Marbled With Love.

I want to take this time to ask one simple question first.
Just to give me some peace of mind, and to reassure myself that I am not actually an alien, or a Geordie Shore cast member, or something...
Did anyone else realise that the clocks went forward today?

I didn't. And it was a shock to the system.
There I was, snuggled like a little caterpillar in my bed. No rush.
10:30am... yeah. I still got time.
'JESS. NANA AND GRANFY ARE HERE!'
What the.. ?!!?!?!?!

Turns out. I hadn't changed my clock the night before. It was actually 11:30. And my fam had arrived in all their Easter-Egg-bearing glory, and I was still in my jammies...
Daylight savings. You rascal.

Despite that one (rather embarrassing) occasion... I like to think I'm kinda good at remembering things.
Like an elephant.
They have good memories, right? Yeah. I'm an elephant.

So when it comes to birthdays, I reckon I'm pretty much on that.
Okay, so remembering your friends' birthdays is a given. Yeah?
Well no. It's not.
There are people who check their facebooks. Just in case.
I know who you are.
And in a lot of cases, birthdays just kind of... come and go. People don't really want a fuss.
But I like love making a fuss. People secretly love being fussed about. They do.
And when I say 'people', I mean my friends.
My wonderful, crazy, cake-eating, instagram-loving friends.
We make a fuss of each other, even when we say 'ooh noo, it's just another birthday. Don't do anything special! It's not worth it.' - when really, we know we're going to be absolutely BOMBARDED with cake.
Because that's what we do on a birthday.. We bake and bake and bake, until there's cake on the floor, cake in our hands, cake round our mouths, and at least 50 new photos on everyone's instagram accounts.
I love it so much!

This latest Birthday Gift Extravaganza was for my really close friend, Sunny.
Let's talk about Sunny.
She's the kind of girl who can just do everything,
she can cook, bake, take a good photo, do maths...
And thanks to her, I've now found somewhere to buy pumpkin pie filling!
(Tesco have this new American grocery section which makes me so happy)

So what do you give a girl who does all that, for her birthday?

Well, you make a heart shaped marble cake,
put it on a miniature cake plate,
and wrap it in spotty cellophane with beautiful pink ribbon.
Duh!

Making a fuss is totally worth it. Especially when you get a smile at the end. :)
Oh.. and an instagram picture on Sunny's account.
If that's not appreciation. I don't know what is.


N.B - I'm just going to give you the recipe for a whole cake. Is that okay?
Cause of course, my heart-shaped tin was really small so I made cupcakes with the rest of my mixture.
Experiment with it!
Makes 1 Batch of Chocolate Chip and Vanilla Marble Cake Mixture
Ingredients
225g soft margarine
225g caster sugar
275g self-raising flour
2tsp baking powder
4eggs
2tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1 1/2 tbsp cocoa
2tbsp of hot water
50g plain chocolate chips

Method
Preheat the oven to 180 degress
Grease and line a 30x23cm cake tin
Measure the margarine, sugar, flour, baking powder, eggs, milk and vanilla essence into a large bowl and beat well until blended
Spoon half the mixture into the prepared tin, but blob the spoonfuls apart
In another bowl, blend the cocoa and hot water and add it to the remaining mixture with the chocolate chips
Spoon mixture in between the blobs of vanilla mixture to fill the gaps
Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean
leave to cool and enjoy!!

[recipe taken from Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book, cake tin from Kitchenmonger]

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Mini Chocolate Covered Doughnuts!

Okay, so as you've probably worked out so far... I am simple.

Wow. That was a rubbish start to a post.
I'm tired.

I'll start again...

AHEM.

Okay, so as you've probably worked out so far, I really like to appreciate the simple things. Or try to, at least. Like, the first sunny day of spring when you get that little bit of warmth on your back... or... oh! oh! When the leaves start to change colour in late September and there's the constant smell of bonfire in the air on a dry day... or - perhaps most importantly - when you get your monthly subscription of Cakes and Bakes in the post...
No? That just me?

