Adventures in Cake

It's a cupcake, but it's healthy...almost

2012-02-02T21:38:00.000Z

Darling boy's school had a party and I was more than happy to bring along some cupcakes (for the grownups, the kids had more than enough cake!)

Wanting to do something different from the usual treat of chocolate and the crowd pleaser of vanilla, and feeling spicy, I went with carrot cake. These are topped with a cinnamon buttercream which keeps it cakey, but the cake itself is a low fat recipe and of course the carrots in the cake make them healthy, innit.

How to become an accidental husband poisoner

2012-01-28T21:40:00.000Z

Imagine the scene, you are due to visit a new friends house (these lovely people with their own fantastic farm and wonderful rare breed products) and then some more friends the following day. Baking is needed and something chocolately. Mums are always in need of chocolate.

Step 1. Begin one of your favourite recipes - Rocky Road- without fully checking you have all the required ingredients

Step 2. Get to the bit where you add the crushed biscuits and find you haven't enough. Get in a flap and say rude words (both boys are in bed, so I quite enjoy having a jolly old swear apres bedtime)

Step 3. Feel relieved and smug when you find a stash of amaretti biscuits at the back of the cupboard. Add the almondy biscuits, complete the recipe, put in the fridge to set and toddle off to bed.

Here comes the crucial bit...

Step 4. The next day, dust with icing sugar, slice and box up in 2 batches and then, go out for the evening without thinking to mention to Handsome husband about the unusual addition of the amaretti biscuits...

The following morning Handsome husband mentions that he really doesn't feel very well at all. I ask him what he ate (as I was out for the evening he was self catering) The food he lists all seems pretty normal, apart from 'oh and two of those chocolately things in the cupboard'

Oops. Handsome husband has a nut allergy. Two visits to the emergency out of hours doctors and a prescription of mega ultra antihistamines, an unbearable rash, constant nausea, nearly a week off work and an aching restricted throat, Handsome husband has just about forgiven me. Though not without checking e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g I now offer him is nut free.

And, by the way, if you were wondering, the addition of the amaretti biscuits to the Rocky Road was actually very tasty, just the teeniest bit toxic to those who are anti-nut!

Exciting news about a new arrival

2012-01-27T12:07:00.002Z

Well, I haven't been posting much since christmas not because I haven't had anything to say, but because what I have had to say is so exciting, but has also been top secret until recently... It's been hard to think about much else really.

Close friends had guessed it and family are delighted. Can you guess what it is?

Baby number 3 is on the way! All things being well our third baby will be due in early August. Little brother is very excited and is quite keen on having a sister. Little brother I think vaguely gets it- though he saw the scan and said 'doggie' so perhaps not.

We aren't any closer to the barn conversion being completed, or even started and although we were planning to wait on being in the barn before trying for a third baby, quite frankly we got bored of waiting. We needed to get on with our lives, and what better way to get on with you life, than creating a new one!

nb, the photo is obviously not baby number 3's fingers, but little brothers- though you get the idea.

Chestnut christmas cake

2012-01-17T16:03:00.002Z

Here is our christmas cake from this year (well, last year to be technical about it) I went with the Nigella chestnut puree one, and it sure is lovely. Very tasty, moist, fruity and nutty without being too boring and grownup (fruit cake always strikes me as something of an old lady of the cake world)

Rather than being marzipanned and royally iced (as Handsome husband can't eat the marzipan and no-one likes the royal icing (apart from Darling bout who will eat the entire cakes worth of it if left unchecked) This beauty is glazed in jam and covered in glade cherries. Yum.

Perfect with a hot cuppa. Quite fancy a slice now actually, shame its all gone.

Volcanos on the school run

2011-12-16T00:31:00.000Z

Questions from Darling boy this morning on the school run included; what is a volcano? what is an earthquake? what is inside a dinosaur? what is inside concrete? He is 3 1/2 years old.

All these tricksy questions meant I took a wrong turn on the school route- which I have driven 4 times a week for a year, so taxed was my brain.

I searched a long way back to my geography lessons and came up with an answer to the volcano one which involved the words 'magma' and 'lava' and me describing it like a mountain with a big straw in the middle which goes into the centre of the earth, where it is so hot, the rock has turned to liquid. I hope this is right. My answer to the one about earthquakes involved the word 'tectonic plates' which I said were like jigsaw pieces- though I got a bit vague on why they rubbed together and got wobbly. I really couldn't remember why they do this.

I said dinosaurs had organs inside them just like we do, i.e. heart and lungs and livers and stomachs- I hope this is right too, I'm not sure. As soon as I said it I had my doubts. By this point, I was hoping to dodge the concrete question, but Darling boy wasn't so easily put off and really wanted to know. I came up with 'sand and special glue'.

I told marvellous dad all about these questions. He laughed and said he could tell Darling boy all about concrete when we go there for christmas- and I just know Darling boy will be hanging off his every word.

Stir up Sunday

2011-12-11T18:40:00.001Z

Ok, so Stir up Sunday was a few weeks back, and is actually for the christmas pudding, not the cake- but what is christmas if not a chance to break from tradition (actually, thats the opposite of what christmas is, where it seems everything from the ancient decorations on the tree, to the order in which the days events should unfold, should be the same every year for complete seasonal family happiness all round, but anyhoo)

So, this year I opted for a Nigella cake as it is both nut free (for Handsome husband who is an almond dodger) and also contains the magical chestnut puree stuff which is beyond delicious and has the most beautiful packaging. You wrap it like a traditional christmas cake homage to the Sound of Music (a brown paper package, tied up with string) pour the goodness in and bake in a lowish oven. Once its out, you can feed it with booze each week as you like, then glaze the top with fruits, stand back and admire.

The chocolate bourbon

2011-12-07T12:39:00.001Z

Here is chapter one in the cannon of classic biscuits...the chocolate bourbon. Much more chocolately and satisfying than the shop version. Pretty easy to make and with a chocolate buttercream icing in the centre, it makes the biscuit something more of a treat too. It's more squeezey to eat, but worth making again. Little brother chose the home-made one over the shop one when offered both- clever boy.

I'm sure you can play around with the flavours too, and go all spicy and cinnamony, should you be so inclined.

It went with a swing.

2011-12-07T12:15:00.001Z

What a lovely evening- the jazz concert was a warm and toasty success. A nice big audience and the band and singers were all great. The church looked really pretty with holly and candles and fairy lights everywhere. The mulled wine and mince pies went down a storm. Pictured here is Dave the postman's famous shortbread. I truly believe that if you didn't feel all warm and snuggly and christmassy when Mike Long sang White christmas than you must be a robot, from planet Grinch. Mike's voice was velvety rich and evocative and his version could easily stand next to Nat King Cole's anytime. It was a lush evening. I'm already daydreaming about organising another one- bigger and better, next year. Next time I'm thinking of finding a brass section from somewhere- we all need trumpets in our lives after all. We raised a lovely amount of dosh for the feel restoration fund too- brilliant.

THE Christmas jazz concert, it's tomorrow!!!!!

2011-12-02T21:13:00.000Z

How can I have forgotten to mention I have been organising a jazz concert? It is tomorrow night at the local church and is in aid of the church bells which need re-hanging. The re-hanging will cost about a squillion pounds and we are applying for Heritage Lottery funding, but need to raise 10% locally.

It was my big idea to have a concert so I was the one to drive it forward, but it couldn't have been possible without my fellow ringers being super duper helpful. I suggested it back in August and have been beavering away ever since.

The band, Just Misbehavin' are booked, the brilliant singers Mike Long, Emily Wraith and Lynn Thornton have agree their set list, the wine is ready for mulling, the mince pies are ready for munching (we have all been madly baking) we even have a hostess trolley on standby to keep the mince pies warm (yes, we have thought of everything!)

Tomorrow we decorate the church in the morning and then the band arrive before 6pm for a little run through, then it's show time at 8pm.It's very exciting and I've gone past nerves, though I'm sure they will return tomorrow. Can't wait. It's been a long time since I put on a show (I used to run a contemporary dance company back in London, but more about that another time) so I'm really looking forward to it.

As a bonus, marvellous mum and dad are coming down with my brother and his lovely partner, hooray! Darling boy and Little brother are very very excited.

I will post again soon to say how it goes, I'm sure it wil be with a swing though!

The biscuit classics

2011-12-01T20:47:00.001Z

I have started a new venture; to home bake all the classic biscuits you wouldn't normally bake yourself. I'm thinking of the old skool biscuits that you had at school. Rolling off my kitchen work bench and into the hungry waiting mouths of Darling boy and Little brother (and Handsome husband if he can get there quick enough) will be custard creams, rich teas, digestives and the classic chocolate bourbon.

I have made custard creams a few times, a la Nigella. They were infinitely more delicious than any shop bought version, a million times so. Not being a fan of the commercial biscuit, finding it powdery and bland, I was delighted with the results. I never fail also to be enraptured with the romantic background of the key ingredient, Bird's custard powder. Mr Alfred Bird's wife loved custard deeply, but was allergic to eggs. He strove to engineer an alternative that would enable his sweetheart to have her custard and eat it. Romance and puddings, who could ask for more.

