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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
CakeryBakery
Excellentcakeeatingskills.Nowforthebaking.
Incaseyouwerewondering
21/08/2012inUncategorized|Leaveacomment
IdecidedthatkeepingupwithtwoblogsmeantIwasntgivingproperattentiontoeither,andnowpost
CakeryBakerystuffonmymainblog,makealongstoryshort.net.Comefindusthere,andclickonfood!
InwhichtheHummingbirdBakerytriestowinmeover
tocupcakery.
01/02/2012inChocolate,Muffins/Cupcakes|Tags:chocolatefondantcupcakes,frosting,hummingbirdbakery|3comments
YouknowhowIfeelaboutcupcakes.(Doyou?Youdonthaveto,ifyoudontwant,butinshort:toomuch
teethrotfornotenoughcake.)But,youknow,therearecupcakesandthenthereareHummingbirdBakery
cupcakes.SoIhear.
Mylovely,lovelycousinboughtmeaHummingbirdBakeryrecipebookforChristmaswasntthatthenicest
thingever?andIvebeendribblingshamelesslyoverthephotographsallmonth.Unfortunately,Iamina
bakewhenthebabysleepsphaseoflifeatthemoment,andthebabydoesntsleep.Yesterday,however,
chargedwiththesolemnresponsibilityofbringingchocolatecaketoafriend,Isnuckdownstairsat7amand
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madethese:chocolatefondantcupcakes.
Theywonmeoverbecausetheicingisnticing,itschocolateanddoublecream.NowthereisacombinationI
cangetbehind.Andactually,theywerequitestraightforward.Dryingredients(alltheusualstuff)wentinone
bowl.
Youwhiskallthattogetherwithanelectricwhisk(orafreestandingmixerifyouvegotone).Ifyouthinkyou
canwhiskflour,sugarandcocoapowdertogetherwithoutwhiskingitallthewayaroundyourkitchen,bythe
way,thenthinkagain.Onceitsblendedtogetherandyouvestoppedchokingonairbornecocoa,addthewet
ingredients:milkandacoupleofeggs.Sofar,sostandard.Themixturegoesintoyourbakingcasesandtheyre
ovenboundforeighteenminutes.
ItwasatthispointthatIrealisedtherecipespecifiedmuffincases,andIdusedsmallercakecases.Nota
disaster,butitmadewhatcamelatermuchmoretricky,anditmeantIhadtwiceasmanycupcakesasintended.
Istruggledquitehardtobesadaboutthis,butdidntmanageit.
Nowforthefrosting.Finelychopsomedarkchocolateandtrynottohurtyourhandtoomuch.Itsabittricky,
butthelittleshavingsyougetareoddlysatisfyingtoproduce.
Doesntthatlookpretty?
Thenyouheatsomecreamuntiljustboiling,andpourthecreamintothebowlofchoppedchocolate.Andit
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
doesthis.
Itsmellsamazing.IcameoverallWillyWonka.Ilostmyheadabit.IthinkImightvecackled.Keepstirring,
andyouendupwiththis.
Oncethecakeandthefrostingarecool,herecomestheinterestingbit.Youdigachunkoutofeachcake,poura
bitofthefrostinginside,trimthelidtofit,andthenputitbackon.Thentopthewholethingwithmorefrosting.
Thiswasterriblyexciting,andallthemoresobecauseIgottocallmytinyspatulaintoserviceforonlythe
secondtimeinitslife.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Therecipejustsaidtoswirlthefrostingontop,whichseemedtoassumeabitmorecupcakeknowhowthanI
had.Ihadagoatswirling,butIthinkthefrostingwasntasstiffasitshouldvebeenperhapsIshouldhave
leftittocoolforlongerandinstead,itjustslithered.Itlookedok,though.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Andwhatabouttheeating?Prettygood,Ithought.Thecakegoesquitestiffanddenseonceitscool,soIdont
thinkthemixturewasanythingspecial.Thefrostingismorechocolateythanawhackroundtheheadwitha
chocolatepoker.Andthelittlepuddleofchocolateinsideisadelight.Canyouimaginehowgoodthesewould
bewarmedup?Orsteadyyourselveswithicecream?
Deliciousness:Ilikedthemalot.IwasntsurewhetherIlikedthembecausethecupcakeitselfwasnice,or
becausetheycontainedsomuchchocolate.Probablythelatter.Buteitherway:yum.
Complexity:Morefiddlythanyouraveragecupcake,butIratherenjoyedtheassembly.
Washinguppile:Thirteenverymessyitems.Includingaperhapsexcessivenumberoftestingspoons.