Well, anyway, you get the picture. In my book, simplicity even beats honesty when it comes to the best policy. Hands down. No doubt about it.
Some may call it laziness. But I reckon that's pretty pessimistic. I like to think of it as my 'why-make-more-work-for-yourself-when-the-simple-things-make-you-just-as-happy' philosophy. Unless English Coursework Planning is involved. In which case...
Well, let's just say I'd make a whole other post for it. If I was that way inclined.

Anyway, I digress, (I'm being awfully waffle-y today, aren't I? It's in ma blooooood, I guess. I take English, remember? You were warned.    -  mmmmm... waffles.)

And as you've probably realised, dear readers, my baking is all about ease, rest, and relaxation.
Nothing fancy. Nothing frilly. No mindbogglingly fantastical piped décor or crazy ingredients that you'll use once and once only - Himalayan Pink Salt. Seriously?

For me (and hopefully for all of you too) baking is a leisure, not a chore. And after a slight disaster in the form of a way-too-gooey brownie bake yesterday - it just fell apart. Everywhere. - I decided to get back in the kitchen this evening, and ensure that I have something to take into school for my tribe of friends tomorrow.
That's another thing. Never give up on your baking abilities. Mistakes happen to everyone. Even to a wannabe Mary Berry like me!

SO, EVERYONE. May I present to you my 'Chocolate Covered Doughnuts'! One of the most simple things I have EVER made. IN MY LIFE.
You're gonna love it.

And just an N.B. for all you savvy bakeware shoppers out there who, like me, just want a tin for every cake/biscuit shape ever created in the history of time - don't fear my amigos! The dream isn't unreachable! For I have found something beautiful.
My mini doughnut tin! It's seriously my favourite piece of bakeware. Along with my baguette holder... and my battenberg tin... and that totally tiny, but totally cute heart shaped cake tin I bought at the weekend...

You can find it (and so many other lovely things) right here.

Oh my word, I'm in heaven. Would you just look at the sheen on those!?
Total Monday-night perfection.

What did I tell you? Simplicity is great.
No. It's better than great.
It's one thought, one conception and one purpose.

Mission accomplished? I think so.

Thank you all for dropping by to take a look into the ramblings of my food-filled brain!
I'm so, so grateful.
Always am, always will be. x

Makes 24 Boootiful Doughnuts
Ingredients - no crazy-bean salt. Pinky promise.
225g plain flour
1tsp vanilla extract
175g caster sugar
1tbsp butter, melted
2tsp baking powder
175ml milk (whole milk is best, none of that skimmed nonsense)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2tsp salt
100g plain chocolate

Method
Preheat the oven to 160 degrees
Grease the tine slightly
Put all the ingredients and mix together thoroughly until well combined
Pour the mixture into your tin, about 3/4 full
Bake in the centre of your oven for about 15 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean
Leave to cool, then melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water.
Dunk your doughnuts head first into the chocolate to coat the top, then leave to set

Hope you enjoy!
It's definitely the little things that count.

P.S. The link to the tin product is non-sponsored. I just love it so much. xx

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The 'Meltiest' Melting Moments with White Chocolate Buttercream!

So...
I had a dilemma yesterday.
Yes. A dilemma. A big, fat one. One that could've destroyed the very fabric of the space time continuum and shroud the world in darkness forever.

Okay. I totally over-exaggerated on the last one.
BUT HEY, DATS ME. If there was a Queen of hyperboleland. That would be moi.
And I'd have a massive tiara... And all the Louboutins I could want... Ever...

AHEM.
This dilemma doesn't sound so bad now, does it?
Well it was. And it was this...
Cast your minds back to Saturday morning. What were you doing?
Something exciting, I'll bet.
Me? Not so much. I'd been suffering from a STUPID COLD. So I slept in... like, really, really in.
I practically BECAME my bed.

So, to cut a long story short. I missed my Saturday morning gym session.
I slept through my spinning class and everything.
Runny noses ruin lives.
Which left me with said 'dilemma'...

Do I make up for lost time and go for a cycle in the only good weather we've had for months?
Or do I stay in and bake away my sorrows until the boyfriend arrives?

I think we all know what I did.
But hey, you can't blame me for it.
If I didn't do what I did, I wouldn't be here doing what I do now. Comprende?
I JUST LOVE BAKING.

Looking back on it. My dilemma was a bit wubbish.
It was a win win really wasn't it?
I love it when life is like that.