By they way, Mr Bird also invented baking powder (again for his wife, so he could make yeast free bread). What a hero.

So, watch this space for some classic biscuit action. First up, the bourbon.

Nutty cinnamon whirl biscuits- who can resist them??

2011-11-28T22:14:00.001Z

In this world of cold swirling winter winds what we all need is one, if not more of these nutty cinnamon whirl biscuits. These chaps are perfect with a hot, strong coffee. I took a batch to marvellous mum and dads recently.

On the way, I had to stop at the garage to get some boring car stuff fixed (something about the wheels, blah blah blah) and the box of biscuits were fresh from the oven, and cooling on the front seat. The car was in the garage for an hour or so, so me and Little Brother explored the amazing local 'sell everything you never knew you wanted' shop. I swear when we got back to the car, the box just might have possibly perhaps have been one or two short! Those cheeky mechanics couldn't resist the spicy smell of warm biscuits. I'm not cross, who could blame them?

Oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree, how lovely are your branches

2011-11-25T22:56:00.001Z

My mother in law kindly volunteered me to make the 'Guess the weight of the cake' cake for the local village Christmas Craft fete. Always happy to help out a good cause, and flex the creative muscle I agreed and racked my brains for a christmassy themed cake. I came up with this bad boy. The tree is made from a vanilla sponge with a chocolate buttercream filing, topped with vanilla buttercream. The trunk and pot are made from chocolate cake truffle, with the trunk coated in cake crumbs to make it look tree-like, and copper gold edible glitter to make it look all sparkly, innit. The star is made from dark chocolate with a layer of white chocolate on top, and then more gold glitter. There is no such think as too much glitter.

The guesses were from the tiny to the ridiculous. A local farmer, complete with tweedy jacket and rouge cheeks guessed the nearest weight and was the lucky recipient of the cake and the glory.

Swirly whirly, double icing cupcakes

2011-11-11T23:10:00.001Z

I have been practising and perfecting my swirly whirly cupcakes. It's a tricky technique, but well worth it.

These beauties are chocolate cupcakes, with a raspberry pink and chocolate buttercream icing.

BOO!

2011-11-11T22:32:00.001Z

Boo! Halloween cupcakes for the school party.

I made these chocolate beauties with orange and green or orange and chocolate vanilla buttercream icing for the kids at the school Halloween party, but the PTA decided to auction them off instead for the Bille Butterfly fund.

The lucky auction bidder who won them was a mum from Darling boys school who is also a nurse. It's nice to know that my cakes have supported such a great local charity, as well as feeding hungry nurses (i.e., people with proper jobs!) who are in professional need of chocolate.

Gingerbread men wearing Y-fronts.

2011-10-27T21:31:00.000+01:00

Darling boy, Little brother and I went to a friend's house for tea recently and what would be better suited than a team of cheeky gingerbread men and ladies to take along with us. I haven't ever iced like this before, it's tricky but good fun.

Dark chocolate cake truffles

2011-10-14T20:09:00.000+01:00

When is a Cakepop not a Cakepop? When it doesn't have a stick...

Darling boy, little brother and I went for a lovely visit to the marvellous mum and dad. Whilst there we had a family dinner to which I bought along some 'dark chocolate cake truffles'...I knew that something chocolately would always go down well after a big dinner. So, simply make your cake pops are usual, but eschew the stick and pretend they are a grown up treat instead. Oh, and if you do a double coating of dark chocolate, it's all the better.

A minnie mouse birthday cake for a grown up girly

2011-10-12T19:57:00.001+01:00

After making the caterpillar cake recently, one of the mums at the party got in touch and asked me to make a cake for her little sisters 21st birthday. The brief was 'anything chocolate, Spice Girls, or Disney-she loves Disney'.

Off I went and brainstormed. I couldn't find anything in my imagination that could represent the Spice Girls via the medium of buttercream. The Disney idea had more possibilities. As it was a 21st, I wanted to keep it playful, but a bit sophisticated.... or as sophisticated as you can get with giant chocolate ears.

It's always slightly nerve-wracking presenting a cake (will they like the design? will they ike the flavours? will it get there in one piece?....actually, I'm normally fairly confident about the design and taste- its the logistics of transporting that gives me the willies), but I delivered the cake this morning and it was happily received...phew. I've never really made anything like this before, but I'm learning all the time.

The ears are giant cake pops made in the form of flat discs moulded onto 2 bamboo skewers, then coated in dark chocolate and then a layer of buttercream and golden chestnut glitter.

A pink and girly cake, for the new girly in our family (that's extended family folks, don't get excited)

2011-10-10T19:39:00.000+01:00

As well as the new chicks which arrived recently, a much more exciting and important family member has been welcomed to the clan. Handsome husband's uncle and his wife have adopted a 3 year old little girl after years and years of longing for children. It's such wonderful news and it was a real treat to finally meet her. They live in Germany which means a recent visit over was our first opportunity to meet the loveliness that is Darling boy and Little brother's new cousin.

In honour of our new cousin's first visit to Devon, I baked her a 'Welcome to the Family' cake. Since I have two boys, I got pretty excited about the chance to 'go girly'. I was feeling in a novelty mood, so shaped the cake in the silhouette of our new cousin's initial (making good use of my new bundt tin too) The glittery pink buttercream icing went down a storm, as did the sweeties all over it and the chocolate sponge inside.

Garden cake, or school cake, but not as you knew it

2011-10-04T17:41:00.000+01:00

I've joined the PTA (Parent Teachers Association) for Darling boys fabulous preschool. The wonderful Head teacher Mrs P and other members of the PTA kept asking me to join and I kept making vague excuses about being really busy. I did however say to a fellow mum that if I was asked once more the I would probably crack. Guess what?, she squealed. I was asked again and relented. Actually, it's good being on the PTA, someone has to, parties and fundraising do not organise themselves. I see it as my bit of community spirit, supporting the school. Plus being a full time mum, I may as well get involved; after all, if you are going to get wet, you may as well go swimming.

Anyway, it is the school's 30th birthday and at the most recent PTA meeting, Mrs P said she wanted to find someone to make a big birthday cake so she could get the press in to do a feature on the school and it's anniversary. If only they knew someone who made cakes? (I was sat next to her) The hints were sufficient and I was more than willing to oblige. It's the least I can do, it's a great school and Darling boy loves it there.

I wasn't given a brief aside from 'chocolate, all children love chocolate', so was able to do whatever I fancied.

I decided on a '30' shaped cake, as I knew it would photograph well (and also good for numeracy, innit) I was stuck for a decorating theme, until I remembered these darling ready made decorations I had. I have never bought ready mades before, but the bumblebees and ladybirds are super cute and very unisex. The school is very outdoorsy too and I hoped the garden theme would chime well. My new Wilton nozzle came in handy too (number 233 if you are interested). This was it's first outing and it was a labour of love. It's a big cake and my hand is still aching. It took about 5 hours to decorate, from shaping to glittering.

I must admit I am pretty proud of this one. The school loved it too. Hooray.

The chicks have landed

2011-10-01T19:47:00.000+01:00

So cute!, the chicks have hatched. For reasons I missed as I was away on a girls weekend (!) we have 3 chicks from the original 6 eggs that mother hen started with. They are as cute as you could imagine. Fluffy, wobbly on their little legs and chirpy chirping all the time. Cute.

You must be quackers

2011-09-28T23:05:00.000+01:00

The in-laws asked if we fancied going along to the village Duck Race. There would be money on it to make it a more 'sporting' event, and then scones and jam after. Well, who could resist such an invitation?

I don't know what I was expecting, I had never been to a Duck Race before, but this being the countryside, I had imagined there would be actual, live ducks, somehow persuaded or bribed to run from one end of a course to another, with the winner being the first duck across the line, with hilarious results.

Elements of this were right, there were ducks that had to make it across the line, and there was betting. But one crucial difference leapt out when we arrived. The ducks were of the bright yellow plastic variety and came tumbling out of black bin bags into the stream. Each duck had a number on its bottom and locals were invited to back a duck in hope of successfully pairing with the winning quacker. Proceeds- as ever- were going to the church hall roof.

We followed our rubber beauties down the stream, helping them along with a little boot when the stream was shallow. Little brother insisted on being at the heart of the action and walking in the very cold and very wet stream for the length of the course. At the end when the winner was declared, we finally persuaded Little brother out of the stream and had to pour most of it back from his wellies.

Darling boy and little brother did themselves proud at the tea afterwards and ate their own body weight in scones, jam and cream. Pretty impressive since they both weigh around 2 stone each. It was a lovely, and weird afternoon. More please!