Casualties:Igotthechocolatechoppingbruiseonmyhandagain.Ireallyneedtolookintothatspecial
chocolateknife.
YouWantMoreFruitMuffins?WeGotMore
FruitMuffins.
17/11/2011inCheesecakes,Fruit,Muffins/Cupcakes|Tags:BBCGoodFoodCakesandBakes,cutleryknife,healthfood,strawberry
cheesecakemuffins|1comment
Canwetalkaboutstrawberrycheesecakemuffinsforaminute?BecauseImadesometheotherday,andthey
turnedoutratherwell.
Hereisasecret:Iamnot,atpresent,atmythinnest.Babieswilldothattoyou,apparently.Onewouldthink
thatthebestcureforthiswouldbetostopeatingsomuchcake,butthatisnotthekindofthinkingoutsideof
theboxImaimingfor.Mysolution,forthemoment,istooccasionallybakestuffwithfruitinit,andtoallow
logictolanguishbythewaysideuntilImgettingalittlemoresleep.Anyonewhotellsyouthatcakedoesnt
helpwithdisturbednightsisatelleroffalsehoods,andthatistheendofit.
Anyway.Strawberry.Cheesecake.Muffins.Threemarvellousthingsrolledintoonegloriouswhole.I
foundtheminmyBBCGoodFoodCakesandBakesbook,buttheyrealsohere.Themuffinmixisastandard
floursugareggsmilkbutterbakingpowderconcoction,andsincethebutterneedstobemelted,absolutelyno
creamingisrequired.Therecipespecifiesthatthemixtureshouldbelooseandslightlylumpy,warningthat
overmixingleadstotoughmuffins.Withasoundlikealightbulbgoingoff,Irememberedthatthescones
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recipeIuseasksforthemixturetobecombinedwithacutleryknife.Thisissoincrediblyawkwardthatit
preventsyoumixingtooenthusiastically(thusensuringlightnessofscone).SoIgotoutaknifeforthemuffin
mix,too,anditworkedjustfine.
Knifed.
Thenextstageismixingtogethercreamcheeseandsugarforthefilling.
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Thencomestheassembly.First,halffillyourpapercaseswithmuffinmix.Thenaddhalfasmallstrawberry
andablobofthecreamcheesemixture.
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Anotherspoonfulofmuffinmixgoesoverthetoptohidethefilling.
(Dontjudgemebythecolourofmymuffintins,bytheway.TheyreactuallyYorkshirepuddingtins,sothey
dontgetwashed.ThisistheLawofYorkshirePuddingTins,andcannotbehelped.)
Afterfifteenminutesintheoven,theyverisenafairbit.Ididntwanttoburnthemsodidntcookminequite
longenoughtheywerealittlestickyandnotverygoldenbrown.Butthemuffinwasnotatalltough(yessss,
cutleryknife!)andthefillingwasamarvel.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Becarefultowaittilltheyvecooledalittle.Boilingstrawberryisnotsomethingyouwantonyourtongue
underanycircumstances.Wevemadethismistakebefore.
Deliciousness:Ifindithardtogetexcitedaboutmuffins,generally,butthefillingmakesthesealittlemore
special.Acrowdpleaserforguests,Ibet.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Complexity:Dontboilyourbutterintocheese.Otherwise,veryeasy.Alittlemoreassemblythanyouraverage
muffin,butmoreenjoyableforthat.
Washinguppile:IratherthinktheOtherHalfdidthewashingupafterthese,soIdidntcount.Usepapercases
ratherthanthesiliconevarietyforasmallerpile.
Casualties:Strawberryburnsaplenty.Learnfromoursilliness.
Crumbleitup
05/10/2011inFruit,Pudding,Seasonal|Tags:autumn,onepotdishes,pearandtoffeecrumble|1comment
Oh,autumn.Youtricksydevil,you.
IwassoexcitedaboutfindingmyselfinlateSeptemberlastweek.Myfriends,autumnmeansnothinglessthan
PUDDINGSEASON.Crumbles,treaclesponges,applepieandanythingelsethatcanbepartneredwith
custard:thisiswhatIdreamofatnight.ButjustwhenIdgotoutmycrumbledish,allaquiverwith
anticipation,theweathersuddenlyturnedtropicalforfourorfivedays.Weswelteredin28C,anditwasnota
crumbleappropriatetemperatureatall.O,butIamfortunesfool.
Today,however,wereturnedtogrimraininess,andthebabeandIventuredouttothepostofficeundergrey
andsullenskies.Crumblewasgloriouslybackonthemenu.Idecidedonapearandtoffeevarietyfromabook
ofonepotdishesIhaveonmyshelf.Because,well.Wouldntyou?
