Cakes and bakes

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Cakes and bakes

Flower Power

Our world has changed considerably over the past few months but I’m determined not to let the craziness of everything get to me. I found myself worrying about the daily release of coronavirus figures in the same way I used to wonder who was leaving the love island villa.

One good thing to come out of all this is how I’ve been able to explore what is right on my doorstep. I’ve lived in this area for almost ten years and, shamefully, only recently discovered the prettiest woods. They were a haven when we were only allowed an hour exercise a day. During these four-ish months, I’ve noticed just how much these little serene places change. When I first went to the woods, it was full of the prettiest bluebells. Within a week these had all but disappeared and given way to a new colours. And then as if by internet magic, my Instagram suggestions started highlighting cakes using real flowers. If I was planning a wedding, using real flowers on a cake would be a bit of a no brainer for me. With that in mind have a look at these floral beauties.

Instagram @cynthiairanidesign

Instagram @lottastorten

Instagram @conniecocukru

Instagram @blushingcook image by @jamesbrooksco

Cakes and bakes

Chocolate swirl cupcakes

This is the easiest recipe I make, a sponge mix with a dollop of chocolate spread, there’s not even a need to top them.

Ingredients
6oz gluten free self raising flour
1 tbsp xanthan gum
6oz golden caster sugar
6oz softened butter
3 eggs
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp vanilla extra
1 tbsp milk
Jar of chocolate spread

Preheat the oven to 150C and line a cupcake tin with 12 cases.

Put all of the ingredients in a food processor and mix until you have a well combined smooth mixture.

Spoon the mix into the cases, take a teaspoon and add chocolate spread on top of the mix, with a cocktail stick swirl the chocolate into the sponge mix.

Bake for about 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean

Cakes and bakes

Toffee apple cake with toffee sauce

This is real autumn comfort food for those dark, soggy days when even reaching for the remote control seems like too much effort. The caramel and honey in this cake gives that sweet toffee flavour, the apple adds enough moisture to stop the cake feeling too heavy. Serve with a dollop of toffee sauce, curl up in front of the tv and get all warm and cosy.

180g Gluten free self raising flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp ground cinnamon
175g unsalted butter at room temperature
130g soft, light brown sugar
1.5ml caramel flavouring
2 tbsp honey
2 medium apples peeled and grated
3 medium eggs beaten

Toffee sauce
50g soft light brown sugar
50g unsalted butter
70 ml double cream

Preheat the oven to 150C and line a 1Lb loaf tin.

Sift the flour, xanthan gum and cinnamon into a bowl and put to one side.

Cream together the butter and when it is light and fluffy stir in the caramel flavouring, honey and grated apples.

Fold a third of the flour mixture into the sugar and butter mix, add a third of the eggs and fold until well combined. Add another third of the flour mix, fold well and then add a third of the egg and fold. Do this until all the ingredients are well combined. Pour the mix into the loaf tin and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the sponge comes out clean.

The toffee sauce can either be made straight away and used when the cake is warm, or over the cooled cake. The sauce will keep in the fridge for 24 hours.

Add the sugar, butter and cream unto a pan and gently heat until the sugar dissolves. Pour the sauce over the cake and enjoy.

Cakes and bakes

Individual Chocolate Cake

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything with my favourite ingredient- chocolate, and I need to put this right. Don’t be fooled by the size of these cakes, they are full on chocolate and the whipped cream is the perfect indulgent companion. I’m not big on fiddly things, so this recipe is as simple as could be. It’s an all in one recipe and made in a large square cake pan, but the results look and taste gorgeous. This recipe makes 7 individual cakes.

Ingredients
6oz golden caster sugar
180g softened unsalted butter
6oz gluten free self raising flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
2oz cacao powder
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp milk

For the filling
250ml double cream

For the topping
150g milk chocolate

You’ll also need a large square baking tin, I used a 30cm x 30cm tin, along with a circular biscuit cookie, I used a 3cm diameter one.

Line the baking tin and preheat the oven to 150C.

I like the all in one method for sponge cakes, so in a food processor add all of the cake ingredients except the milk, and mix well until all the ingredients are well combined. If the mix is too firm add the milk.

Pour the mix into the tin and bake for about 30 minutes.

When a skewer in the middle of the sponge comes out clean, allow the cake to cool completely.

When cool cut out the rounds from the sponge.

Whip the cream and place a good dollop in between to pieces of sponge.

Break the chocolate into small pieces and melt on a bain marie. Drizzle the chocolate over the sponges and allow to cool.

