Finished Cakes and Scones

Yesterday we went to a Jubilee Party held by our lovely neighbours, The Royals.

I made a Victoria Sponge based on a recipe found at http://mennonitegirlscancook.ca

1 cup all purpose flour

1.5 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter (I used salted but didn't add extra salt)

2 large eggs

1/4 cup milk (plus extra if needed)

1 teaspoon of vanilla essence

Bake at 350*F for 15 minutes or until cake tester is clear




The butter icing is just icing sugar sifted and soft butter with a few drops of vanilla. No weighing for this, I just add until I am happy.

With a generous layer of Strawberry Jam.

The sugarcraft queen was made using fondant, sugarcraft or rollable icing (whatever it is called where you are from). I have actually been asked to do a "how-to" so I will do this soon I promise.




The boys cake.......

....was made using half the ingredients above but a couple of spoons of cocoa powder. The butter icing on top was same as above but with a big chunk of chocolate melted in (it makes it fudge-like). Again the decorations they made were from sugarcraft/fondant etc.

The scones were English Scones, Blueberry Canadian Scones and Cranberry and Orange Canadian Scones.

Canadian Scones Recipe for the Blueberry ones. For the Cranberry and Orange, I used 1 cup dried cranberries (fresh would be better) and the grated rind of one orange plus a generous squeeze of half an orange.

The English ones were actually made by my Huffle but the Recipe we kind of made up, of our old English Recipe with a bit of Canadian. This is it.



450g all purposes flour

100 g salted butter

1/2 pint milk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

400*F 8-10 mins.




I would love to know if you use these recipes and how you got on.

Skunky, Scones and a Head

Yesterday I finished Smallest's sock monkey. He was made using a pair of old socks and looks old, worn, loved and really quite 'Skunky' whatever that means. This morning I handed him to Smallest who instantly smelt him! Anyone that knows my Smallest, knows that if he smells something, he loves it. It is what gets him to sleep (normally sniffing his elephant called 'Smelly').

 

The edges were quite frayed and it wasn't a neat sewing job, but I wanted him to look worn. These socks were originally Small's and then passed to Smallest, so they have had plenty of wear. That undeniable dirty heel that you can't ever get really clean.

I made it in two days. He loves it. Now I have to make one for Small. Thank goodness I only have two children and one husband.

Smallest helped me to make some Canadian Scones yesterday. I have had trouble baking since we came here. I blame the cooker (old, came with the house, only one cooking shelf, too hot), and the ingredients (no self raising flour here, need to use baking powder and baking soda, all purpose flour or cake and pastry flour). Anyway a lady at the Garden Centre where I work gave me this fool proof recipe.

4 cups flour (I used all purpose)

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

Mix it all up together.

Add 2 cups of buttermilk

1 cup fruit (I used blueberries)

Bake (I put them at the top) 400* for 12-15 mins.

They look like rock cakes but they do taste like scones. They are quite moist so you don't need butter or jam, especially with the blueberries in them.




I joined in with Annaboo's CAL (Crochet a long) to attempt to crochet a monkey, doll or cat. I chose a monkey - you can never have too many monkies in one house!!!!

Sorry Annaboo, I don't know why this picture is so small

She is blogging step by step instructions, which is great because I finally understand a pattern and she gives pictures to show you what it should look like. Fabulous. I started it Tuesday Evening and it didn't go well and then tried again the next day and it worked.

It isn't perfect. I didn't always have the correct number of stitches. The face is a bit wonky. But I kind of like him/her already. The kids have already asked me "who is that one for?". FOR ME, IT IS FOR ME!!!

There will be more of this CAL next week. How exciting. Maybe I will make a start on a doll while I am waiting. Or maybe I should get on with Small's sock monkey. or maybe I should finish my Granny Blanket, or perhaps I will try some more baking now I have some confidence back.

Afternoon Tea, Cinders?

Wednesday

I had a craving for scones, and what do you do when you crave something that you haven't got in the pantry? Well you make it of course. Yummy scrummy scones. Made in the food processor and not because I was being lazy but because the recipe actually told me to.

...... and just in case you wondered what they look like sandwiched with butter and jam........

Thursday

Made the base of the Cinderella cake so that I could spend the whole of Friday icing it. While I had all the ingredients out I thought it would be a nice surprise for Huffle if the kids made him a cake for his tea.



He was very happy with the pink sprinkles!!

Friday

Then Cinderella got dressed and went to the ball. It was my intention to show step by step photos but I kind of got carried away.

but here's my lovely mixer

here's my lovely silicone oven glove and cake tester



Her dress?

Ooh Cinders, put it away!

Ready for dancing

The cake has been delivered now. (I always take the legs off the dolls before I plunge them into The cakes and then leave the legs, dress, shoes etc with them for when the cake has been eaten, but this time I forgot the bits and bobs. I hope when they cut the cake and see she hasn't got legs that the poor birthday girl isn't traumatised). (when I mentioned to the birthday girl's mum I had forgotten the legs she said "of course she has legs, they are under her dress otherwise how would she dance?"). Good point.

Oh yes, while I was decorating Cinderella my mum was decorating mini cupcakes.

Chicken

Now I know I said no chickens for a while but I had to show you this cutie that Lulabelle made.  She asked me for the pattern and made it the very next day.  In fact I've just checked her blog and she has made another two already.  The chickens may take over the world!

Right, now the cakes are finished it's time to get on with those Minions.