Onwards,then.Steponeisthecrumbletopping.Afairlystandardcombinationofdicedbutterrubbedintoflour,
thencombinedwithdemerarasugarandchoppedhazelnuts.Iendeduphavingtoaddmoreflourthaninstructed
(thefirstattemptwasfartoosticky),butotherwise,thiswentwell.
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...Tothis.
Idforgottentobuyhazelnuts,buthappilyfoundanancientbagoftheminthebackofmycupboard.Thebest
beforedatewasJuly2011,butonbalance,IdecidedIwasunlikelytocontractE.colifromahazelnut,and
forgedaheadanyway.
Steptwoisthetoffee.Makingtoffeesauceisthemosthappymakingthingontheplanet,Isometimesthink.
Theingredientsarejoyous:goldensyrup,cream,butter,vanillaessence,sugar.Youthrowthemallinandthen
gentlysimmerforafewminutes.Itsmellslikeambrosiaitself.Toffeesaucecompleted.
Stepthreeisthefilling.Peelandchopfourlargepears,fryinmorebutterforashortwhileandthenaddthe
toffeesauce.OnceIddonethis,thepearshadjuicedupsomuchthatthemixturewasquitewatery,butI
assumeditwouldreduceintheoven(andsoitdid).
Thepearmixturegoesinthebottomofthedish,andthecrumbleontop.Aftertwentyminutesorsointheoven,
itsdone.
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(Isitme,ordoesitlookabitlikesick?Itshardtomakecrumblelookgoodinaphotograph.Itwasmuchmore
appealinginreallife,honest.)
Deliciousness:Itwaslovely.LOVELY.Butitdidnttastemuchoftoffee.Thepearsoverpoweredit.More
toffeesauceisrequired,Ithink.Also,itwouldnthurttoincludemorehazelnutsthanthespecifiedtwo
tablespoons.Youcouldnttastethoseeither,thoughmaybethatsbecauseminehadgoneoff.
Complexity:Veryeasy.Pearsareabitgrosswhenyoupeelandchopthem,butatleasttheydontneedcoring.
Washinguppile:Averyreasonablefive.
Casualties:Majorhandcrampfromrubbingbutterintoflour.Isthereamachinethatwoulddothisforyou?Id
buyone.
BackintheSaddle
20/09/2011inCake,Fruit|Tags:fatlesssponge,Victoriasponge|Leaveacomment
Hey,rememberwhenIusedtomakecake?Metoo.AndthenIgotallhugeandspentmyweekendshunting
downpushchairsinthewildsofNorthLondonandthenIhadababy,sothecaketookabackseat.Well,itturns
outthatmylittleboyisreallygoodatsleepingthroughelectricmixers,soImsureIcanjugglebakingAND
changingnappies(thoughnotatthesametime,becausethatstuffisnasty).
Anyway,myforaybackintofloursandsugarsyesterdaytooktheformofafatlessVictoriasponge.Fatless,you
say?Yes:theresnobutter.Thecakerisesusingtheairyouvewhiskedintoeggwhites.Iwouldliketothink
thatthisturnsthecakeintohealthfood.Ifyouignoretheamountofwhippedcreamyouputinitlater.
Youstartwithsievingplainflour,cornflourandbakingpowdertogether,then,inaseparatebowl,separating
foureggsandwhiskingthewhitesuntilstiff.EveryrecipeIveevercomeacrossbringsoutthisoldchestnut
abouteggwhitesbeingstiff,andnoonehaseverspecifiedexactlywhattheymean.SoItakeaguess:
generallyIkeepgoinguntiltheeggisclingingtothewhisklikethis:
Youaddcastersugartotheeggwhites,thenpourinthewhiskedeggyolks,thenwhiskabitmore,thenfoldin
theflourmixture.Iwasntsurehowlongyouweresupposedtokeepwhiskingatthispoint,either,soleftit
whenthemixturedrippedsmoothlyoffthewhisklikethis:
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Mostlybecausemyarmwashurting.
Thatsaboutit,asfarasthepreparationgoes:thewholethingisdividedbetweentwo8inchcaketins(Ihadto
use7inchtins,becausethatswhatIvegot)andtheygointotheovenfor20minutes.
Onceout,thespongesareastrange,delicate,bubblytexture.Theydonthavethesameelasticityasaregular
sponge,whichunfortunatelymeanttheycameoutinaconeshape,tomatchtheslightlyslopingedgesofmy
tins.Usetinswithstraightedges,ifyouvegotthem.Butlightnessistobeencouragedwhenmyprevious
spongeeffortshavebeendenseenoughtouseasaGradeAweapon.
