Classic Carrot Cake

One of my favourite cakes to make, just because it is yummy :) 

Ingredients 

butter for greasing
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
125 g / 4 ½ oz soft brown sugar
2 eggs
100 ml / 3 ½ fl oz sunflower oil
125 g / 4 ½ oz carrot, peeled and finely grated
25 g / 1 oz desiccated coconut
25g/ 1 oz walnuts chopped and walnut pieces to decorate
For the icing

50 g / 1 ¾ oz of butter, softened
50 g / 1 ¾ oz soft cheese
225 g / 8 oz icing sugar, sifted
1 tsp lemon juice
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180 oC/ 350 of/ Gas Mark 4. Lightly grease a 20-cm/8 inch square cake tin and line the base with baking paper

2. Sift the flour, salt and ground cinnamon into a large bowl and stir in the brown sugar. Add the eggs and oil to the dry ingredients and mix well

3. Stir in the grated carrot, desiccated coconut and chopped walnuts

4. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the preheated oven for 20 -25 minutes, or until just firm to touch. Leave in the tin to cool

5. Meanwhile, make the icing. In a bowl beat together the butter, soft cheese, icing sugar and lemon juice until fluffy and creamy

6. Turn the cake out of the tin and cut into slices. Spread with the icing and the decorate with walnut pieces.

Best way to start the day?

A humble bacon buttie and a cup of coffee

Shortcrust Pastry

so many recipes require pastry, there are pre made stuff out there but it is always good to know how to make your own. 

Ingrediants

• 125g Plain flour
• pinch of salt 
• 55g butter cubed
• 2-3 tbsp cold water

Method

• Put the flour, butter and salt into a bowl and combine ingrediants together with fingers. rub together until the mixture looks and resembles breadcrumbs. 
• slowly mix in some of the water to combine the mixture together .
• place mixture onto clean-film and place in the fridge for 15-30 minutes before using. 

recipes that include short crust pastry include things like Mississippi mud pie, apple pie and tarts. 

Pimms Jelly

this receipie is easy to make and fun to serve. its a winner all round be aware, this does contain alcohol

Serves 4 

Ingrediants

• 5 sheets of Gelatine 
• 3tbsp of cold water
• 2 cans of ready made Pimms and lemonade
•  100g Green Grapes (seedless)
• 1 Satsuma
• around 10 mint leaves 

Method 

• soak the gelatine in the water until the gelatine has softened, then pour the water and gelatine into a pan and heat slowly until the gelatine has dissolved, gently pour in the pre made Pimms and Lemonade and gently stir until the gelatine has completely dissolved. DO NOT LET THE MIXTURE BOIL AT ANY POINT OF THIS PROCESS.
• Divide the grapes equally between 4 glasses and gently pour over the pimms mix. cut the satusuma into 8 pieces (leaving the skin on) and add a slice or two to each glass along with a mint leaf or two. (You may need to scoop of some residue when the bubbles go down).
• leave to cool for 2-3 hours in the fridge. 

this recipe is best served on a summers day.  

Updating the cook books leaves me feeling hungry. it amazing to think 2 year ago my first book was preety empty, now i have 2 books pretty much full.

Chocolate diabetes on a plate cake

This cake is litteraly what the name calls it. Its fill of chocolate, calories and pure yummyness.

This is one of my favourite cakes to make and I am yet to meet someone who doesn't like it.

Ingredients - Cake 

• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 3 table spoons of boiling water 
• 225g (8oz) softened butter 
• 225g (8oz) Caster sugar
• 2 level teaspoons of baking powder

Method

• Pre heat the oven to 180oC/ Gas Mark 4/ Fan 160oC. Grease to baking tins (20cm 8inch preferred) and line with baking paper (tin foil can be used just be careful) 
• Mix together the cocoa powder and boiling water into the mixing bowl and stir until smooth, leave to cool slightly then measure and add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl. Gently stir all ingredients together for a minute or so then mix until mixture is smooth.
• Evenly spread the mixture into the two tins and place in the oven. Leave to bake for 22-26 minutes (or until well risen) Leave to cool for 5-10 minutes then empty tine on to a wire rack and leave to cool. Meanwhile proceed to make the icing  

Ingredients - Icing

• 120g of butter
• 2 ½ cups of icing sugar (sifted)
• ½ cup of cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup of milk

more icing may be needed depending on how generous you are with it 

Method

• Chop the butter, place it in a bowl and cream it, this can be done by using a spoon or a mixer.
• Add the cocoa and the icing sugar a little at a time and beat into the butter.
• Add the milk and mix until smooth and light. it should be a consistent colour. 

Building of the cake 

• 16 kit-kat sticks will be needed
• A big bag of chocolate buttons (optional)
• A big bag of M&M's or something colourful for the top (mini eggs suggested for Easter time) 

Wait until the sponge has cooled and then spread the icing over one of the cakes, at this point you can add chocolate buttons to ensure that the cake is chocolate heaven but this is optional. Place the other sponge on top of the iced sponge and spread icing all over the top and side of the cake. When the cake is completely covered in icing place the Kit kats evenly around the sides, if you want the cake completely surrounded by Kit kats you will need around 32 sticks. Once the Kit Kats have been placed around the cake place your chosen topping on top. 

Enjoy :) 

Easter Cake 

M&M topping 

No Kit Kats 

Chocolate Mug Cake

This recipe is so simple to do. really good for girls nights in or something for a quick and eassy dessert at a dinner party.

serves 1 

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons self rising flour
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons of chocolate spread (Nutella works best) 
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil (melted butter can also be used) 

      This recipe can be made without Nutella. I personally prefer it with. 

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug.
2. Whisk well with a fork until smooth.
3. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 – 3 minutes. 
4. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows and a little chocolate sauce.
5. Sit back and enjoy 

Hi

so here is my blog, it will be dedicated to food and cooking.

one day i would love to publish a cookbook but until then i plan on blogging about food instead.