Caterpillar birthday cake

2011-09-11T19:50:00.000+01:00

One of my lovely Devon friends asked me to make a joint birthday cake for her super lovely children. Her eldest is a boy who is 4 years old today (and incidentally, one of Darling boy's most favourite of friends) and her little girl, who is a total cutey pie will be 2 years old in a few days.

The only request was 'with your yummy buttercream icing and glitter please' as both are so popular with the birthday boy and girl. I racked my brains thinking of something I could do for a joint cake. Trawling google images didn't bring much joy. I thought animals might be popular and was trying to think of two animals that go together, but are a bit boyish and girly in their own way. Genius struck and the idea of a caterpillar and butterfly theme landed in my head. The body is made from two vanilla bundt cakes, cut and shaped. The legs and feet are made from CakePops, shaped into feet and moulded onto chocolate fingers for legs.

I finished the cake late last night and was so pleased, I was very tempted to wake up Handsome husband so he could come and admire it too. Luckily good sense prevailed (I don't think he would have appreciated being woken up, however pretty the butterfly cupcakes, or how jaunty the caterpillar's antennas) He did however admire the cake in its glory this morning and was suitably impressed.

The party was today and the cake went down a storm. It is such a joy to make things that are such fun to create, and that delight and please the people it is made for.

chick chick chick chick chicken hatch a little egg for me

2011-09-11T15:02:00.001+01:00

For the past 3 weeks, a broody hen at the farm has been sitting on 6 eggs, keeping them warm as the miracle of life (I know, cheesy) works it's magic inside. Rather then becoming scrambled eggs, or playing a pivotal role in a cake, these 6 delicate beauties are going to hatch out as little chicks.

These 6 eggs came from our neighbour and are something of a test run, as our own cockerel arrives later today. Once the new man in town is settled, it could be that we have lots more chicks. Lots and lots. All things being well, by this time next year we could be totally overrun by chickens.

But back to the here and now, these 6 little chicks are due to hatch out next weekend. Which is perfect timing, as lots of family, including Sister in law and the Entrepreneur are due for a visit. Arriving next weekend as part of the family is our new addition to the clan... Handsome husband's Uncle and his lovely wife have adopted a beautiful 3 year old girl. Darling boy and Little Brothers new cousin. We are delighted and can't wait to meet her. The boys are really excited, so many new lives joining ours.

And the good news is....

2011-09-04T12:01:00.000+01:00

And the good news is that the council have f.i.n.a.l.l.y said YES. We are so excited. Our dream, forever-home is now the shinning light at the end of the tunnel. And although we feel like the waiting game is over, really it has only just begun.

Now we wait for builders. Quotes are yet to come back and the work is yet to start. But, we are excited and hopeful. Interiors are being planned, samples are building up and my scrap book of ideas is bulging at the seams. I don't just have a mood board, I have a mood file, with separate sections for each room with additional sections for things like 'style' and 'storage'. Geek? moi?

But, we aren't there yet. There is still a lot more waiting to do and once the builders start there will be more things to wait for, but it will be exciting things, like plaster and paint to dry. Who would have ever thought that waiting for paint to dry would be exciting?!

Adventures in Cake goes POP

2011-08-29T21:35:00.000+01:00

I have never made CakePops before, and this year, as my news years resolution was to do something new each month, and was on my way to visit friends with Darling boy and little brother, a flash of genius sparked in the little grey cells. Ah ha, I thought, CakePops!

For those of you who aren't familiar with this fun cakey things, they are basically a crumbed cupcake, bound together with butter icing, then moulded into a ball, dipped in chocolate and decorated. They are sugar on a stick and totally yummy. They are also definitely for children and they went down a storm. I would probably make them again, as they are a fun way to use up cake that is surplus to requirements (if there is ever such a thing?)

My top tip for making them is to either have some handy playdoh to hand (mouldable clay stuff that kids play with) or, even better, some oasis (the stuff that florists use to make displays)

So, i took some photos thinking the CakePops looked a big like funny little trees. Then i got silly and added one of the boy's toy dinosaurs, just for a giggle.

Vintage finds at the village fete

2011-08-26T15:12:00.001+01:00

On my list of favourite things, featuring highly is the village fete. All those traditional stalls from your childhood are still going strong, the tombola (where you win back the tins you donated 2 years ago) splat-the-rat, the raffle, the farmyard derby (my personal favourite), skittles, guess the weight of the cake / baby / chicken. And of course the cake stall. Turn up late and the cake stall is always totally empty, as it gets raided first, like a tuck shop at midnight.

Well, here in our corner of the world we pride ourselves on a good village fete and ours most usually has entertainment. Last year it was Morris Dancing men, fearsome fellows with handkerchiefs who bashed the hell out of some sticks and then waved bells at each other. They were brilliant. This year we had a chap playing a squeeze box, with his dear lady wife accompanying him on the spoons (I kid you not) and the guitar and a lovely warbly voice. They were charm itself.

On the jumble stall, I managed to find these totally lovely plates, which I think I got for a quid. Amazing. I love them. And of course we bought millionaire shortbread from the cake stall, and geraniums from the plant stall. Darling boy and little brother had a marvellous time, winning mini mars bars on the hoopla and larking about with their chums.

Mini cupcakes for the big church bells

2011-08-24T11:35:00.000+01:00

Our church bells need re-hanging. This is super duper mega expensive and funds need to be raised. Before you can qualify for funding from the big boys, you need to prove you have raised a certain percentage locally. This is where I come in, in a very small way of course.

Now I’m not a religious person, but I recognise the brilliant space that a church has, both physically as an ancient building, and also emotionally within a community. All that history, the atmosphere, the acoustics, the dazzling stained glass, the stylish pews (do you think I could sneak one home for my new kitchen in the barn??), but mostly the sense of cohesion and pulling together.

A concert was arranged in the local church to raise money, and we merry bell ringers were to be providing the half time snacks (as the poster promised wine and nibbles) I had been asked if I could possibly bake some cupcakes, and of course I agreed.

I decided mini ones would be best, more like a cocktail pudding snack, than a full on slice o’ cake which is what mine more usually are.

I kept it classic and went with chocolate and vanilla decorated in shades of cream, blue and purple and only had empty cake stands to take home. Happy concert goers and happy me.

Sparkly cupcakes for the bride and groom

2011-08-22T07:54:00.001+01:00

Here are the wedding cupcakes as promised. The bride and groom had 85 vanilla cupcakes with plum and scarlet butterflies. One giant cupcake in vanilla with a chocolate buttercream icing on the base, also decorated with butterflies. The last photo is of the cakes in the evening, all dressed up and ready to party.

Sparkly wedding cupcakes- a sneaky glimpse

2011-08-14T11:07:00.000+01:00

Here is a cheeky glimpse of the cupcakes from this weekends wedding. More to come soon.

A girl's gotta have tuppaware

2011-08-09T13:28:00.001+01:00

I'm very excited. I've just ordered four cupcake couriers from the very lovely Sugar Shack , a brilliant on-line store that sells all things cake. I've already chosen what I want, but I'm still mooching around their site looking for more!

A cupcake courier is a specially made plastic tuppaware thingy that has 3 stacking trays with deep insets to hold each cupcake safe and secure. It can hold 36 cupcakes, or one massive cake if you take the trays out. I already have a stock of white corrugated cardboard cake boxes that have cupcake insets that I use for deliveries, but wanted something more sustainable and sturdy.

The magic cupcake couriers are due to arrive by Thursday, which is perfect as I have a cupcake wedding this weekend. Should a girl get this excited about tuppaware? Lets face it, and lets not be shy...I think the answer is probably yes.

Wedding cupcakes

2011-08-07T15:14:00.000+01:00

As promised, here are my most recent wedding cupcakes. The bride and groom had 6 different flavours, each with a different handmade decoration. The bride was totally delighted, which is always a real pleasure to see.

Chocolate birthday cupcakes

2011-08-06T21:22:00.000+01:00

I know I have my most recent wedding cupcakes to show you, but I'm still sorting through the squillions of photos. In the meantime, take a look at one of my recent birthday orders. Girly chocolate cupcakes. Something pinky was requested, and I happily baked and designed something fitting.

I've got such a lovely collection of edible glitters now that I can't help going to town and using a blend of different colours. These cupcakes had about 5 different variations of pink through to violet purple and a gorgeous iridescent white one, so pretty. If only everything we ate could be covered in glitter.

Another wedding cupcakes sneak preview

2011-07-24T21:59:00.000+01:00

The wedding was wonderful. Truly lovely. Everything was gorgeous. The cupcakes went down a storm and I have 10 zillion photos to sort through. But in the meantime, here is another sneaky glimpse of the beauties.

Wedding cupcakes sneak preview

2011-07-23T08:40:00.000+01:00

The last few days have been a frenzy of crystallising rose petals, stamping out daisy shaped decorations, baking, icing and decorating- all in a haze of pink purple and burnished gold glitter. I have a wedding today that I have baked the cupcakes for (and lucky little me gets to go to the wedding too!)