Strawberries,creamandjamareallthingsthatmakemeexceedinglyhappy,especiallyincombination,soI
tooktheconstructionoftheVictoriaspongeveryseriously.First,cakeno.1wentfacedownontotheplate.
ThenIspreadthejamcarefullyonthetop.Thespongesaresolightthatalittlehamfistedspreadingcouldruin
everything,soIstirredthejamvigorouslyfirsttomakeitmoremovable.
ThenIwhiskedthecream.Ialways,alwaysaccidentallyoverwhiskcream,andyesterdaywasnoexception.I
hadtoblobitontopofthejamwithaspatula,andthenspreaditoutasdelicatelyaspossible.
Thencamethestrawberries.Youneedaboutfiveorsix.
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Andfinally,becauseyoucanneverhavetoomuchjaminagivensituation,Idrizzledsomemoreontop(having
heateditupabitinthemicrowave).
Youalmostdontneedanothercakeontopofthis,especiallywhenitsanodd,lopsidedshapeanddoesntfit
properly,butsinceIdmadeone,andall,Idecidedtouseit.Abitoficingsugaronthetopcompletedthetask.
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Andtherewehaveit.Clearly,thiscakewillnotbewinninganyBestinShowprizes.Itlookslikeawonky
spinningtop.ButandthisistheimportantpartYUM.Thespongeislightandfeathery,andthefillingis
enoughtomakeoneweepwithjoy.
Deliciousness:Lovely,lovely,loveliness.Nevermindthatitsnotsummeranymore.Youcannevergowrong
withabitofcreamandjam.
Complexity:Ineedtoworkonappearances(orpossiblyjustbuysomedifferentcaketins).Butifyoucanmake
thiswithasleepingfourweekoldinthebackground,youcanmakeitanywhere.Itsnothard.
Washinguppile:Tenitems.Illdothemtomorrow,honest.
Casualties:Armachefromproppinguptheelectricmixer.Wimp.
BerriestotheRescue
17/07/2011inFruit,Pies,Seasonal|Tags:Berrytart,easy,impressivedesserts,puffpastry,summerdesserts|2comments
Look,Iknowwevehadtorrentialraintoday.Dontletthatdampenyourholidayspirit.WithaUVlamp,a
summerydessertandasandpittorestyourfeetinorahandycatlittertrayyoucanworkallkindsofmagic.
Heresthesummerydessertyourelookingfor,courtesyofthefranklyamazingCheekyKitchen:Plump
andPerfectBerryTart.Itisfruity,yummyandlooksallkindsofimpressive.Bestofall,itssoeasythateven
kitchendunceslikemyselfcanputittogetherinhalfanhour.Ihadtotaketwiceasmanystepbystepphotos
thisweek,justtogetthispostbeyondtwoparagraphs.
So,herewego.Startwithreadyrolledpuffpastry(youcanbuythestuffyourolloutyourself,ofcourse,but
sinceyouneedtoendupwithtwoidenticalrectangles,youmightswellletamachinedotherollingforyou).
Myboxunexpectedlycontainedonlyonesheetofpastry,soIcutitinhalf.Thenflourorgreaseabakingtray
andlaytherectanglesoneontopoftheotheronthetray.Thatgoesintheovenbyitselfforabout15minutes.I
brushedminewithmilkfirst,becauseIneverpassupanopportunitytouseapastrybrush.
Oncethepastrywasoutoftheoven,Icouldnthelpnoticingthatitwasapproximatelytwicetheheightof
thetartinthephotograph.Idhaveajobbalancingfruitontopofthat,soIdidabitofcautiousproddingtolet
theairout,untilthepastryhadreducedinsizeenoughtogoatitwitharollingpin.
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Yourolldownthecentretocreatealittlepastrywell.Dontbealarmedifyouresurroundedbylittleflying
piecesofpuffpastrydustatthispointjustdontrolltooenthusiastically.
Ongoestheyoghurt.TherecipecallsforvanillaflavouredGreekyoghurt,mixedwithavanillabean.Iusedjust
plainGreekyoghurt,mostlybecauseIconfessthenaturalstuffischeaper,plusIhadntthefirstcluewhere
tofindavanillabeaninTesco(dotheycomeinones?Howlargearethey?Howwouldyouscanoneatthetill?
Amystery).