Cakes and bakes

Parkin

It’s Bonfire night and so, as someone living in Yorkshire, it’s only right to feature Parkin. It’s as old as the hills and something that I’ve definitely appreciated more as an adult. Although you can eat parkin straight away, it’s firmer on the day of baking and by leaving for a good few days, the syrup and treacle soften the texture. If you like a really dark parkin, add more treacle and brown sugar. This is a gluten free version but impossible to tell the difference.

Ingredients
250g gluten free self raising flour
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground mixed spice
100g gluten free oats
200g unsalted butter
200g golden syrup
85g treacle
50g honey
80g light soft brown sugar
1 large egg
4 tbsp milk

Line a baking tin with greaseproof paper and pre heat the oven to 150C.

In a bowl mix the flour, xanthan gum, ginger, mixed spice and oats and set aside.

Put the butter, sugar, syrup, treacle and honey into a pan on a low heat. Gently heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved and the butter melted.

Break the egg into a separate bowl, add the milk and with a fork, mix well.

Pour the butter and syrup mixture into the flour and oat bowl and mix well. Finally stir in the egg and milk mixture and mix until well combined. Pour into your baking tin and bake for about 45 minutes.

Cut into squares and store into an airtight container for 4 or 5 days.

Cakes and bakes

Back to the old school

Do you remember fizz wiz, Wham bars and candy lipsticks? I still remember deliberating over what to put in my 20p mix up at the paper shop after school. This post combines my love of old school sweets and cakes. I used a caramel flavouring and golden caster sugar in the sponge for that toffee like flavour. The amount of caramel flavour varies depending on which you’re using, I used the one from Foodie Flavours. The retro sweets came from aquarterof.

Ingredients
6oz self raising gluten free flour
2 tsp xanthan gum
6oz softened unsalted butter
6oz of golden caster sugar
3 large eggs
1.25ml of caramel flavour
1 tbsp milk

for the buttercream icing
650g icing sugar
300g softened unsalted butter
2 tbsp milk

2 Caramac bars
Bag of white chocolate fish and chips or whatever retro sweets tickle your fancy.
Edible silver spray

Line a muffin tray with 10 cases and preheat the oven to 150C. Put the Caramac bars in the freezer.

I used the all in one method for the sponge, I added all of the ingredients except the milk into a food processor and mixed well, I added the tablespoon of milk at the end. Be careful not to over mix using this method.

Divide the cake mix between the cases and bake for about 15-20 minutes- until golden brown and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Allow to completely cool.

To make the buttercream icing, sieve the icing sugar into a bowl and add the softened butter mix well adding the milk if the buttercream is too firm. I can use the same amount of ingredients and the same method and each time the buttercream varies slightly, it’s worth having extra icing sugar and milk just in case. When you’re happy with the consistency, fill a piping bag and pipe onto the cooled cakes. Decide which cakes are going to be topped with which sweet.

Because I wanted to use white chocolate fish and chips, I sprayed those cakes with an edible silver spray to break them up a bit.

For the cakes topped with Caramac, take the bar out of the freezer, this makes it easier to break up into clean pieces.

Cakes and bakes

Caramel Cupcakes

I’ve been itching to make something with caramel for ages. I have a caramel flavouring but wanted to go the whole hog and make the caramel from scratch. In the past I have been put off making caramel because it just seemed a bit scary: making sure you get the temperature right; dusting the side of the pans; adding ingredients and ending up with a big mess. So I have attempted a really easy way and combined it with a basic sponge mix for the cupcake so that the flavour of the caramel doesn’t fight with anything. This recipe makes 12 cupcakes.

Ingredients

200g self raising gluten free flour
1 tablespoon xanthan gum
200g golden caster sugar
175g unsalted butter at room temperature
3 eggs beaten
1 tablespoon milk

For the caramel filling
200g white sugar
100mls double cream- you probably won’t use all of this.

For the topping
150g icing sugar
water
100g white sugar

Preheat the oven to 160C and line a cupcake tray with cases.

I prefer the all in one method for cupcakes, so add all the ingredients and mix until you get a smooth mix. Spread evenly between the cases and bake for approximately 20 minutes until golden brown.

Put the cakes aside to cool.

Cut a square of greaseproof paper and set aside. Take a pan and add 100g of white sugar onto a low heat. The sugar will go from sticky to forming small, pebbles to becoming liquid.

Once you have reached the liquid stage, take a spoon and dribble fine lines about 20 cm by 20cm of the caramel onto the greaseproof paper, keep doing this, criss-crossing to make a grid of caramel. Leave to cool for a good 20 minutes until it completely solidifies.

Place a clean pan with the 200g of white sugar on a low heat on a hob and like before, stir frequently until you get a liquid. When you have reached the liquid stage, turn off the heat and slowly add half a tablespoon of cream- the lactose in cream combines far better with the sugar than butter or even water. Stir gently; add more cream a tablespoon at a time until you reach a thick liquid mixture.