The bride has chosen a selection of 6 different flavours (the wonderful benefit of cupcakes being just this- lots of flavours!) And so along with these different flavours are different toppings and different decorations. Marvellous mum has been on hand to help with the decoration stamping, champion washing up and entertaining Little brother who was extremely keen on being chief taster.

I'm so excited for today, I'm quite giddy. I woke up this morning and looked out of our window at clear blue skies. Lucky bride and groom.

On the menu today we have:

* Vanilla, with dusty pink vanilla buttercream, with crystallised rose petals
* Chocolate with pink daisies
* Sticky toffee pudding- with a secrete toffee sauce inside and a toffee buttercream, topped with purple daisies
* Lemon cupcakes with lemon daisies
* Carrot cake cupcakes with dusty orange daisies
* Cherry and almond, topped with a good old fashioned cherry. Quite a combination.

More photos to follow later on, after the big day. But here is a sneak preview

Pavlova

2011-07-15T20:46:00.000+01:00

When Sensible K came for tea, I wanted to make her a lovely pudding, (that just happened to be coeliac friendly) One step up from Eton Mess, a pavolva is something I hadn't made before. Its a bit retro, but a total classic at the same time. It must be the perfect mix of cream, meringue and berries- it's sweet, creamy and fruity all at once- and therefore healthy. ahem.

And the news is...

2011-07-12T19:09:00.000+01:00

There is no news...turns out there had been a delay we didn't know about...more information is required by the conservation officer. Deep breaths and more waiting is needed from us. Passions are flaring over lime plaster, who knew passions could be raised over such topics?

So, what do girls do when the going gets tough? girls go shopping of course. Look! I have a nice new purse. Well, my old one was broken and now I am mildly and temporarily diverted from the agony of waiting, my cards and whatnot have a pretty new home and Darling boy is as pleased as punch as he gets to play with my old one.

In the meantime, we are still waiting, waiting, waiting...

Adventures in Cake goes Whooppeeeeeee

2011-07-10T22:25:00.000+01:00

Handsome husbands cousin is off to China for a whole year to do something terribly clever in design. So, before she left, she came down to Devon for a visit to keep her 'topped up' on Devon loveliness whilst she was away.

In honour of her exciting trip, I wanted to bake her something very very un-chinese...the thinking being she was about to have a year of missing all her favourite things, so before she goes, she needs to stocked up, to keep her reserves going.

My new Hummingbird Bakery cookbook suggested these cheeky fellows; chocolate and peanut butter whoopee pies. A few tweaks with the recipe and the method were required...but they turned out pretty well, and were soon gobbled up. Cups of hot tea were the best accompaniment, with a glass of cold milk a cool second.

These were my first whoopee pies (yes, I know I am late to the party) and I think they need some further refinement, but not bad for an early try out.

Only 24 hrs from meltdown

2011-07-03T19:54:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow we are due to hear from the local council if they have approved our planning application. It has been a long road, and we haven't even started yet!

We first met with our architect before Christmas and had hoped to be building by March. As the sharpest amongst you may have noticed, we are in fact, just at the beginning of July and not so much as a spade has been lifted (apart from the holes Handsome husband dug to see if there was any foundations to the barn)

So, we have waited and waited and waited and tomorrow is the day the council have said they will get back to us by.

It's nail biting stuff...

(and by the way, Handsome husband found some foundations, just 'some'...not the words you are wanting to hear when renovating a barn)

Ridiculous brownies

2011-06-27T16:02:00.000+01:00

Me and the boys are currently having a mini holiday with my marvellous mum and dad whilst Handsome husband is off in America visiting Wagyu farms (more on this later) So, taking the advantage of being nearer to London than normal, we scheduled a much needed visit to our dear friends. Its so great to meet up with old friends, especially when various bumps are due to turn into babies any time soon.

We sat around and chatted and the kids romped around and played. Darling boy and Little brother were delighted to rush in and out, playing in the garden and with the girls, or rather 'ladies' as Darling boy put it.

Naturally, one does not arrive empty handed when visiting. A hand-tied bunch of hot pink roses, gerberas, and some other handsome looking blooms were bought from the local florist and I had made a batch of double chocolate brownies. I was feeling in the mood to pimp my brownies, and so added some glace cherries, and then a mix of almonds and cranberries were thrown in too, as well as a smashed up bar of dark chocolate too. They went down well, and the cherries added a juicy fruitiness which would easily pass as one of your five a day.

Incidentally, my favourite line of the day went as follows

Darling boy: 'Where are the ladies?'
The Mini greek: 'I'm not a lady, I'm a princess'

...Too true, the mini greek is a properly beautiful creature, with eyelashes that just won't stop. And at this point was wearing an irresistible Disney princess dress that calls out to all little girls to be worn straight away, over whatever they are already wearing and flounced around in, in a way that all grown ups only wish they could too.

Marble cake with chocolate frosting

2011-06-23T13:37:00.000+01:00

For Grandads birthday, a cake was called for that fitted the bill exactly. Grandad shares with Handsome husband a distrust of puddings containing fruit, as well as a preference for the plainer things in cake. However, he also has a very very very very very very very sweet tooth. This is the man who I have seen sink a tablespoon full of sugar in a jug of double cream and transfer the lot to his waiting mouth several times. Now that's dedication to the sweeter side of life.

So, for his birthday I went for a traditional chocolate and vanilla marble cake, but coated with a thick gooey layer of chocolate frosting. The perfect mix. It went down well with everyone after tea, perfect with a nice hot cuppa. Little brother wasted no time in efficiently scoffing the lot, calling for more and more cake when he had finished his. I wonder where he could possibly get this trait from?...

Oaty cookies

2011-06-22T22:20:00.000+01:00

The first cookie I ever blogged about was these oat cookies. Soft and chewy and surely good for you with their low GI (well, its oats, innit)

I have volunteered to make refreshment cookies for the Devonshire Guild of Bellringers meeting (I know....) which is taking place this year at our tower. So, to refresh my memory of how these bad boys taste, I thought I would whip up a batch. They are just as oat and chewy and moorish as I remembered and so I think they will do. These and something chocolately that is. Perhaps my triple chocolate cookies. After all, there always needs to be chocolate, doesn't there?

The wonderful thing about tiggers

2011-06-17T16:14:00.000+01:00

Darling boy has been as pleased as punch all week. He has been in charge of the class mascot, Tigger. It has been Darling boy's job to take Tigger everywhere, and it is mummy's job (or rather homework) to write up our wonderful, home-spun, creative and wholesome adventures in the class mascot diary....There is serious potential for one up-mumship in this innocent project and can I smell just the tinniest whiff?

We dragged Tigger to the farm, to meet Jimmy and Max. They joined in the fun at Grandads birthday teatime, had tea with us and joined the zoo of teddies in Darling boys bed. Tigger is due to go back to school tomorrow, and in a style true to my own homework when I was at school, it's the night before it's due in, and I haven't done it yet!

Sausage time

2011-06-15T22:26:00.000+01:00

I know this blog is called Adventures in Cake, but who can resist these bangers. My amazing friend- she of the many many skills, has made these sausages from her own pigs and they are d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. Quite frankly the best sausages ever. Reared by my friend and made by my friend, on her farm, just up the road. Now thats what I call 'going local'.

Fairytale plans

2011-06-14T22:59:00.000+01:00

It has been our dream for years now to renovate the barn on the farm to live there. It's more than a dream, it's a plan. The planning application has been in for 4 weeks now, and we have another 4 weeks left to wait till we hear if the planning officers and conservation officers agree to our design.

Although it's an actual proper plan, written on actual paper, with all the various structural reports, wildlife reports and whatever needed, at times, it seems so distant it's almost a fairytale. We had hoped to be well into the building process by now, but for various reasons, we have been hugely delayed.

Each night before I go to sleep, I imagine walking around our barn. I've been imagining it for so long, I can see every nook and cranny.

Who wouldn't want to live here?

2011-06-08T22:26:00.002+01:00

You just know you'd have fun.

Blue sparkly cupcakes for the boys

2011-05-30T15:08:00.000+01:00

A trip to a friends farm for a cuppa and a play called for cupcakes, and since both of us have two boys, blue cupcakes were called for. Four boys and sugar meant shortly after they were consumed, we were all outside in our wellies for a romp around the farm to see the cows, tractor and hounds. All good fun.

Darling boy had a marvellous time with his buddy, and Little brother was delightful and delighted as ever. He loves dogs and my friend's pup was keeping Little brother very amused. Meanwhile me and my friend had a good old natter and got our boys happy, ready for their tea and tired for bedtime.

Little boys are basically like puppies themselves. They need tummies full of food and then to romp around with each other in the fresh air. Being in Devon, there is plenty of that, and it doesn't matter if its drizzling like it was. The boys don't care and it's what rain covers were invented for. Now I just need to get myself a stylish outdoorsy hat like my friend has and I will be all set.

