sugarpaste and decorated with little blossom and butterflies. :-) 














Caramel Vanilla Cake


 Sweet but delicious as a 'coffee' or espresso cake!
Moist Vanilla sponge made with a handful of almonds and  yogurt layered with a yummy caramel filling..... scrumptious!

Yummy caramel topping finished with a sprinkling (generous of course!) of chopped nuts..

Ingredients-
  • 225g very soft butter
  • 200g golden caster sugar
  • 175g self-raising flour
  • 85g ground almonds
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3 eggs
  • 150ml natural yogurt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Filling
 150g caramel (can be bought canned)
 50g chopped nuts or anything else that takes your fancy!

Method
  1. Preheat oven to 180c or 160c fan. Grease and line base of a 6 inch tin. 
  2. Whizz all the ingredients together in a mixer. Bake for 30-40 minutes until a skewer poked through comes out clean
  3. When the sponge has cooled, cut through to make 3 equal slices (or 2 if you prefer!)
  4. Spread a layer of caramel onto the bottom layer.  Place second layer on top and repeat.  Sprinkle chopped nuts.. yum!