Pour a teaspoon of the caramel mixture onto each cupcake so that it soaks into the sponge.

Take the icing sugar and in a bowl add a spoonful of water before mixing well. Keep adding the water a little at a time until you get a thick, white icing. Top the cakes with the icing.

Break the solid caramel into small pieces, top each cake with a piece of the caramel.

Cakes and bakes

Carrot Cake

Somehow carrot cake makes me feel less guilty, I reason that perhaps I’m getting one of my five a day?? Either way, this recipe is really simple and makes a lovely, light cake.

Ingredients
400ml vegetable oil
400g gluten free plain flour
2 teaspoons xanthan gum
2 teaspoons gluten free bicarbonate of soda
450g golden caster sugar
5 medium eggs beaten
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 ½ tbsp. golden syrup
4 carrots grated

Preheat the oven to 160C and grease and line your tin, I used a square 20cm x 20cm.

Add the oil into a bowl and sift in the flour, xanthan gum and bicarb’ of soda, then add the remaining ingredients before stirring well. You should end up with quite a wet and thick mix.

Transfer to the tin and bake for about 40 mins or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.

You can top this cake with a buttercream or cream cheese topping, or I just mixed up some icing sugar and water to a thick-and-still-a-bit-runny consistency. If you want to freeze do so before adding any topping.

Cakes and bakes

Rainbow Cake

What’s better than a sponge cake? A sponge cake with all the colours of the rainbow!! Well 5 colours anyway. This cake takes a basic sponge mix and pimps it right up. It’s perfect when you want to keep things simple but make something a little bit different. This cake was made using the Wilton Easy layer cake pan set and the Wilton food colouring pack.

Ingredients
200g self raising gluten free flour
1 tablespoon xanthan gum
200g golden caster sugar
175g unsalted butter at room temperature
3 eggs beaten
1 tablespoon milk
5 food colourings

To decorate
300g softened unsalted butter
600g icing sugar
4 tablespoons of milk
food colourings in the colours of your choice

Grease the cake tins and preheat the oven to 150C.

I prefer the all in one method for sponges so I add all the ingredients into a food processor and mix until well combined.

Divide your mix into 5 bowls, in each bowl add a couple of drops of the colour you want for that layer. Mix well until the mix is a uniform colour.

Put the mix into the tin and bake for about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven when the cake starts to come away from the sides.

Allow to cool.

In the meantime, to make your buttercream icing, add the butter to a food processor and slowly add the icing sugar, after you have added about half the icing sugar, add half the milk. Continue adding the icing sugar and the milk.

I wanted an ombre effect on the cake, so divide your buttercream in half. One half will be for the filling and top, the other for the sides.

When the cake has cooled, spread butter cream throughout the layers and on top.

Add a couple of drops of food colouring to the remaining butter cream and mix well. Spread half of this mixture all around the sides of the cake. Add a couple more drops of food colouring to the remaining buttercream and spread half of this 2 thirds of the way up the cake.

With the remaining butter cream, add a further 1 or 2 drops of food colouring, mix well and spread across the bottom third of the cake.

Cakes and bakes

Thank You Cake

You can say thank you with flowers, or you can go that extra mile and bake something lovely. This little, sweat treat is big enough to show someone you care, but small and simple enough to make in no time at all. I made the flower shapes with a flower cutter, I’m not the neatest baker so this cutter was perfect and it came with three sizes so you can create any size of masterpiece.

I made this cake as an individual serving, having said that you could easily get two decent portions from this.

Ingredients
2 oz self raising flour
2 oz golden caster sugar

2oz unsalted butter, softened
1 medium egg
1 tbsp milk

11cm cake tin

For decorating
Butter icing
2oz unsalted butter
5oz icing sugar
1tbsp milk

250g ready to roll white icing
selection of ready to roll icing in colours for your flowers
flower cutters
Icing sugar for rolling
rolling pin

Preheat the oven to 150C and grease and line your tin.

Add all of the ingredients except the milk to a food processor and mix until well combined, if the mixture is a little tough add the milk.

Transfer to the baking tin and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Allow the cake to cool.

To make the butter icing, mix the butter until soft then slowly add the icing sugar. Finally add the milk and mix until well combined.

Keep a small quantity of butter icing to one side to attach the flowers.

Spread the butter icing over the cake and chill in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

Roll out the white icing so it’s big enough to cover the cake and be trimmed.

Using the cutters press flowers in different sizes and colours.

Cover the cake trying to get as smooth as possible, trim off the excess. Attach the flowers with the set aside butter icing.

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Cakes and bakes

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