Thencomesthefruit.Istucktothesuggestedkiwifruit,raspberriesandblackberries,becausethelattertwoare
inseasonatthemomentandareonsale.Youcouldusewhateverfruityouprefer,ofcourse.Atthemoment,Id
sticktotheberries:itsbeenagoodyearforberrygrowing,andtheyreHUGE.IdidhaveasmallcrisiswhenI
gotoutmytwokiwifruitandsuddenlyrealisedIhadntthefaintestideawhattodowiththem.Wevenever
eatenthemathomebefore.ThelasttimeIhadthiskindofexistentialdilemma,Iwasfacedwithchoppingupa
leekandcouldntrememberwhichbitsyouactuallyeat(dontjudgeme).
Googletotherescue.
Turnsoutyouchopofftheends,peelandthendice.Itsokforthemiddlebitstostayin.Isntitamazing
whathelpfulpeoplehaveputontheinternet?
Finally,microwavesomeclearhoneyforafewseconds,anddrizzleoverasyouwish.BecauseIdused
unsweetenedyoghurt,Iendedupusingquitealotofhoney.Butifyoudgoneforvanillayoghurt,youprobably
wouldntneedverymuch.
Andthereitis.
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Doesntthatlookfabulous?Youchopitupwithapizzaslicertoo,whichmakesanydessertworthhaving,in
mybook.
Deliciousness:Thecombinationoffruit,pastry,yoghurtandhoneyiswonderful.Dependingonthetypesof
fruitandyoghurtyouveused,youmayneedtosweetentoagreaterorlesserextent.Butyoucouldalwayshave
honeyonthetable,sopeoplecouldhelpthemselves.Oreatitwithicecream.
Complexity:Agreatdealeasierthanpie.Itsdoneinthirtyminutesorless,evenifyourethekindofidiotwho
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doesntknowhowtochopupakiwifruit.
Washinguppile:Abakingtray,arollingpin,andafewspoons.Acinch.
Casualties:None.Ididntevenaddtomyburncollection.Awinner!
CheesyChocolate:BetterThanItSounds
03/07/2011inCheesecakes,Chocolate|Tags:bakedcheesecake,moonlightbaker,nutellalayercheesecake|Leaveacomment
LookatwhatIfoundwhenbrowsingWordPress:theMoonlightBakersNutellaLayerCheesecakes.Doesthat
notsoundlikeheaveninalittlesquashyrectangle?Ibelieveitdoes.Apartfromdirectingme,onceagain,tothe
Nutellaaisle,italsogavemeanopportunitytoinvestigatebakedcheesecakesforthefirsttime,somethingIve
beenpluckingupthecouragetodoforawhile.WhenIwaslittle,acheesecakemeantafrozen,sculptedcream
frisbeewithagravellybaseandadollopofastringentberriesonthetop,whichwehadfordessertwhenpeople
camefordinner.Afterthathorrificearlyexperience,Iwentoffcheesecakesentirely,butbakedcheesecakesare
thereasonIgotbackonthestraightandnarrow.TescodoesavanillaNewYorkvarietythatIcouldeatinone
sitting,butwhich,thankfully,isslightlytooexpensiveforcasualpurchases.
ThedifficultywiththeMoonlightBakersrecipeisthatitsAmerican,whichmeantsomethingsgotlostin
translation.HavinglistenedverycarefullytotheOtherHalfsexplanationofwhatchocolategrahamcrackers
are(andhowyoumustnever,neverpronouncethemgraham),Icametotheconclusionthattheyarentsold
here.Ialsodidntknowwhatheavycreamwas,andhadtoseekadvicefromUSexpatriates.Isubstituted
Oreocookiesanddoublecream,respectively,andhadtohopeitwoulddo.
Thisisanotherfoodprocessorrecipe,butthequantitieswerejustsmallenoughthatIcouldusemysillylittle
foodmixerandfititallin.FirstyoucrumbletheOreos(onepacketwasenough)untiltheyreafinepowder,
thenmixinsomemeltedbuttertohelpthecrumbssticktogether.Thisbiscuitysandisspreadoverthebottom
ofalinedbakingtin.
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No,youcan'teatthemyet.
Givethefoodmixerarinse,andthenmoveontothecheesecake.Thisiscreamcheese,sugar,eggs,double
creamandvanillaextract,alldumpedinthemixerandpulsedtogether.Onceyouhavethemainmixture,you
decanttwothirdsofit,andaddacoupleofNutellaspoonfulstotherest.Andhere,predictably,iswherethings
startedtogooffthebeatentrack.Lookingatthedeliciousphotoontheblog(andmygoodness,Iloveitwhen
someonereallyknowshowtotakeagoodfoodphoto),theconsistencyofthecheesecakemixissupposedto
bewell,cheesy.OnceIdaddedeggstomycreamcheeseandmixeditupabit,theconsistencyofmymixture
wasmorelikethickcream.Idontknowwhethermymixerisoverenthusiasticorwhethercreamcheeseisany
denserintheStates.Whateverthereason,mytwolayersofcheesecakedidntsomuchlayerasintermingle.
