Marble whoppie pies

 It's been a manic few months for me, my mood has been pretty low so I've been away from the kitchen for quite a while. However I'm currently off work as it's the Easter holiday so I finally got back in the kitchen. my housemates were out so I jammed up the music, put on my apron and got cooking. It's funny but once I was in the zone everything just came back to me naturally, my mind abuzz with new recipes and flavour combinations. Two hours later I stood back and saw my creation, marble whoppie pies. A chocolate and vanilla sponge, filled with a chocolate and vanilla buttercream, two classics in one.

Victoria sponge cake

 

A classic. Whenever you go out for tea there will always be a slice of Victoria sponge waiting at the counter for you. It's the cake most people go for as it's not too sweet but is still delicious and can be found presented in many different ways. If you are not from Britain just think of it as a yellow cake filled with Jam and cream. Yum!

Lemon cupcakes

Spring is finally here and I couldn't be happier, the cold weather was really starting to bring me down. So much so that I haven't posted on my blog since September! I thought I'd come back with something delicious and fresh and what could be better than lemon. The lemon flavour always reminds me of the sun so it was definitely a must have for todays lovely weather.

Cinnamon baked doughnuts

I've had such a rough first week back in work that I needed cheering up, the one thing that helps me to do this is baking. So with my cupboards being empty I ran to Tesco to get some supplies. I love baked doughnuts as they are so quick to make, and once you have a basic recipe you can adapt it to suit all flavour combinations.

Walnut brownies

  

I always hate it when I get the urge to bake but I have hardly any ingredients in the house, it makes things really complicated. However these brownies are one of my favourites to make on short notice, most of the ingredients you will have in the house. Today I'm off to my mums house for some Tapas and Wine, and I know for a fact that she will have nothing there for dessert so I decided last minute to bake these brownies as I knew I had all the ingredients spare. 

Thumbprint cookies

 If I crave something it is always something sweet, these thumbprint cookies are perfect for that, they are small but sweet and hit the craving right out of the park. They can be stored for up to five days and are so easy to make the kids will love them.

The biscuit is moist and the jam is the perfect sweetness, making these cookies a simple but delicious treat.

Clementine and dark chocolate chip madeira cake

 For me this time of year is the best for watching TV, simply because The Great British Bake off is back on, which means that my Wednesday nights are fully booked for the next few weeks. It also means that my baking groove is back so any free time is spent in the kitchen, baking some delicious bakes. The first episode of the show was cakes with the contestant baking some incredible Madeira cakes. 

Chocolate chip muffins

Muffins are one of the best things to make if you are a beginner, all you basically do is combine all the ingredients, stick them in the oven and 20 minutes later out comes a perfectly cooked batch of muffins. With muffins you can also create some amazing flavour combinations, whether they be savoury or sweet. 

Banana, walnut and chocolate chip bread

When you invite someone over for a nice cup of tea it's always nice to have something sweet to offer them. One of my favourite tea time treats is Banana bread. It's sweet but not sweet enough to make your teeth hurt, and has a lovely moist texture. Place it in the centre of you table with a bread knife and let your guests help themselves. 

Vanilla cupcake

Sometimes the best cupcakes are the simplest, there are so many flavours out there but once in a while all I want is a plain vanilla cupcake. This recipe is my original recipe, the one I base all my other flavours off. It's moist, tasty and perfect for that cupcake craving. 

Coconut cupcakes

 Summer is coming and if there is one thing that gets me in the mood for it its coconut! I love coconut, it's a fresh flavour and is really fun to use in baking. These cupcakes were a huge hit with everyone and after a stressful week of detoxing it was nice to treat myself.

Mud Pie

This recipe was one of the first that I ever baked on my own and has become a family favourite since. It's moist and gooey but the biscuit base gives it that crunch. The idea for this pie came after I became obsessed with American baking styles a few years back, their flavour combinations are much more exciting than the UK and this rich dessert is a good example. 

Cookie and cream baked doughnuts

After being away from blogging for almost a year I am so glad to be back. Making celebration cakes for a living was not only repetitive but people can be rude and I began to resent it. However now I'm back baking for myself I am so happy, my passion is back and I couldn't wait to get started.

Cinnamon bun cake

 

I love cake and I love cinnamon buns, so it was obvious that one day I would combine the two and come up with this tasty treat.

Breakfast can sometimes be boring, but on special occasions it's nice to spice things up. This is why I love this cinnamon cake, it's sweet and delicious. Perfect for not only breakfast but lunch, dinner, supper and all things in between. 

My family loved it, and it was almost gone by the end of the day. 

Red Velvet cupcakes

Red velvet wasn't really seen a lot in Britain until recently, however I have always been a huge fan. The cream cheese frosting is by far my favorite part it's not overly sweet and has a lovely consistency. The sponge is always moist and the red colour makes it different and fun.

Red Velvet cake

 There is something about red velvet, I don't know whether it's the moist sponge or the cream cheese frosting but I am addicted. This cake is perfect with a cuppa and a huge hit with my family. Simple to make and something different.

Lemon meringue pie cupcakes

I love cupcakes, you can come up with some seriously weird flavour combinations and it always turns out to be one of your best ideas. This lemon meringue pie cupcake is one of these combinations. With a pie crust base, lemon sponge, lemon curd center and a fluffy meringue topping it is by far one of my weirdest creations and I love it!

Cookie stuffed Cupcakes

 

So yesterday I started back to University after two weeks off. Getting up at 7 in the morning almost killed me, but it made me realise that soon I will no longer be at University and that it is time to get my act together. I have less than four month until I'm finished and I need to decide what I'm going to do. As much as I would love to come out of University, open a shop and be sorted for the rest of my life this isn't realistic as to open a shop you need money, and I don't have any of that. So I decided to start job hunting.

Basic sponge cake recipe (Two tier etc)

 So when I first started making cakes I always struggled to find recipes for a two tier birthday cake, I think it's because when using different tin sizes most people just use their normal recipes and adapt it. However if you're not to great at maths or don't have the time to practice here is how to do it.

Vanilla sponge recipe

6" requires 1 recipe (Fill two tin 1/2 full, use leftovers for cupcakes)

8" requires 1 recipe split between two tins

10" requires 2 recipes one per tin

INGREDIENTS

400g plain flour

325g casting sugar

280g unsalted butter

5 large eggs

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cream of tartar

3tsp baking powder

2tsp vanilla extract

240ml milk

280g unsalted butter

    750g icing sugar

   1tsp Vanilla extract

   2tbsp Milk

ROSE CUPCAKES

I love the rose cupcake design, it is one of my favorites so to jazz up the muffins I made yesterday ready for University tomorrow I made up some vanilla butter cream, cut of the top of my muffin and using a petal tip created a rose effect. Trust me at first it can be incredibly difficult and after a number of attempts I am still no closer to perfection. But as I always say practice makes perfect.