kwazy week

this is going to be one mad bad baking week. Thursday is a guest event at Focus, with a tie-in to A Passion For Life (nationwide) and I'm contributing. Saturday is a big Family Fun Day, and I'm baking for that too. And of course Sunday is Zack's 4th birthday party which I have promised myself I'll make spiderman cupcakes for.
I think I'll probably be all cupcaked out by next week, but it'll be fun. I picked up some glorious Wilton stuff while I was in the USA last week, so that'll steer me on my way, and i've just spotted a new buttercream recipe online which I'll have to try.

Take One - post decorating class

I've had an opportunity to test my newly acquired decorating skills and purchases. Rather than use the colouring paste, I used the liquid food colouring I've had for a few years. It is messy, and goes everywhere - stained my fingers, and more difficult to work through. I did use fondant for the flowers/ hearts, instead of the marzipan we had on the course. It behaves slightly differently. I thought Janine Rose's cupcake recipe was okay - not remarkable, not bad. I think I'll try another recipe I have from my Apple Press book of 500 Cupcakes & Muffins.

cup cake decorating evening

Tonight I'm heading out for an evening of Cupcake Decorating with the ladies at Emporium Tearooms. Can't wait. I'm also delighted to have discovered, after much searching, a company that produce these tiny little fondant icing cutters for making flowers, etc. They are Stephen Benison. Hurrah!
And just look at these people's amazing collection of cupcake cases. Awesome.

busy busy

Last weekend was Calvin's Dedication service. I made some wonderful vanilla cupcakes, and then topped them with Nigella's Blonde icing (creme fraiche & white chocolate). I stepped out and purchased a wonderful book on Canapes by Eric Treuille - made a great carrot and spring onion fritata with feta cheese & black olives, home-made blinis with creme fraiche and salmon roe (from the Japanese shop in N Finchley). I also was brave and made Nigella's scones with cream and raspberry conserve. I am usually terrified of scones as mine turn into hard little cakes in the oven, but these rose so nicely - Yum!
Tonight we had friends for dinner, and since I had heaps of ingredients left from last weekend, pulled out an old trusty friend - Jamie Oliver. Made two of his recipes this evening: wonderful lemon & lime cream tart (8 eggs), and his Fish Kedgeree. All delicious.