When I decided to go home for the weekend, I wanted to make something special for my Mum. For some reason Carrot Cake jumped out as the obvious choice. Having never made a Carrot Cake before I was excited about the challenge and wanted it to be outstanding. It took a while for me to pick the recipe I wanted to use but eventually settled on one and added a few of my own tweaks. Instead of one large sheet cake I wanted a towering layer cake, generously iced with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. The cake itself was moist and flavourful which balanced out the sweetness of the frosting. I like the 'naked' looking cakes so I left the sides bare, I only wish I had added more frosting to the top. I finished by decorating with Walnut halves and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Had I used Pecans in the recipe I would have decorated with them instead. I enjoyed a wedge of this scrummy cake with a cup of tea! I was really happy with how my carrot cake turned out and the feedback from my family made it extra special. I will definitely be making this again!
A few days ago, one of my friends and work colleagues asked me to make her mothers 50th Birthday Cake. This is the first time someone had commissioned me to bake a cake for them. I was truly honoured, if a little hesitant at first. With a simple request of a vanilla layer cake, filled with vanilla butter cream and raspberry jam, how could I say no?! I was informed that her mother like all things Scottish, so I finished the cake with fondant icing and added thistle flowers and a bow for decoration. I am really proud at how elegant the cake turned out to be. The cake gets collected later this evening so hopefully it goes down well.
Home made ice cream is the yummiest of all summer treats but unfortunately one of the rarest. When I was passed down an old ice cream maker from my boyfriend's Gran, I couldn't wait to give it a go. Having never made ice cream before I wanted to start with a classic custard base Vanilla Ice Cream and I wasn't disappointed. At one point I noticed my custard start to curdle but with a blend of milk and cornflour I managed to save the day. Once enough freezing time had passed I served up a generous scoop into a chocolate wafer cone, drizzled with syrup and topped with sprinkles. Irresistible!
Everyone knows that marshmallows are the classic component to a mug of hot chocolate or the perfect toasted, gooey treat to round off a barbecue in the summer months. So when I realised they could be made at home, it had to be done. The process was a bit messy but these are my pillow soft, fluffy, chewy, vanilla treats, and they were most definitely worth the effort.
Easter celebrations are never complete without enjoying a fine home cooked roast with the in laws. I chose to add to the selection of yummy desserts by bringing along some rich Chocolate Cupcakes with freshly made Vanilla Buttercream to get the perfect flavour balance. Aptly decorated with chocolate shavings and mini eggs. What’s not to love?
