Cupcake Bug

Here choccy choccy choccy

2009-08-25T20:11:00.003+01:00

Tis chocolate, tis yummy, tis good!

Dad's birthday cake

2009-08-25T19:56:00.004+01:00

My dad's birthday was on the weekend and knowing what a big kid he is, I baked him this fun cake.

Not only was it delightful watching my dad's face as he cut open his rainbow surprise cake, but the cake went down a treat with everyone who tried it.

I found this design of cake on this blog http://omnomicon.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-make-rainbow-cake.html however I made my own cake batter from scratch!

And here's something I baked earlier

2009-08-20T18:26:00.003+01:00

In true Blue Peter stylee, I have more photos of my bakes then blog updates, so this little update is simply to post an older pic. These cupcakes were lovingly made for a visit from my parents and sister. They live a good few hours away and so I was really excited for them to come and visit and made some scrummy cupcakes for our catch up afternoon tea!

My dad's birthday is coming up this weekend so I shall be baking him a little something once he's decided what flavour of cake he'd like, photos to follow!

The Firefighter's favourite

2009-08-17T17:58:00.006+01:00

Now that my husband and in-laws and I are having to loosen our belts due to excessive cake eating (well a girl has to practice you know), it's been suggested by my fella that though he loves my cakes, it wouldn't do any harm to donate a few here and there to the worthy firefighters down at the station. So this strawberry jam victoria sponge bad boy was just for them...apparently it lasted for all of about 3 minutes and was devoured in quarters opposed to slices!

Ah, they are people after my own heart; those that believe cake is a main meal!

Choctastic strawbellistic cake

2009-08-17T17:47:00.003+01:00

I recently had the pleasure of finally making a cake for somebody other than my caked out family. Believe it or not, people do get a little tired of cake, (I kid you not, and no I don't understand it either!)

So armed with an order for a white chocolate cake with strawberry topping, I got down to some serious cake research (is there a term for someone who is a cake geek?) and created this scrummy white chocolate ganache cake with strawberry layering on the inside and white chocolate ganache and shavings on top....and obviously as it was for a loving couple it was topped with strawberry hearts!

poppyseed goodness

2009-08-10T19:29:00.003+01:00

So apologies first of all, I've been baking like a woman with a buttercream addiction, but I haven't been posting very regularly, so slapped wrist for me.

Anyhow, recently, I've been thinking about how to incorporate seeds into my cake-making ventures and so decided to start out with a well-loved classic; the poppyseed cake. My only tiny twists on the age-old version is making it as a loaf and sprinkling a handful of sunflower seeds on top.

The resulting cake was buttery and to die for, it was barely out of the oven before the family had devoured the lot! All in all, a thumbs up!

One of my favourites...yum!

2009-07-19T19:27:00.003+01:00

I've just got back from a gorgeous wedding this weekend so I've not been baking at all this weekend....hence the baking shakes!

However, I have got a scrummy picture of a cardamom cake I made with pistachio mascarpone filling. It started off a little dry, but after sitting out for a little while it was soft, moist and divine!

Banana, pecan and honey cupcakes

2009-07-16T18:46:00.006+01:00

With all the baking that I've been doing, my husband and I are overidden with cakes, they are out at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and all the snacktimes inbetween...and that is exactly where they should be!

However when I suggested I had a new recipe to try my husband made it clear these ones would be put to good use at the local Fire Service where he works. So here are my scrummy yummy banana, pecan and honey cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream icing. They were scoffed down before the fire engine went out, which is lucky as I heard the unlucky last cupcake was thrown about considerably on the way to an emergency!

Cakey craft project

2009-07-15T23:21:00.004+01:00

One of my good friends is getting married this Saturday and I have spent ages deciding on what to get the happy couple for the big event.

I've recently finished my first year of an MSc course and promised myself that this summer would be filled with more baking and craft projects. I thought this wedding was as good a time as any to start give my friend a really personal gift by making her and her husband to be a gift.

After considering what to make and being inspired by Design Sponge's recycled cake plates, (of course the gift was to be cake related), I made my friend this present... I'm pretty happy with it and hope that her and her partner can enjoy it forever more!

Picture of my home crafted gift below. If you'd like to see where I got my idea, here's Design Sponge's link http://www.designspongeonline.com/2008/05/diy-project-kates-recycled-cakestands.

Rose buttercream victoria sponge

2009-07-14T19:56:00.008+01:00

So the other day I was bumbling about the kitchen and trying to decide on something to bake.

It was a beautiful summer day and I thought the only thing for it was a delicious victoria sponge, but perhaps with a floral twist.

On a holiday in the Ilse of Wight a couple of years ago I tried some gorgeous lavender scones and loved the distinctive and subtle floral taste. The idea of trying yummy flower flavoured cakes appealed to me, so I decided to make a four layer victoria sponge with rose buttercream icing inbetween layers and on the surface.

The cake turned out gorgeous and tasty! Here it is....

If anyone wants recipes for any of the cakes I make just let me know!

I've got the cupcake bug

2009-07-13T20:00:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I've caught it and it is not easy to lose!

It started with the odd bake, I had nothing else to do, it was a Sunday and I thought 'mmm hot cake would be nice!'

6 months later I'm baking almost every day and am showing no signs of stopping!

I trawl the Internet for great recipes and spend hours deliberating on pretty cases, cute sprinkles and vibrant colours to buy for my beloved cupcakes.

So, I thought it was time to start up my own cupcake blog...hopefully you'll catch the cupcake bug too!

Here's one of my yummy vanilla cupcake batches with vanilla butter cream. A classic flavour of cupcake and they went down a treat on a afternoon tea with the family.