Life on the open road

2011-05-26T23:40:00.000+01:00

How completely lovely does this look? I want to have one of these and have little holidays in it. Beautiful. I saw this at the Devon County Show (more of which later) but just wanted to post this up now as it was just so lovely. Look! its so pretty.

Little brother turns 1 year old!

2011-05-19T22:16:00.000+01:00

We can hardly believe it, but Little brother is 1 year old already. To celebrate we had a lovely party, full of family, friends, kids, sugar, sunshine, musical bumps and more sugar. It was perfect. I have made a promise to myself that every kids party I host will always have cake and fizz. I think its a good promise.

The cupcakes were chocolate and lemon. The lemon ones had a secret centre of homemade lemon curd which went down very well. I even managed to bag one myself before they all went, and I can vouch for its tastiness too. Just the right balance of sweet and zesty. Yum.

The cake is a two tiered vanilla sponge. It is about 10 inches across, and shaped like ducks as this is one of Little Brothers most favourite things and I think the 3rd word he said (after dadda and mamma) We talk about 'ducks' a lot, me and Little Brother (and 'doors' too, as he can also say 'door') So when it came to deciding what to do for Little Brother's cake, what else could it be? I must confess this sort of cake it not normally my thing, but for my bambinos, anything goes. And iced in buttercream and covered in glitter, its just a hop, skip and jump away from my more usual style.

The embroidered tablecloth you can see under the cake was handed down to me by my mother in law. I think it was either made by her mother in law, or great mother in law. Anyway, it is beautiful and so perfect it is incredible. I know childrens parties aren't normally an occasion for getting out your 'best' but I have decided this lovely handmade craft work should see the light of day. And what better occasion, that celebrating Little brothers first birthday.

Marmalade cupcakes

2011-05-19T21:53:00.000+01:00

I made these for Darling boys 3rd birthday party, and whilst I didn't get to try any myself as they all disappeared really quickly, I was told they were delicious...I knew they would be!

These cheeky chappies have an orange flavoured sponge, with a special secret zing of homemade marmalade in the centre, then topped with orange buttercream icing, and of course, burnished toffee coloured stars and matching edible glitter.

Regal in purple

2011-05-08T14:32:00.000+01:00

So, for the Royal wedding street party we were invited to, I opted to go for the classic trilogy of vanilla, lemon and chocolate cupcakes. I iced them with their partner icings of vanilla, lemon and chocolate, and coloured the vanilla icing to match the decorations on the chocolate cupcakes. I went regal in purple and lilac, keeping the lemon cupcakes suitably girly with sparkly butterflies.

Post family wedding viewing on the telly at the farm, we adjourned to the street party, which was actually in someones barn- with the most gorgeous views. The weather was warm and hazy. Outfits were scrutinised, again. (Bridal= triumph, cousins = pantomime dames) Cake was eaten and lawns were lazed on. Perfect.

...and as a side note to this story, where the cupcakes were set up was just inside the host's house. Darling boy, who is a pretty smart cookie, pointed at the ironing board you can just see peeking out in the corner of the picture, and said with real wonder and curiosity 'Whats that mummy?' The poor lad had never seen one before...Just goes to show how much ironing goes on in the Adventures household. (ie, not much, my iron is currently in storage.Bliss)

i HEART brownies

2011-05-07T21:53:00.000+01:00

When going for dinner with the Girls and one has volunteered to take pudding, what does one take? Chocolate of course...After I made these brownies, I thought it would be a cute idea to cut them into heart shapes. Hooray for brownies. Hooray for my extensive collection of cookie cutters. These were served up warm from the oven, with raspberries and ice-cream.

These are my double chocolate brownies, that I made into triple chocolate brownies.

It's twins...

2011-04-27T23:30:00.003+01:00

More new arrivals. This time it's twins...Jimmy and Max are teeny, tiny twin Red Devons who were destined to go 'up the road' because of their diminutive size. But instead they were offered to Handsome husband for the boys to have instead as (can I believe I'm saying this?) pets. Max is the larger of the two, but is still only waist height, with Jimmy being around mid-thigh. They are both fully grown and not set to get any bigger. Apparently.

The idea is the boys get to grow up with cows about their own size and can practise handling these beauties. They have sweet natures and seem very chilled and happy. Darling boy is loving them and have been saying 'I'm a farmer now' Little brother is pretty keen too and has been busy pointing at them with gusto.

Going cheap

2011-04-25T23:09:00.000+01:00

Look who has joined the gang down at the farm...10 tiny chicks, known as 'table birds', i.e they are destined to be dinner. Be it roasted with lemon and garlic, or eaten cold dunked in mayonnaise these chicks are brand new and currently enjoying the hot life under a heat lamp before joining the eggers in the great outdoors.

Darling boy wants to call one of them Ginger pig...Who knows why, but I say, why not?

Shimmering Simnel cake

2011-04-24T21:19:00.000+01:00

I have never made a Simnel cake before and have only ever made one other fruit cake before. But aprils challenge was calling and the making of marzipan spurred me on to making a Simnel cake to take to Easter Sunday lunch with both sides of the family.

For those who aren't familiar with a Simnel cake, it is a light fruit cake, with a layer of golden marzipan in the middle, and topped with a disc of the almond wonder paste, and crowned with 11 marzipan balls (to represent the 11 disciples, naughty old Judas is excluded from the party for obvious reasons!) Traditionally you burnish the top with your handy blow torch. I went the extra step and added gold glitter-of course- and mini chocolate eggs- well it is easter.

Making marzipan

2011-04-24T20:37:00.000+01:00

My New Years resolution for 2011 was to do something new each month. This month, I was rapidly approaching the end of April and hadn't met my challenge. However, Easter Sunday presented the perfect opportunity. I was going to make a Simnel cake, and for that, I was also going to make my own marzipan. Now I love marzipan. Deeply. It is delicious and I could happily eat tonnes of the golden chewy wonder food. Those who claim not to like it are simpletons and fools.

The brilliant thing is that is really easy to make. You just need a handy sugar thermometer and the ability to stir. Easy peasy. Whats not so easy is the patience to wait for it to cool before sampling the almondy goodness. You boil water with sugar, then when it has reached the soft ball stage, take it off the heat and add ground almonds, almond essence and egg white. The results were very tasty and I will be posting soon about the marzipans destination, part 2 of Aprils challenge.

The Royal I do

2011-04-22T00:00:00.000+01:00

Surely only a die-hard anti-monarchist, with a heart of stone would claim to be totally uninterested in the forthcoming Royal wedding.

Even if you aren't so into Royalty (is it a capital R?) the national excitement (even if its only over the free day off, and the possibility of day time drinking) is building.

Personally,I like the Royal family, the history and the role they play in our society is unique. I like anything that gets the community together for a party. And I love love love weddings and romance. A young princess and prince, its got to be a beautiful wedding, surely? With the rumours of an Alexander McQueen wedding dress, its shaping up to be an interesting meeting of tradition and modern style. Put the whole caboodle together and its a match made in heaven.

Anyway, the point is, Handsome husband, Darling boy, Little brother and I are all off to a street party. I am SO excited. Puddings have been requested as a donation, so I will of course be taking cupcakes. The big question is how many, what flavour and what design? Big decisions need to be made...

ps, you would be right in guessing the photo above was not taken by me (I didn't have any crowns hanging around conveniently for a photo shoot in my kitchen) instead, I found it on t'internet. Well done Google.

This little piggy

2011-04-20T21:53:00.000+01:00

It's nearly two months now of going local and it is still going just fine and dandy. I only meant to do it as a one month challenge, but it felt pretty good and has spilt over into April. I'm still hitting the local farm shops and still dodging the supermarkets. My poor old debit card and bank balance have been enjoying the rest, and it's so much easier, as well as the local economy enjoying the benefit of our wonga instead.

I won't lie to you though and pretend it's all wicker baskets and muddy carrots. Fresh supplies of loo roll and nappies do not materialise inside my house magically (as much as a I wish they would) but I have decided I will limit myself to a once a month hit, and the rest of the time its local local local baby. Try it, you might like it...

My new favourite thing

2011-04-16T08:49:00.000+01:00

Squeak! look! isn't this lovely. The very sweet people at The Binary Box sent it to me and it's just brilliant. Perfect for those essential messages, and for making your kitchen look all pretty. I put it up all by myself too. My blackboard teapot wall sticker is so lovely in fact that I have chosen something else from their website for Sister in law for her birthday. It's very cool so I hope she likes it....And when we are in our new home, I would really like this too, maybe in the entrance hall.

The Surprise cupcakes

2011-04-13T14:46:00.000+01:00

It was Handsome husband's uncle's Surprise 50th birthday party (the party was a surprise, not that he was going to be 50, I'm pretty sure he knew his age alright)

We were invited and secret birthday cupcakes had been requested. I was happy to oblige, but nervous of having to travel with them first the 150 miles to my marvellous parents, and then on into and across London via train and tube and shanks' pony.

