Let the apples crumble.....



My favourite english dessert is the humble crumble, with whatever fruits that are in season.  Also if you have fruits that are a bit pass their best but still edible, a crumple is a good way to not waste them.


I used this classic recipe (http://www.traditionalenglishpuddings.co.uk/a2applecrumble.html), but I substitute 100g of the flour with porridge oats to give a more crunchy topping. I also grated half an inch of ginger into the apple mix to make it a more adult dessert.


I made this for a dinner party, but for dinner for 2 or 3 people, you can make them in individuals ramekins, just use half the amount of ingredients and chopped the apples into smaller pieces.


Cheat's Grand Chocolate Cake


I usually use fresh ingredients when I am baking, but sometimes if I want to make a cake quickly with the wow factors, they are a few products I can rely on. For a quick chocolate cake, you can't beat "Betty Crocker Super Moist Devil's Food Cake Mix" and "Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy Chocolate Fudge Frosting" for a rich but not too sweet moist chocolate cake.  You can use it to make cupcakes, sandwich cakes, of a big cake like what I have done!


You have to add 3 eggs (preferably free range) and 70ml oil in to the mix, make sure the mix is beat into a smooth mixture (3 mins using a electric mixer, 5 mins by hand).  Bake in a lined round cake tin in an 180 oven for 40mins or until a skewer you put in comes out try with no cake mix on it.


Now comes the fun bit!  Make sure the cake is completely cool before you start your decorating. First put some of the frosting on your cake board or plate, then put the cake on it upside down, because the bottom is flatter hence easier for decorating.  Spread icing generously on top and around the cake. Then surround the whole cakes with chocolate fingers.




What to put in the middle of the cake is up to you.  I love the combination of chocolate and berries. If you are crazy about chocolate, you can put chocolate truffles in the middle.  For children party, you can put chocolate animals and mini eggs for Easter.

Cupcakes for my valentine....

Unless you have been hibernating in your home the last month, you must have noticed that valentines day is coming up soon.  Every shops, restaurants and supermarkets are filled with special promotions.  However nothing beats something that you have made yourself to show that you care. As this valentines day falls on a monday, you have got the whole weekend to whip up something special!



Cupcakes are very fashionable nowadays and some posh cakes shops charge the earth for them. I don't really know why because they are really easy to make.  I made these with a banana base cupcakes following this recipe.


As for the icing the sky is the limit, I follow this recipe to make a cream cheese icing. Then separate them into two batches with one its natural cream colour and then other pink with adding pink colouring.


You can spoon your icing on for a retro feel, for a more polish looking try icing bag with nozzles. (This video is great if you are new to icing) Then add any decoration you like, my favourite are the silver sugar balls which made any cupcakes look more sophisticated.