These simple Candy Cane Cupcakes are a real showstopper.  Once again I have used my ‘Very Vanilla Cupcakes’ recipe (posted 25.05.17) for the sponge cakes and I’ve topped them with peppermint frosting. To make enough frosting to decorate 12 cupcakes, combine 50g unsalted butter, 100g full fat cream cheese, 300g icing sugar and 1 tsp
Read more

Yet again my vanilla cupcakes prove very versatile!  To make a simple ‘Grinch’ cupcake, add green food gel (I used ‘AmeriColor Electric Green’) to the frosting and use a Wilton 1A piping nozzle to give a swirly effect.  Top with the Grinch’s tiny (sugar paste) heart!  Perfect for any fans of the Grinch 🙂 ***Recipe
Read more

In past times people would sip their gins hot to keep the chill away. Sipsmith have revisited this old tradition, to give a tasty alternative to mulled wine. To create this hot, fruity winter treat, mix 50ml of Sipsmith Gin with 25ml of tonic syrup. Stir well, top up with hot water and garnish with
Read more

One of my favourite recipes this year was my “Easter Rocky Road’!  It was extremely moreish!  I’ve tweaked the recipe slightly, by swopping rich tea for ginger biscuits and the mini eggs for Christmas M&Ms and Maltesers Reindeer, to give it a festive twist! Ingredients 200g dark chocolate 200g milk chocolate 50g butter 1 tbsp
Read more

Gin has certainly been a big trend in 2018.  I, myself, have gone from a novice gin drinker to the owner of 70+ bottles!  As Christmas approaches there are lots of gift ideas for the gin lover….. hint hint! Is there any better way to start the month of December then with a gin advent
Read more

With some green food colouring gel, sparkly sugar paste stars and edible metallic pearls you can transform basic vanilla cupcakes into mini Christmas trees!   Firstly make a batch of my ‘Very Vanilla Cupcakes’ (recipe posted 25/05/17).  Colour the frosting with green food gel (I use Wilton ‘Leaf Green’).  Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes,
Read more

This is an alternative to Mulled Wine and is perfect for Gin lovers over the Festive period! Ingredients Cloudy Apple Juice Assorted Spices (cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, cardamon pods) Vanilla Pod (cut down the middle) 50ml Sloe Gin (per glass) A cinnamon stick (per glass) An orange slice (per glass) Instructions: Add the assorted
Read more

Today is my Mother’s 70th birthday!  Happy Birthday Mam!  To mark this milestone she requested a chocolate explosion cake, and I was happy to oblige!  So here’s the recipe…..  It’s fairly straightforward to make.  My cake decorating skills are far from brilliant but I was pleased with the finished article!  If I can do it,
Read more

I am so excited for tonight’s episode of the Great British Bake Off!  It’s Scandinavian Baking week and I love all things Scandi, especially Cinnamon Buns!  Cinnamon Buns or Rolls exist in many forms, from the cream cheese icing topped American version, to the flaky pastry version you find in many bakeries, to my favourite…..
Read more

Sometimes even a coffee snob craves a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte!  So I’ve done a bit of research and come up with a recipe to create a homemade version of the drink. Ingredients: 200ml milk (whole milk is best for a creamier texture but low fat or dairy alternatives can be used) 1 tbsp brown
Read more