Heighho,Ithought:amarbledcheesecakeitis.Intheovenwithyou.
After30minutesintheoventhemixturehadrisenanddarkenedalarminglydefinitelymoreyellowthan
white,andlookingmorecookedthanIdexpected.Icrossedmyfingersandputitinthefridgeforthe
recommendedthreehours,beforecuttingitintolittlesquares.
Andtheverdict:well,youwouldnteattheseforthelooks.Themarblingjustdoesntworkaswellasthelayers,
andtheyellowlooksdistinctlyeggyandoffputting(somethingwhichwouldvebeenavoidedifthevanilla
layerhadbeencompletelycoveredbytheNutellalayer).
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Erm.Yummy?
Theyrealittlemoisteranddenserthancheesecakeshouldbe,too:morelikewhattheFrenchwouldcallflan.
But,wonderofwonders,theydoactuallytastelikecheesecake.TheOreobaseworkswonderfullywiththe
vanilla,andtheNutellaisdistinctivewithoutbeingtoooverpowering.
Ihaventyetworkedouthowtomakethecheesecakemixturethicker,butitmightbeworthusingsmallereggs
sothereslessliquid,mixingbyhandinsteadofinthefoodmixer,and/orusingextrathickcreaminsteadof
doublecream.Wellsee.Becausetheydidntlastlonginourhouseevenjustwith2.75ofuseatingthem,soIll
definitelybetryingagainsoon.
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Deliciousness:Tastecouldntbefaulted.Textureandappearanceleftalittletobedesired.Notyetadessertfor
guests,methinks.
Complexity:Theworstpartwaswashingupthefoodmixerthreetimes.Thataside,fairlystraightforward.
Washinguppile:Eleven,withtwomixingbowlsandthedrattedfoodmixerbeingtheworstofit.
Casualties:Noneinourhouse,thoughIcantberesponsibleforwhattheneighboursmightvedoneafterhalf
anhourofsolidfoodmixing.Itsoundslikearustypowerdrill.Attachedtoanoldcat.
WhenisaCupcakenotaCupcake?
13/06/2011inFruit,Muffins/Cupcakes|Tags:creamcheese,icingsugar,raspberrycupcakes|1comment
Nowisaverygoodtimeforraspberries.
Ihaventhadmuchinthewayofpregnancycravingstinnedtomatoeshavebeentheworstofit,and
thankfullytheydonttendtoendupindessertsbutthisweek,raspberriesbecamethebeadedscarletberriesof
thegodsthemselves,andIcouldnoteatenoughofthem.Hence,whenitcametoweekendbaking,Iwent
straighttothersectionofallofmycookbooks.
Ichose,intheend,theerroneouslynamedraspberrycupcakes,arecipeIinheritedfromafriendafterfallingin
lovewiththepale,fruitylittlecakesshebroughtinoneMondaymorning.Theyreerroneouslynamedbecause,
accordingtomyownhazycakeryclassificationsystem,theyrenotreallycupcakes.Noswirlyfrosting,no
nicelyroundedtop.Perhapstheyretechnicallyclosertomuffins,althoughindeferencetomynativeNorthern
tongue,Idjustcallthembuns.
Whatevertheyare,theyrenothardtoputtogether.Thesurprisingelementofthisrecipeistheentirecartonof
fullfatcreamcheeseyouputinatthebeginning,alongwithcastersugar,vanillaessence,eggs,milkandflour.
Youresupposedtocreamalloftheingredientstogetherwithanelectricmixer.Iwassodelightedatactually
owningthesuggestedkitchenapplianceintherecipeforonce(albeitalittlehandheldversion,nota
freestandingmixer)thatIenjoyedthepreparationevenmorethanusual.
Oncealltheingredientsareincorporated,youendupwithathick,creamycolouredmixturethatstickstothe
whiskandlooksabitlikevanillacustard.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Theningoesfourtablespoonsofraspberryjam,plusasmanyfreshraspberriesasyourlittleheartdesires.
Fruity.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Pleasingly,therecipeasksyoutofillupyourcupcakecasesusinganicecreamscoop(why?Theydont
specify,butitdoesworkwell),thentheygointheovenfor25minutesorso.Abitofsievedicingsugaronthe
topfinishesthemoffnicely,thoughasusualImiscalculatedthesizeofmysieveanddrownedmycupcakesin
cloudsofwhitepowderbeforeIcouldstopmyself.
