Fondant Friday: Baby Shower Cupcakes

A while back, a friend of mine was invited to a baby shower. We having the usual chit-chat of what to bring, already knowing the mommy to-be had almost everything already. She had already bought a small gift, So I suggested why not bring along some cupcakes? They were super cute and a real nice touch if I may say so myself.

The mommy-to-be didnt know the sex of the baby so I did a mix 'n' match batch. I loved making each individual topper and although the were a bit time consuming, I adored the end result. I could honestly whittle away cupcake toppers each evening and die a happy woman. The went down an absolute storm at the baby shower. Sometimes the smallest little details can make the biggest impact...I was beyond delighted.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Shirley x

Chocolate Fudge Cake

Hello you lovely people!

Where has time gone?! I have been M.I.A lately and hopefully will get back into some sort of blogging routine soon. I don't really know what it is about summer but blogging seems to go out the window for me. It probably has a lot to do with the bright long evenings and the fact we are actually having a summer. It has been a fantastic summer so far. You can wear shorts,vests and dresses without getting the 'I hope we get the weather shes expecting look' lol! I've been baking here and there but not half as regular as I would...I'm clearly a seasonal baker.

Last week I got an urge...I just HAD to have cake. I was in work and was itching for home time just so I could start baking. The last few weeks of bakes have been for other people so I had great plans to sit and eat cake all to myself until I couldn't breathe.....and that's exactly what I did!

Admittedly I didn't eat the whole thing alone. G and Mr. T were only too happy to indulge with me. It was light and fluffy with a smooth chocolatey buttercream. I adapted a recipe from god knows because I am clearly the most unorganised person EVER. But I do remember adding maple syrup to the cake batter and my, my! I will definitely be doing it again. It gave the richest,deepest flavour.....superb!

Happy Tuesday guys and I hope everyones enjoying their summer!

Shirley x

Guitar Cake

Hello...remember me..lol!

No I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, time has just not been my friend as of late. I honestly don't have a clue where February went and then I feel like I blinked and missed March. I mean how in gods name is it the first of April already!!!

I haven't even dabbled in much bakes. I went off bread for lent (like a crazy person) and my whole family went off sweet things so all that was left to make was more savoury dishes.....which I'm considering sharing as it does class as baked goods....right?!

I did, however, get an order for this guitar cake. I can't tell you how happy a new cake challenge makes me. It was something I had never done before and I've certainly never made something so large. I loved every minute of it.

I baked five sheets of chocolate cake and used a template I cut out of cake boards. I then "glued" them all together with buttercream and crumb coated. I think I've finally got my crumb coating down so that it crusts perfectly for the fondant. I then covered it in fondant and added the extra bits 'n' bobs with a little bit of edible glue.

I was pretty chuffed with the results......super fun project!

Hope you are keeping well out there in blogland!

Shirley x

Strawberry and Vanilla Viennese Whirls

Firstly I just want to say a Happy Pancake Tuesday to one and all! I love pancakes, I would be more of a lover of the sweet pancakes (shocker!) than the savoury. I can usually manage 3,maybe 4 and then die of pancake overload.

I used always be a jam gal until a trip to Paris with G. We were strolling up the Champs-Elysées and saw this huge crowd. I genuinely thought there was a celebrity or something near by, there was such a buzz. But no it was for crepes.....aka a thinner pancake! I had to see what all the fuss was about so we got one stuffed with nutella and oh maa lawwwd! A love affair was born.

Anyways to get back to these dainty bite-sized biscuits. As you all know by now I have a serious sweet tooth, that strikes at anytime. Whether it is waking up in the morning craving a muffin or staying up until 1a.m. baking Pecan Cinnamon Rolls, My sweetooth has it's own body clock. This time was no different. These were baked about 10p.m one night. Luckily they are beyond easy to make and bake within minutes.

These biscuits are buttery and melt almost instantly in your mouth. I chose to fill mine with strawberry conserve and vanilla buttercream which was dreamy to say the least. My sister thought they were shop bought which was a super compliment to get!

Recipe for Strawberry and Vanilla Viennese Whirls

Makes 12 bite-sized biscuits (24 biscuits sandwiched)

Ingredients

• 160g really soft butter
• 25g icing sugar
• 125g plain flour
• 25g cornflour
• 3/4 tsp  vanilla extract
• Vanilla Buttercream
• Strawberry Conserve

Instructions

 

1. Preheat the oven to 170C (fan-assisted oven). Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
   
2. Put the butter, icing sugar, plain flour, cornflour and vanilla extract in a mixer and beat until well combined and smooth. Making sure to scrape down the sides.
   
3. Spoon the dough into your piping bag fitted with star tip. I made mine bite-sized. So I piped them quite small just using enough pressure on the the bag that a dollop piped out. They were about a 2 euro coin sized round. Make sure you pipe them with a good amount of space apart, they may spread ever so slightly.
   
4. Bake in the centre of the oven for 10-12 minutes or until pale golden-brown and firm. Cool on the baking tray for five minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.Leave cool completely.
   
5. Smother one biscuit with strawberry conserve and a generous dollop of the vanilla buttercream and sandwich together with another biscuit.

Hope everyone enjoys their pancake Tuesday!

Shirley x

P.s. Can you believe it's March already? Honestly where does time go?!