Allyson's Dark Chocolate Tray Cake

Back in good ol' SA we have a supermarket chain called Pick'nPay. They have their own little cookery school - it's been going for some 20 years or more. Just like at Waitrose here, you can pick up a leaflet as you leave the store with some great recipes. Considering that these used to be photocopies, you'll have an idea of when last I took one. Today was our annual community Christmas day at church - when they throw the doors open to harrassed shoppers and exhausted parents - serve up lots of Xmas cheer, spicey apple drinks, and loads of home baking. I contributed with an all time CLASSIC which never fails : Allyson's Dark Chocolate Tray Cake. It's got lots of sugar, cocoa and buttermilk in it. And it is divine.
You bake it straight in a greased inch deep baking tray. You pour the icing on top (I did it while it was still warm). And it is moist and chocolatey and you can't go wrong. OK, I think I've sold it enough

Birthday Cup Cakes

Tomorrow is our godson, Alessio's, 3rd birthday. I'm making cupcakes. They don't need to be overkill as it's backup food and not the main feature. Looking forward to it though - wanting to be a wee bit creative. Will post creations, and comment on Sunday :)

Mary Berry's Carrot Cake - take II

I baked it again. Still struggled to get the icing smooth (lumps of butter were smaller but still evident). It really is a delicious cake, but because I make up the quantity to 1 1/2 times, it is large and needs to be "given away" (or else it'll end up on my fat booty). I took 3/4 of it to women's thursday Focus and one lady in particular (very svelte at that) had 2 1/2 slices ! She love it too.
That means that Charlotte was completely right in her estimation of the 'best cakes'. Thanks hun.

Mary Berry's Carrot Cake

Leanne, Anthony, Emma, Carol and Nicki came for tea on Monday with 5 little girls. We HAD to have cake. I've recently been asking the baking queen, Charlotte Gardner, for her all time favourites, and this is one of them. It's possibly the easiest cake I've made in ages and the only frustration is the baking time is 1 hour. It is delicious tho' and was devoured !
Yes, this is another one which will be reproduced soon.