Review | SugarFlair Food Colouring

Just a few weeks ago I went into my local cookery store in search of some new food colourings to use for a Rainbow Cake order that I had received, and I came across the SugarFlair brand. I had heard alot of good reviews for these all over Facebook and was keen to give them a try. 
 I was really drawn to them as I read many reviews saying they're of very high quality and are very pigmented. With all the previous food colouring I used, such as 'Dr. Oetker' colouring I found pigmentation was a serious issue as I was using them to colour large amounts of cake batter, I found myself using seriously large amounts of the colouring to achieve the colour I wanted. This caused problems as it led to my batter becoming bitter and affecting it's taste, so when I came across these SugarFlair ones in my local cookery shop I got slightly excited and ended up purchasing 5 different colours, Grape Violet, Baby Blue, Navy, Christmas Red and Holly Green (yes, I think they may have come from the Christmas range).

Although I felt they were slightly pricy at £2.80each I can assure you they are defiantly worth every penny. I was very eager to use them as soon as I arrived home and I can safely say I was not disappointed. As gel colourings they were extremely pigmented and I only had to use a very small amount to achieve the deepness in color I wanted. 
They come in a wide variety/range of colours and shades. I can safely say I will be purchasing many more of these SugarFlair food colourings very soon!

Rainbow Cake - Dr.Oetker Food Colourings!

Rainbow Cake - SugarFlair Food Colourings!

Review | Printed Roller

A couple of months ago I attended The Cake International event in Manchester. It was such an amazing experience, being surrounded by so many talented bakers and their delicious looking cakes/cupcakes! 
There were so many stalls selling all forms of baking equipment you could ever imagine (I felt like a child in a sweet shop). I had to hold myself back quiet a bit though as majority of the items were ridiculously priced and I just couldn't justify paying so much money for them. Although I did end up buying a few items that I absolutely adore.
I though I'd give a little review on the one of the few items that I bought - The Printed Roller! (just kinda made the name up, not really sure what it's called).
It's a plastic rolling pin with a beautiful pattern engraved into it and it's really simple to use. It can be use on either Royal Icing or Marzipan, that can then be shaped using a cookie cutter. They can be used to make beautiful Cupcake Toppers! 

At the stall they also had an edible shimmer spray in an aerosol can to spray on top of your printed Icing, to make the pattern stand out. At the time I didn't really think it was something I would get much use out of however now that i've started using the roller I think I will definitely be investing in some of the Shimmer Spray very soon :) 

Surprise Appearances!

Woke up this morning to find the beautiful sun decided to finally make an appearance, but that wasn't the only thing making a surprise appearance. I also woke up to find an adorable stray kitten (that I have now named CupCake) with tiger like stripes and big green eyes in my garden, as if that wasn't enough we were then joined by an absolutely gorgeous Peacock! The colour on his feathers were just beautiful...

 

My dad then decided that since it was such a beautiful day we should make the most of it and have a barbeque, so my mum began marinating the meat and preparing the food - Then the inevitable happened (yupp you guessed right) it began raining :( Instead of letting the rain ruin our plans we just adjusted them and turned it all into a mixed grill instead of a barbeque... and it was delicious. We had Grilled Chicken, Lamb Chops, Homemade Naan Bread (made by me!)

Then for dessert I made Jam and Coconut Squares - Delicate vanilla sponge squares, topped with Jam and Coconut!

I'm Back!

WOW! It's been a very long time since I last posted anything and i've been busy, I've had my first few cake and cupcake orders coming in. I've also had alot of studying to do, Especially now as I am in my final year at school.

Easter holidays, 2 weeks off from school :) Lots of baking going on. My Uncle came to stay over for a few nights and said he wanted to get into the kitchen and bake something. So I decided to start off simple by showing him how to make a Vanilla sponge and turn it into a fruity, creamy, custardy Trifle! As hard as it was for me to step back and let someone else into the kitchen it was good fun and the end result was deeliciouss!

Chocolate Mousse! xx

I made this Mousse for a SORTEDFOOD competition!

Check it out right here:
http://sortedfood.com/#!/search/mousse/

Lemon Meringue Pie... xx

A Recipe inspired by SORTEDFOOD! 

www.sortedfood.com

Creamy, Fruity Trifle... xx

My 'twist' on Trifle, Made with Fruit, Custard, Cream, Cake and Chocolate! :)

Mango and Fresh Cream Cake... xx

I made this cake when my family came round for dinner!

It was so popular that I made the same one again when my dad's friends came over!

Rainbow Layered Cake

I made this cake for one of my friends who is leaving to go and live in Canada!

End of Year Cake

I've had such an amazing year, made so many good friends. I can't believe it's already over, This cake was baked as a ThankYou to all my fellow class mates. 

I hope next year is just as eventful as this year was!

xxx

MotherKind Fundraiser

These cakes were baked to raise money for a charity that helps support pregnant Muslim mothers in 3rd world counries - MotherKind 

 Bring simple yet life saving interventions to new and expectant mothers in developing countries!

 

 http://muslimhands.org.uk/campaigns/2012/motherkind-maternal-health/

 

Jam and Cream Scones

Fresh Cream and Strawberry Cake

Cute CupCakes :)

I made these as a gift for my Aunty :)

Domino Cake

I made this cake for my brother who is Domino Mad!

 

Check out his youtube channel at - http://www.youtube.com/user/AadamsDominoez/videos

CupCakes

Jam and Coconut Slices

Coffee Cake

Rhubarb Crumble Cake

The Rhubarb was grown and picked from my very own garden :)

This cake was inspired by the SORTED crew -  www.sortedfood.com

Sport Relief Cake

Inside the Cake :)

I made this cake for my Dad's Sport Relief Bake Sale at work :)

Sugar-Free Cupcakes

I made these CupCakes for my Grandma who is Diabetic :)

Sugar-Free Cupcakes Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

125g Butter

125g Self raising Flour

2 eggs

10-15 Dates

1tsp Honey

2-3 Pieces of Crystallized Ginger
1tsp Ground Cinnamon

METHOD:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C or Gas mark 6. Mix the butter until smooth and pale.
2. Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl and gradually add to the butter. 
3. Slowly fold in the flour, then add all the remaining ingredients and mix.
4. Spoon the mixture into your cupcake cases and put into the oven for 15-20 mins. Until golden brown.

MAKES 12 CUPCAKES - GREAT FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES

Mini CupCakes

Butterfly CupCakes

CupCakes

Basic CupCake Recipe

      INGREDIENTS:

125g Self Raising Flour

125g Butter
125g Caster Sugar
2 Eggs
1tsp Vanilla Essence  

 

        METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to Gas 5 or 180°c 
2. Cream the butter and sugar together, until they form a pale smooth mixture.
3. Whisk the eggs and vanilla essence in a separate bowl - Then add them to the butter, a little at a time.
4. Fold the flour into the eggy butter mix - Making sure not to over mix.
5. Spoon the mixture into your cupcake cases and bake for 18-20 minutes, Until golden brown.

MAKES 12 CUPCAKES!

HAPPY BAKING

X X X

Banana and Chocolate Parcels :)

Bananas and Chocolate in Filo pastry served with double cream and drizzled chocolate :)