Thecupcakescomeoutpaleandflattopped,speckledwithredandsunkeninplaceswheretheraspberrieshave
been.Thecreamcheeseisthestrokeofgeniushere:itgivesthecakesadense,squishytextureandasmooth
tastethatsnicelydistinctfromyouraveragesponge.Everynowandagainyoucomeacrossanexplosionof
fruitinthemiddletheexplosionbeingliteralifyouretoogreedytowaittilltheyrecold,aswewerewhich
wassolovelyIwishedIdputinevenmoreraspberries.
Thedownsideisthattheyrenotespeciallypretty:aworldawayfromthebuttercreamcoveredmasterpieces
youseeatweddings,andnotlikelytoproduceagaspofadmirationwhenyouunveilthematadinnerparty.But
thatsortofthingmatterslesswhentheytastegoodenoughtoeattenatasitting.Honest.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Boxo'delights.
Deliciousness:Notonlyisthecakeitselfverymoreish,theamountoffruitineachcupcakesurelymakesthese
healthy.Abonus.
Complexity:Nothardatall,ifyouvegotthespecifiedicecreamscoop.
Washinguppile:Twelve.Quitealot,actually.
Casualties:Oneburntmouthapiece.Butthatwasmoreselfinflictedthanotherwise.
Surprise!
26/05/2011inCake,Chocolate|Tags:celebration,minstrelchocolatecake,Nigella|Leaveacomment
TheOtherHalftookhislastexam(hopefullyever,oratleastforquitealongtime)thisafternoon.
Itookasneakyafternoonoffwithouttellinghim,spedhomeandtoTescoslikeamaniac,andwhilehewas
writingaboutModernHeuristics(urgh),Iwasmakingthis:
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Becauseiftheresanythingthatsayscelebrationtothischap,itslargequantitiesofMinstrels.
Thisisanoldfashionedchocolatecake,accordingtoNigellaswebsite,whichwasthefirsttoappearwhenI
typedchocolatecakeintoGoogle.Personally,Ithinkthefactthatoneofthemainingredientsissourcream
makesitquiteamodernchocolatecake,butletsnotquibble.Thecakemix,unusually,containsbothbaking
powderandbicarb(stilldontreallyknowthedifferencebetweenthem),butapartfromthisandthesourcream,
istheusualeggs/sugar/flour/cocoaconcoctionyoudexpect.NigellarecommendsAGAINjustputtingall
theingredientsinyourhandyfoodprocessor.ThedayIactuallyownafoodprocessor,Imgoingtowriteand
tellher.Imsureshellbepleased.Anyway,Ididitthelongwayround,creamingbutter,sugarandflourand
thenaddingthewhiskedcocoa,cream,vanillaandeggs.Itsalayercake,whichmeantthestressofproducing
twoidenticalhalvesagain,butasidefromleavingthemintheovenatouchtoolong(theywerealittledry
aroundtheedges),theyseemedtocomeoutok.
Theicingischocolate,butter,yetmoresourcream,vanillaandaLOTofsievedicingsugar.Doesanyoneknow
whetherinhalingicingsugarisahealthrisk?Ifeltlikeacoalminerafteraverycloudyfewminutesinthe
kitchen.
Oncethecakesarecool,athirdoftheicingissandwichedbetweenthem,andtherestgoesonthetopandsides.
ThisisthefirsttimeIveeverhadtocallmytinyspatulaintoservice,whichwasmostsatisfying:Iwas
beginningtothinkthepoorthingwasentirelyuseless.Iforgottoputbakingpaperunderneaththecaketocatch
thedrips,bytheway,butwipedofftheexcesswithkitchenroll,soitwasntadisaster.
AfewthousandMinstrelslater(notreally,butitfeltlikeit),itwasdone.Theystickunexpectedlywelltothe
icing,whichwasarelief:theyrequiteheavy,soIthoughtperhapstheydslipoff.
Hewaspleased,atanyrate.EspeciallywhenItoldhimIdoverboughtontheMinstrelsandtherewerelots
left.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
SlicingthroughMinstrelswithalargeknifemakesonefeelterriblymanly.SoI'mtold.
Deliciousness:ThedarkchocolatemakesthisquiterichsmallerslicesworkbetterandIovercookedthe
cakeslightly,asIsaid.Still,thisisagoodfind:anexcellentallroundcelebrationcakethatcouldbeadaptedfor
allsortsofoccasions.Ifnecessary,youcouldmaketheicingfromamixtureofmilkanddarkchocolate,instead
ofalldark,tomakeitmorechildfriendly.