Anyway, logistics aside, I went for a flavour combination of vanilla on vanilla, mixed with a few cheeky chocolate buttercream iced ones as well. For the colour scheme, shades of blue in big and mini stars and initials, with matching glitters (of course) kept it about as masculine as you can get with cupcakes (though I'm always on the look out for tiny cutters in the shapes of spanners, etc)

The cupcakes were a big success. The party was an even bigger success, with Uncle J winning a clear award for 'Surprise birthday party candidate who was the most surprised ever' We drank champagne and laughed and cried at his lovely speech. Then toddled back to our hotel for a relax, before heading out for more eating and plenty of cocktails. yum.

And a final word on the cupcakes too, I don't normally go for such bright colours as the blue here on the butter icing, but I think it turned out rather handsome in the end.

Do I miss London?

2011-04-13T14:16:00.001+01:00

When people ask me if I miss London, I always says I miss my friends and the shops (oh, and the restaurants). But with places like this on your doorstep, really, whats to miss about the big smoke?

The end result of 'going local'

2011-04-10T01:43:00.000+01:00

For the last month, the supermarkets have felt the cold shoulder of my steely defiance. I have been shopping only in markets and farmer shops. Annoyed with the mighty power that the big four have, I wanted to turn away from their dominance and go local.

Surely, I thought, it would be fine. If our mother's mothers did it (and their mother's, and their mother's mother's mothers), then it must be possible.

It's been good, it's been fun. It's been cheaper and it's felt more wholesome. I've met some lovely local folk and our fridge and larder have been 'run down' in the true spring cleaning sense of the word.

Other things I have found. Little brother doesn't really like yummy wholesome store cupboard porridge and would much prefer weeatabix thanks. And, unsalted butter cannot be found for love nor money.

So, here is what I'm planning... Do all my food shopping from markets and farm shops as before. But, for the necessities in life that farm shops don't sell, like nappies and washing powder I'm off to the Co-operative, who as a retailer, focus on quality, equality, fair-trade and animal welfare, as opposed to the cheapest of cheap food. This has got to be a good thing.

Mammas gonna make a little shortening bread

2011-04-08T21:44:00.000+01:00

Whilst staying at my marvellous mum and dads last week I had the extreme loveliness of having an old friend over for lunch. My friend is someone who I went to school with. We were the very essence of teenagers. Mascara, black nail varnish, long long chats, and lots of laughs when we should have been concentrating in double science.

Years and years passed and the brilliant of facebook brought us back together. My friend is still the brilliant girl she always was, only now she is a grown up lady with 2 lovely kids.

So, cake was called for. Cake or something biscuity. I knew I didn't fancy making a cake (just imagine) but I also wanted to do some baking with Darling boy that was quick and didn't involve rolling and stamping out shapes. So, shortbread it was. It couldn't be easier to make. Because they are so plain and unadorned, you can easily pretend its not like having pudding, but some sort of puritan necessity. However, their buttery goodness betrays them every time.

'Bills that were big enough to be Williams'

2011-03-30T21:53:00.000+01:00

The clearest thing I have noticed so far about 'going local' is that our shopping bills are so much smaller than before. Tiny in fact. For weeks one and two and three, I have spent a quarter of what we spent for the equivalent weeks the month before...and we have still eaten, and well at that too.

Though I never bought ready meals before and have always cooked from scratch (though obviously jars of pesto and fish fingers do not count) I think maybe it is that the farm shops simply have less to sell than the miles and miles of supermarket shelves. Less to choose from simply means less to buy.

Perhaps it is the different surroundings as well as the reduced choice that sharpens your awareness onto the things you actually are picking up and putting in your wicker basket/hessian bag (...I know) as opposed to flinging stuff into the trolly and paying by card.

I know some people can be put off by shopping at farm shops because of the perceived extra expense, but its not always dearer (a word my wonderful grandma would have used) In fact sometimes you can even bag a bargain, and do a local farmer or shop keeper a favour too.

Little Brothers birthday

2011-03-29T22:27:00.000+01:00

It was Little Brothers 1st birthday this weekend. We can hardly believe he is now one year old. Amazing. He is such a cool little man, very smiley and he had a brilliant time at his party. He managed to squeeze in a record 2 sausages, 2 strawberries, 1 crisp and a piece of bread all into his mouth at the same time, like a hamster.

We had the usual party fare, and as usual, all the cake and biscuits were gobbled, and naturally most of the sandwiches remained. After all, under fives definitely have their priorities right. Sugar first, vitamins second.

I was pleased to have sourced everything from local shops and managed to continue my going local campaign.

Little brother had chocolate cupcakes, and lemon cupcakes, with a secret home-made lemon curd filling. And centre place was Little Brothers very first birthday cake, a two tiered duck cake, iced in yellow buttercream icing and complete with eyelashes and a baby duck.

A brilliant time was had by all, prosecco for the grown ups and running around outside for the kids. Perfect.

Probably the sweetest cupcakes in the world

2011-03-22T22:37:00.000Z

Dinner with the girls tomorrow night calls for a lady-like cupcake and a flicking through the Love Bakery recipe book, the fragrant Rosewater cupcakes seemed to be the one to go for. They are light and girly, as well as super, super sweet. The recipe called for a cream cheese and rosewater frosting which you would think wouldn't be as sweet as a regular buttercream icing, but you would be wrong. It's somehow sweeter.

They are delicious, but definitely call for a cake fork, and how happy am I that mine can be put to good use.

Darling boy in the wide green space

2011-03-21T22:51:00.000Z

I love this photo. Darling boy and all that wide open space from the top field at the farm. Exactly what you need for boys who are basically like puppies.

Darts Farm and chocolate cake

2011-03-19T21:57:00.000Z

Marvellous mum and I treated ourselves to a trip to local foodie shopping mecca, Darts Farm with the boys recently. We oohed and ahhed over the lovely things, we mooched and meandered around the food hall and, most importantly, we stopped for lunch.

I was able to take advantage of the lovely food hall and stock up on a few essentials (bacon, cream, and a very tasty local blue cheese) And Darling boy was able to take advantage of the Darts Farm cafe comprehensive cake counter. As with all battles between cake and toddler, the chocolate cake was a worthy adversary, but it was a child's devotion to chocolate that won through.

Little brother looked on in wonder, but is still too little for cake (though ask again next weekend, at his 1st birthday party and it will be game on)

My new milkman

2011-03-18T21:52:00.001Z

One of my main ambitions for my 'going local' challenge was to find a milkman. With two bambinos at home, we go through quite a lot of the white stuff, and finding a good, and local, source was going to be key to my success. Dairy farmers have always had a raw deal from the supermarkets and it's only been getting worse for them. So supporting a local dairy was important to me.

Luckily one of my chums at bell ringing was able to recommend her milkman. They are a great dairy, and produce their own milk, cream, butter and yoghurt. What could be better? I've also asked them if they could make me a huge batch of unsalted butter every now and again.

Apart from a less than clever first start (the milkman waking up our next door neighbours, the heros looking for our front door) It has been plain sailing ever since. I remember having milk delivered when I was a little girl, and it's just great. So convenient. I just have to go to my front door- and there it is!

So, people everywhere, find your nearest milkman and embrace him. Buy his milk, support your local dairy and keep him in business. If you don't know anyone already with a milkman, try asking in your local farm shop, or you can try websites like findmeamilkman.net Or you could always ask your friend at bell ringing practise.

The cupboard is bare, well almost

2011-03-16T22:48:00.000Z

Pre-going local challenge, and our fridge was almost always fairly full and the larder and freezers likewise, but now, something rather curious is happening. We are actually eating all the food that we have had stored away for ages. And something even more magical is happening... I strongly suspect with all the tempting produce in the farm shops, we are eating more fruit and vegetables. Shhhhhh, don't tell Darling boy!

The second week...it's getting better

2011-03-15T19:57:00.000Z

So, I have reached the end of the second week of 'going local'.

This weeks spend was £47...Even more impressive than last weeks bill. So, okay, things we are running short of may start to be in issue later on in this month, ie dishwasher detergent and nail varnish remover (both essentials to me, as my refusal to waste any time doing washing up when the clever robot can do it for me, is in equal proportion to my love of nail varnish.

I'm still enjoying discovering new farm shops and market stalls that pop up in towns nearby selling colourful veg and fruit - usually with a cheeky grin and a devonshire quip.

My new favourite farm shop is in Tiverton, The most lovely Landrake farm shop, is run by the even lovelier Mary. I'm hoping to make a weekly trip there part of our new shopping habits.

Ok, so some things aren't great about only using local farm shops...like the unsalted butter I bought which went off 2 days later, to the new milkman who woke up our neighbours, the homing heros at 5:45am (more about him later!) but on the whole, it's still proving to be a change for the better.