So here's what I made!
Simple. Delish. Melty. Yum.

And with my brother home from his hectic life in London, it was kind of an unwritten rule that I make something that uses insane amounts of buttery goodness.

Aaaaand then Harry arrived and got his mitts on them..
"STOP!" I was yelling, "THEY'RE NOT SANDWICHED YET!"
Boys...

TAH DAH! Oh, look at Harry and Mumma in the background.
Out-of-focus and mesmerized beyond belief.

Don't they look adorable! Expertly sandwiched by Harry.
Oh gawwd... I want another one...
But I'll refrain, and save them for you - (and Joe, and Harry, and Dad, and Mum.)

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend! Without any earth-shattering dilemmas.

Ingredients
For the biscuits
250g unsalted butter, softened
60g caster sugar
225g plain flour
85g cornflour

For the White Chocolate Buttercream
60g unsalted butter
125g icing sugar, sifted
50g white chocolate

Methods
Preheat the oven to 170 degrees and line two large baking trays with baking paper.
Cream the butter and sugar together until creamy.
Sift together the flour and cornflour, then add this to the mixture and beat well.
Using floured hands, take tablespoons of the mixture (it's a kind of doughy consistency) and roll into balls.
Put them on the baking sheet and flatten slightly with a floured fork.
Baking in the oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the biscuits start to turn golden.
Leave to cool on a wire rack.
While they're cooling, make your buttercream!
Beat the butter and sugar until completely smooth.
Melt the white chocolate and add this to the mixture, tablespoon by tablespoon and beat well after each addition until your buttercream is the right consistency to be spread.
Sandwich Time!
I found the best way to do this, was to pair up your biscuits beforehand (I got Harry to do that for me - it's nice having a slave) so you're not scrabbling around to find biscuits of similar sizes while your icing is starting to dry - we hate unnecessary stress!
Scoop a generous tablespoon of your delish buttercream and plop it on one biccy, and put the other on top, moving it in a circular motion to warm the icing and flatten it.

LET'S EAT.

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Chocolate and Vanilla Pinwheel Biscuits

Okay, so as you all know from my previous post, it's all going on down here in Somerset! The snow has arrived, and although it only fell for one day and has started to thaw today *sad face* everyone is still on a hype about it. And quite rightly so! We're desperately deprived of sledging antics in this part of the world...
However, although I love watching the snow fall and going for walks across the hills, I'm not really one for getting cold. Call me a scrooge if you like, I just have rubbish circulation in my hands and feet. :)
So, instead of trudging up the Knoll with a sledge that's inevitably going to break anyway, I did something MUCH more productive with my time yesterday.
Yep, you guessed it. I baked!
But I wasn't craving cake, or muffins, or anything like that... so instead I sifted through my Mary Berry's ultimate cake book and found these little gems!

PINWHEEL BISCUITS! Aren't they just the cutest?

And yes, I did go a bit crazy and run into the snow with my slippers on... just to get some nice pictures.

Being quite crumbly, they're surprisingly perfect for dunking!! Especially in a steaming hot mug of coffee. Sat inside while the snow falls. Watching a film... no prizes for guessing what I spent my day doing yesterday. ;)

Makes about 20 biscuits
Ingredients

Vanilla Biscuit Mixture
50g hard margarine - softened
25g caster sugar
25g cornflour
50g plain flour
a few drops of vanilla extract

Chocolate Biscuit Mixture
50g hard margarine - softened
25g caster sugar
25 cornflour
40g plain flour
15 cocoa

Method
Lightly grease 2 baking trays.
Measure all the ingredients for the Vanilla Biscuit Mixture into a bowl an mix until combined and it forms a dough.
Knead slightly.
Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30mins.
Make the Chocolate Biscuit Mixture in the same way, also wrap and chill the dough.
On a floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into 2 oblongs 25x18cm (10x7in).
Place the vanilla dough on top of the chocolate dough and roll the two together from the longer edge .
Wrap in cling film and chill for a further 30 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees.
Cut the roll into 20 slices with a sharp knife and place on the baking trays.
Bake for 20 minutes until the vanilla biscuit is golden in colour.
Lift onto a wire rack. Leave to cool.
Then enjoy!!

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