Complexity:Evenwithoutafoodprocessor,notdifficulttomake.Assemblyisquitetrickymakesureyou
haveatinyspatulaonhand(orthebackofatinyspoonwouldprobablydo).
Washinguppile:IwasinsucharushIforgottocount,butseemedtogothroughabsolutelyallofmymixing
bowlsquiteafeat.
Casualties:Ihesitatetosayit,butyetanotherminorovenburn.Ineedtostartwearingovengloves
permanently,Ithink.
ANewInvention:HomelessGuysShortbread
22/05/2011inChocolate,Traybakes|Tags:butterflambe,disaster,millionaire'sshortbread|Leaveacomment
Well,whatatravestythatwas.
IhadastartlinglybrightideawhenIsatdowntoconsiderthisweeksbakingeffort.Howaboutmillionaires
shortbread,butreplacingtheshortbreadwiththesofterbiscuitystufffromlastweekendslemonbars?Ive
madeNigellasmillionairesshortbreadbefore,anditwasnttoodifficult,asIrecall,butthesoftcaramel
oozingbetweenlayersofhardenedshortbreadandcooledchocolatemadeitalmostimpossibletocutproperly.
Thecaramelkeptdrippingoutoftheside,liketryingtosliceanoverstuffedtunamayosandwichwhenyouve
putafoolishamountofemphasisonthemayo.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Thesolution,Ithought,wastomaketheshortbreadsofter.SoImadeupanotherbatchofthelemonbarbase
usingthesamemethodasbefore,andputitintheoven.ItsthefirsttimeIveevermixedandmatchedwhenit
comestorecipesIdontatallhaveanaturalsenseofwhatcanbesubstitutedforwhat,sosticktothebook
likeitsholywritandIfeltincrediblydaring.WhataterriblyrebelliouscookIwas.JustlikeJamesDean,
onlywithlesshairgelandmorespatulas.
Iwasntquitesurehowlongtocooktheshortbreadforthelemonbarsitsonlyintheovenforfifteenminutes,
butthenitgoesbackinwiththelemontoppingforafurtherthirtyfive.Ikeptitinfor25minutes,intheend,
anddecideditlookeddone.Butthenoh,thencamethecaramel.Thiswassupposedtobemyfavouritepart.
CondensedmilkandIhaveaverydeeplyfeltconnection,andaddingbutterandgoldensyruptoitcouldonly
addtotheexperience,Iwasconvinced.Nigellarecommendsmeltingthebutterfirst,andthenaddingthe
condensedmilkandgoldensyrup,andboilingthewholelotforafewminutesinthemicrowave.Arelief,asthe
alternativeisboilingforseveralhoursinapan,andImnotsureanyonelovesmillionairesshortbreadthat
much.
Well,Ifollowedtheinstructions.Istirredmanicallyeveryminuteorso.Andaftersevenminuteshadgoneby,I
realisedsomethinghadgonehorriblywrong,andbysomething,Imeanthebutterhadcurdledintocheese.
Justlikewithmydisastrouspecanpie,remember?ExceptthattimeIseriouslyovermeltedthebutter,andthis
timeIthoughtIdbeencareful.Notcarefulenough,itseems,becauseinsteadofgloriouslythickenedtoffee,I
hadabowlfulofcheesylumps.SOB.
Thetoffeecheeseissad.
SinceIdidntwanttowastetheshortbread,Imeltedthechocolateanywayandspreaditontop,thinkingthat
thiswasquitealotofefforttogotojusttoendupwithchocolatebiscuits.Then,onefridgespelllater,it
emergedthatthishadntworkedeither.Theshortbreadwastoohard.Thechocolatelayerwastoothick.They
wouldntevensticktogetherlongenoughtocutoutasquare.Andoh,theruinationofawholetinofcondensed
milkmakesmewanttocry.Iwouldveeatenitasitwas,ifIdknown.
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
Erm.Yummy.
Explosionofinediblecrumbs.
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TheOtherHalf'sDIYMillionaire's,toffeecheeseinserted.
Afterthisterribleblowtomyselfesteem,nextweekIwillbemakingsomethingImsureIcanmake.Standby
forroastdinnercake.Ohyes.
(Thankfullynothingisevertrulyafailureinourhouse:theOtherHalf,whileadmittingthatthetoffeehadthe
appealingconsistencyofWelshrarebitsoup,stilldecantedhalfofitintoicecubetraystomakesweets.Heis
threateningtohavetherestofitontoast.Youhavetoadmiretheingenuity.)
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Cakery Bakery | Excellent cake-eating skills. Now for the baking.
SERIOUSaboutleftovers.
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