Blondies

2011-03-14T14:19:00.001Z

Handsome husband and I celebrated our 11th anniversary this week and to mark it, I wanted to bake him something tasty and chocolately, but with a minor nod to healthiness (I know, not always two qualities found together in the world of cake)

Anyway, a trawl through my memory found something that might fit the bill. Good old Nigella (how I heart her) had a recipe for what she called blondies...Basically, an oaty (and therefore, healthy) bar, stuffed with condensed milk, sugar, butter and chocolate. The idea is to slightly undercook them to give them a squidgy, brownie like texture. And oh dear, they are very good. Though I think they might be more accurately (and rudely) called collar and cuffs, as the chocolate sinks to the bottom (in both mine and Nigellas-natch) Still, I'm not complaining, who doesnt like a chocolately bottom, hoho. Ok, rudeness over now.

The shape of things to come

2011-03-13T22:27:00.000Z

This sight and site will not be exciting to anyone, apart from those in search of retail bliss in Devon. For this is where the new John Lewis is going to be arriving. Squeak!

When people ask me what I miss from London, top of the list is obviously my friends, then the food, theatre and art, and then the shops. How I love the shops. And it has been a very sore point that Exeter has no John Lewis. I know, just imagine. So, it is isnt any wonder that the possibility of John Lewis arriving down in the South West has been early anticipated and much gossiped over. From bar maids to cleaners, to stall holders to hairdressers; it seems every one has the insider info about when and where...and now it has finally started its rebirth, like a big beautiful phoenix rising from the ashes of an empty old building. This is one girl who is really rather excited.

nb, for those who have no idea what or who John Lewis is (really?, just imagine!) John Lewis is the department store to end all department stores. It only sells what is worth buying and is full of beautiful shiny things. In a bleak and depressing world, sometime we just need a bit of shineyness.

Home made bagels already

2011-03-11T21:43:00.000Z

The variety of things I'm making for us at home is increasing. Darling boy and Little brother are both very partial to a bagel, and the boycot of the supermarkets has meant I need to become more adventurous with what I am making from scratch. I've said before, I'm devoted to my bread machine, but don't often use it for use the dough setting, but decided to give bagels a go, and was surprisingly delighted at the results. They have a genuinely bagel-ly flavour and nice texture. Bring on the smoked salmon and cream cheese.

Vintage cake forks

2011-03-09T19:26:00.000Z

Sweet tooth was asking if I ever found any vintage cake forks, after I was lusting for some a while back...Well, I did managed to find some, in South Molton market and then I was also given another set at christmas.

You can just about see them here in this photo of chocolate fudge cupcakes. So pretty and oh so very lady-like.

The end of week one of 'going local'

2011-03-08T23:50:00.000Z

At the end of the fist week of supermarket dodging and 'going local' I can proudly say it has been brilliant.

No frustrating, boring twilight time lost in the vortex of Tesco, dragging the kids up and down aisles they don't want to be in, being tempted and brainwashed into buying things we probably don't need, no popping for a couple of essentials and accidentally spending £60. Just simpler shopping (well, there is less to choose from) and nicer shop keepers. It's more fun, more interesting produce, it's quicker and there is all the benefits of supporting local businesses. Hooray.

To top is all, the cherry on the locally produced cake is that it has been massively cheaper. Here are the figures...This weeks shop came to £67, compared to the first week in February when I was using the supermarkets as normal, which cost an eye-bulging, puke inducing £205. For me, this second figure says something quite telling about my consumer behaviour in supermarkets. Perhaps it is,'I consume, therefore I am' God, I hope not. I think it might be more along the lines of George Mallory, (I bought it)...because it was there'

Though 'going local' can have its drawbacks (more of which soon) the bottom line is the massive saving of nearly £150 quid (don't tell Handsome husband though, he will blow a gasket that I was spending that much before!) It feels good to know that, instead of lining the pockets of the big 4 for another week, I have instead been going local and supporting local producers, shop keepers and farms instead. Right on sista.

Here is to the next 3 weeks

More delicious vintage cake accessories

2011-03-07T22:32:00.000Z

Our trip to the racecourse car boot on Sunday was surprisingly successful. Mostly I'm impressed that I managed to not lose Darling boy in the crowds and not bring back a boot full of rubbish. A solo parent trip to an exciting place full of brightly coloured plastic toys lying invitingly on blankets on the ground is some kind of 'Its a knockout' style parenting challenge. Fantastic behaviour meant one toy each for Darling boy and Little brother were purchased, and after a luxurious bath in fairy liquid they are the new favs in our household.

But for me, I managed to seek out these very pretty cake tongs. I love them and can't wait to use them.

I would have included photos of the boys new toys, but its a simple fact that they just aren't as lovely...

Not cake, but jewellery.

2011-03-04T23:56:00.000Z

It was half term last week and as Handsome husband had some time off, I popped up for a mini-break in the Big Smoke. It was fabulous. Handsome husband said I should have some time off just to myself (as he is a super husband) so off to London I went for some serious girly time. I saw my wonderful old friends and their new babies, had beauty treatments and shopped and shopped and shopped.

I am devoted to both Mac makeup and Shu Uemura Their colours, pigment strengths and quality are second to none...and neither of which you can buy in Devon. I miss being near to their shops and so to lounge in the luxury of the Mac pro shop just off Carnaby street and the Shu counter at the marvellous Liberty was pure heaven.

As well as treating myself to a serious refresh of my makeup bag, I also popped along to the Alex Monroe counter in Liberty. This darling ring caught my eye and I fell in love. It's so silly and quintessentially english, its the mad hatters tea party in jewellery form. Perfect.

Use your (spiced and fruited) loaf

2011-03-03T21:55:00.000Z

Yesterday I made this spiced fruit loaf which, quite frankly, was totally delicious. We ate almost half the loaf in one sitting, eaten warm from the oven and smothered in butter. We renamed it 'Pirate pudding' for our Darling boy and had it at tea-time as he is so pirate mad at the moment. It was so tasty that I made a second today to give to our Homing Heros.

I must confess it was made in a bread maker (I love my breadmaker, I have had it for nearly a decade and it's still going strong) but I'm sure you could make it using your actual hands, kneading it and waiting for it to rise, and knocking it back and kneading it again, etc, but who has the time for these shenanigans when there are such inventions as bread machines and Sex in the City DVD box sets to watch whilst the children are napping?

So, here is the recipe, it's basically a loaf of hot cross bun loveliness, which is just dandy in my book. The recipe is adapted from 'Bread Machine Easy' by Sara Lewis

Makes 1x 750g loaf of spiced loveliness

200ml water
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons butter at room temp
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground mixed spice
425g strong white flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon fast action yeast
150g sultanas
50g chopped candied peel

Chuck it all in the machine in the order listed. Choose a sweet loaf setting on your trusty machine. Sit back and relax (remembering to add the sultanas and peel when your machine beeps at you) When it is done, bring 2 tablespoons of water to the boil with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Anoint your loaf with the sticky goo and sit on your hands till it's cool enough to slice and eat.

Handsome husband and Darling boy had theirs with honey, whilst Little brother and me went the simplistic route of just butter and a big smile

Day two of 'going local'

2011-03-02T21:56:00.000Z

Not really needing anything, but keen to check out what the coming weeks had in store, I popped along to the farm shop nearest to Darling boy's playgroup. I've been there before on a hunt for seville oranges and knew what I was likely to find. It has nice looking fruit and veg, a meat counter manned by a butcher straight from Central Casting (ie, jolly, rosy-cheeked and a local man through and through) I managed to come away with a wicker basket of chicken paupettes, leeks, fruit, cornish brie, some eggs and some lovely daffs, as spring has finally sprung. Proper job.

...and ps, check out Darling boys brilliant hat made by himself at playgroup, as my Cruwys Morchard chum said, ' Philip Treacy eat your heart out!'

Breaking free of the supermarket chain

2011-03-01T22:30:00.000Z

Inspired by watching The Peoples Supermarket on telly and knowing what I know about how cruel supermarkets can be to the farmers they exploit, and the consumers they brainwash, and also being annoyed at how I give Tesco half our monthly income, despite the poor service and quality, and not forgetting their general evilness, I have decided to cut them off. Cold Turkey. For the whole of March I will not be buying anything in any supermarket. Just for a month, to see how it goes. If its bearable, likeable, or even wonderful I hope to continue.

Now to some, who tra-la-la from grocers to butchers each weekend with a wicker basket in hand, this might not sound like all that much, but for me it represents a stand and a big change. With two small children and Handsome husband who works 7 days a week, and me with a cupcake business to run, time is short and precious. However, I shall join those who protest against the wicked ways of the big four. I will take up my wicker basket and cast aside my clubcard. Women ran family homes quite successfully before there was such a thing as supermarkets, so surely it can't be all that hard?

I will be buying all my veggies and other foods from farmers markets and farm shops. A chum at bell ringing has recommended a local milk round (how exciting) I make our own bread, biscuits and cakes (duh, obviously) Eggs and meat can come from the chickens at the farm (and the freezer full of lamb and pork given to us by the farmer how rents the grass off us for his Houdini sheep) So that is food pretty much covered. I must confess to a slight cheat, I stocked up on coffee and nappies (life's essentials) But apart from that, Tesco and their wicked brothers shall feel the coldness of my shoulder.

