Saturday, October 2, 2010

Double-Decker Chocolate Mud Cake

This weekend Dave and I are in Forster visiting his mother and step father, Pam & Hoffie.
We're supposed to be soaking up the sun and working on tanning our glowing white skin in preparation for summer, however it's been wet and windy so we're staying inside watching movies and COOKING.
We did venture out today for 9 holes of golf, however it really tested our relationship and probably won't do it again as we'll definitely strangle each other next time.
I strongly dislike golf. He's obsessed with it. Not a good combination. 
Below is a recipe from my favourite book, Bake.






Pam and Hoff

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Baked Sour Cream Cheesecake

Made for our beautiful friends, Elyse & Drew.
It went down a treat after an amazing dinner cooked by Drew and a tasty bottle of red...and white.

Nothing better than good food, good friends...and the football.





Saturday, September 18, 2010

Chocolate Ganache and Raspberry Cake

Here's to my Dad who I love very much.
Happy 63rd Birthday xxx







Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Vanilla Bean and Raspberry Swirl Friands

happy birthday ben!




For the recipe
- just get a basic plain cake mix.... and add the seeds of a vanilla bean..
- make a second batch and add lots of raspberries mashed up.
- Spoon vanilla mixture into pan...then swirl through a spoon full of the raspberry mix.
and Bob's your Uncle!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Lime, Coconut & Raspberry Cake

Having the amazing boy that I do, I'm constantly getting roses.... he spoils me rotten.
It seems such a waste to watch them die and drop petals everywhere before you throw them out.
 I saw this recipe in a magazine once which uses dried roses as the decoration. 
You can eat them as part of the cake...if you're weird.
(Note: the petals have to be frosted the day before and left out to dry overnight - It's not really the kind of cake you can just whip up).

I made it for my housemate Ami, so AMI YOU MUST EAT IT!








I can't actually tell you if it tastes any good, because I'm on a no sugar diet for the next 2 weeks.
and therefore you will need to assume it is amazing. The Lime is a giveaway anyway.
Can't go wrong with Lime!


Method...
THE DAY BEFORE - Find some roses (or ask your significant other for some). Dip them in egg white and dust with sugar. You can also frost the petals individually like I have. Leave overnight to dry.

- Preheat over to 180oC. Grease 22cm cake tin and line with baking paper.
- Combine 1 1/3 cups SR flour, 1/4 cup plain flour, 1/2 cup desiccated coconut, 2 tabs lime rind, 1/2 cup lime juice and 2 tsp vanilla in a bowl.
- Beat 180g butter and 1 cup sugar in a bowl until creamy. Add 4 eggs one at a time.
- Combine with flour mixture until smooth.
- Spoon into pan and cook for 50mins.
- Leave to cool and cut into three even layers.
- Beat 250g butter and 265g icing sugar together until creamy.
- Gradually beat in melted white chocolate (250g)
- Take one third of the icing and leave aside.
- Add 125g raspberries to remaining two thirds and beat until crushed.
- Place raspberry icing between bottom and middle layer, and also middle and top layer.
- Place reserved icing on top and decorate with frosted roses.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Chocolate Cuppies

I have to admit that I have an obsession with cupcake cases and wrappers.
I've recently found this website and I've been going nuts! As well as drooling over Robert Gordon's designs as well. I normally find cupcakes boring but a cute wrapper can somehow make them look adorable.
I made these last night for Nev & Shaz. My future in-laws.
(Reminder for Dave: Please don't forget to get them out of the back of your car...they...will...melt)


Here is Dave doing a sterling effort...just needed to clarify it was Dave before you started thinking my hands looked manly.
The red candy love hearts are from Robert's Confectionery. They have a stall at the Newcastle Markets every Sunday. They. taste. amazing.
Two cases per cupcake ensures no oil stains. I HATE OIL STAINS.



The recipe is just a basic chocolate fudge recipe, nothing fancy.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Black Forest Cake - Dave's Birthday

Well it came to my darling's 33rd birthday yesterday and yes, he requested the Black Forest Cake that I made way back here. It was a lot of fun to make...lots of chocolate, cream, cherries...and LEFTOVERS!! 

We had birthday dinner with some friends and finished it off with a generous piece of cake each! We are now extreme dieting and not eating for a week. I'm not even joking.

All in all, I think Dave had a wonderful day and here are some photos from the day.

The recipe can be found here. Give it a go!