I will let you know how I get on. It already feels very liberating knowing I will not be spending any twilight time lost in the identical aisles of our local supermarket...though slightly nervous at how much time it might take once I start tra-la-la-ing with my very own wicker basket (and yes, I do have one, and yes it is lovely)

Wish me luck!

Heart of glass

2011-02-27T23:55:00.000Z

Mmmmm, have a peek at my new vintage glass cake stand. Simple and lovely.

Victoria sponge cupcakes

2011-02-26T21:37:00.000Z

We went for a visit recently to Handsome husband's friends farm. They are a vey sweet family, with kids the same age as ours. We had a tour round their farm, which was lovely and Darling boy and their middle son had great fun charging around the yard playing hide and seek. Little brother rode high in the back pack and laughed each time he saw a sheep or cow.

I had a new recipe to try out and was keen to taste the results. These are a Victoria Sponge inspired cupcake, with a secret jammy centre (home made jam, naturally!) I went for a strawberry and raspberry jam and topped each cupcake with a swirl of pink and vanilla buttercream, decorated with pink edible glitter and pink butterflies.

The cupcakes went down very well, and Im keen to try them out again. The swirly icing is really hard, so lots of practise will make perfect. Next time I might go for a jammy icing too. yum.

Cupcakes for the bell ringers

2011-02-16T23:26:00.000Z

If you had said to me 5 years ago that I would be learning how to ring church bells I wouldn't have believed it. It is so hard and 10 million miles away from anything I have ever done. The church was struck by lighting in 1689 and the fire melted the bells, but they were re-cast and are chiming today. Learning to ring the bells is brilliant. For how incredibly heavy they are, its a very delicate and fragile art form. Each ringer has to both keep a steady pace, but react to the changes other ringers make.

I am being taught by the most amazing woman who has more skills than I have ever encountered in one person (running a small holding single handed, riding a pony a trap, basket weaving to name just a few) and to boot, she is lovely.

I went to the church bell ringers committee meeting recently and of course, took along some cupcakes, after all, all that bell ringing needs some chocolate to fuel it.

In a glitter daze

2011-02-16T10:56:00.000Z

It may be a wet, nearly spring day out there, but I'm busy planning the summer weddings cupcake orders I have got coming up. One bride is having a cream and burgundy theme for her wedding cupcakes, topped with a giant cupcake. The order calls for a burgundy glitter, a shade I do not currently have. So off I pop to one of my new favourite on-line shops, called fantastically, www.edible-glitter.co.uk to browse their amazing collection of glitter and decorations. Yum. My collection of colours is fairly substantial, but a girl can always have more!

The bells, the bells...

2011-01-27T10:26:00.002Z

I have much to tell you, mostly about learning how to ring the local church bells...story coming soon

Happy christmas

2010-12-30T21:20:00.000Z

Happy christmas one and all x

Christmas party cupcakes

2010-12-15T09:24:00.000Z

It was Darling boy's pre-school christmas party at the local village hall and the guest of honor was to be Father Christmas himself, resplendent in his twinkly grotto, with presents for all.

Christmas parties are a source of undeniable joy and excitement and the kids could barely cram enough sausage rolls and crisps (toddler party food of choice) in their faces, before much chasing around was to be done. Called back to the table by the promise of cake, I have never seen a group of kids respond so quickly- but thats the magic of sugar.

For the grown- ups, yours truly had baked a batch of chocolate cupcakes. Too rich (and delicious) for toddlers. These sparkly cupcakes disappeared pretty quickly.

Oh, and for the record, Little brother was dressed as a christmas elf, complete with stripy leggings and a droopy christmas hat. Beyond cute. Happy days.

Where did you get that hat?

2010-12-13T15:00:00.000Z

Little brother took a fancy to Handsome husbands hat, adjusting it just so, and then checking it for tastiness. Yum.

Snowy weather? chocolate needed

2010-12-13T14:45:00.001Z

Our Dear friends came to stay, just before the snow really hit and it was- as ever- great to see them. Darling boy had a great time playing with Cute as a button and the Tiny cowgirl. Almost all of the photos I took prove that it is almost impossible to get a photo of 2 or more children without at least one of them being blurred from wiggling.

We finally ventured out into the cold to make an inspection of the chickens, turkeys and cows, but must admit didnt last long, as the draw of the aga and a warm kitchen proved too much for our freezing toes. The promise of a slab of Rocky Road to Mars certainly played a role in bringing us back inside.

As we walked back along the lane, we spotted two tiny fairy trampolines (dewdrops on cobwebs to us mere mortals) This was enough to lift our spirits as we scampered back to hot chocolate, cups of tea and snack time.

Chasing chickens

2010-12-13T14:11:00.001Z

Happiness is Darling boy, chasing chickens on a cold winters day.

www.adventuresincake.co.uk

2010-12-06T09:18:00.000Z

Dear Lovely Adventures in Cake Followers

Exciting news! I have finished my website...go and have a look and tell me what you think.

I had spent ages trying to find a way to make my website on a tiny budget. Proper website designers and developers are pretty expensive. Eventually, the Entrepeneur pointed me towards a website where you can build your own websites for free- the joy! I made it all by my little old self!

So, many hours later- and here it is. It was my New Years resolution to get my website sorted- and here it is, with 26 days to go...

So, go and have a butchers and a mosey around and tell me what you reckon...Once I know it meets the Adventures in Cake followers approval, I'm going to tell the whole world all about it.

thanks all!

Abi x

The towering inferno

2010-12-03T09:42:00.000Z

It was Handsome husbands birthday recently. Of all the cakes in the world, his most favourite is the classic chocolate and vanilla marble cake. A pleasure to make, and a delight to eat. Its so simple, it just begs to be eaten with cream, or custard, if you are feeling in the need of a winter warmer. As it was, we were quite toasty enough with the thousands of candles on top.

Spiced apple cupcakes

2010-11-29T15:45:00.000Z

Mmmm, perfect for such a cold day, spiced apple cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream. Yum. It's -1 out there, therefore cake is essential.

The cupcake X-Factor

2010-11-22T14:10:00.000Z

Well, the exciting news is that the batch of chocolate and vanilla beauties I recently posted were in actual fact 'audition' cupcakes.

I have been speaking to the award winning Witheridge farmshop about stocking my cupcakes. I took a batch in as a sample and they went down well. So well that we have decided to extend the trial and carry on for a time. How exciting.

So, for a limited period, Adventures in Cake cupcakes will be available from this absolute gem of a shop. Everyone should rush there now and stock up in time for Christmas, not only on Adventures in Cake cupcakes, as well as all the other goodies that the totally lovely Ted has on offer.

The chocolate cupcake collection

2010-11-15T12:40:00.000Z

And then I did a batch of chocolate ones, rocking the autumn colours.

The girly vanilla cupcake collection

2010-11-15T12:31:00.000Z

Here are my most recent cupcakes, I went all girly and did a mix of regular size, and baby cakes.

Loving the autumn

2010-11-15T12:13:00.000Z

Autumn, my favourite season, chestnut leather boots, cashmere jumpers, scarves and beautiful leaves on the trees, and needing cake and hot chocolate when you come in from outside. Its my favourite, right after all my other favourites (I also love winter- as that is means cold deserted beaches, snow, and Christmas, and the summer, as it means flippy skirts, bare feet and my birthday, and spring, with its daffodils and inchingly warmer days)...

I love this time of year, and since moving to Devon from the greys of London, you really see the seasons change in the colours of the landscapes.

Cupcakes and making cider

2010-11-15T12:00:00.000Z

Our Cruwys Morchard Chums had a cider making day and we went along with the apples from our orchard to be added to the mix. It was a cold, sunny day. The men folk chopped and squished apples, and us girls sensibly stayed inside mostly (to be fair, I did do a bit of chopping) and chatted and drank tea. To go along with the party, I baked these chocolate cupcakes. Everyone likes chocolate after all, and we needed something sweet after the sticky hotdogs and warm cider of lunch.

Wedding cupcakes

2010-10-30T14:58:00.000+01:00

Here are the photos from the most recent wedding Adventures in Cake baked for. The bride's colour theme was red and ivory. They requested a selection of flavours, so a mix of carrot cake, lemon, vanilla and coconut made up the tower of 80 cupcakes. Hearts and butterflies and glitter topped off each cake. The large cake was a double layer juicy lemon cake, also topped with butterflies and a liberal sprinkling of red and gold glitter.

The wedding was held in an old church in deepest Devon and the reception was in the Tithe Barn next door. It looked so romantic and cosy, the red and gold beautifully complemented the old wood in the barn.

Great British Weddings

2010-10-28T18:00:00.000+01:00

Here is an article about me, on the Great British Wedding website. Exciting!