Classic Valentines Cupcakes

I'm starting off this years Valentines bakes with the classic cupcake ~ I am the Cupcake Baker after all!

As it's Valentines day soon I thought I'd be really original ~ or not ~ and use Red Velvet. My last attempt to make my own Red Velvet didn't go very well as I couldn't get the bright red colour I was looking for, click here to check it out.

This time I decided to make it from a box (saves time) I used Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake Mix - Red Velvet

That bad boy rises!!! Thought I was gonna make a mess in my oven!!!

Also...I made the roses atop the cakes with sweets, I came across the idea by reading one of my favourite blogs Confessions of a Cookbook Queen to check out how she does it click here.

These are the tools I used and what I did...

1. Roll the Winders up until you get the size of rose you want, the wobblier the better.
2. Roll small, equal sizes of green Chewits into balls.
3. Shape balls into teardrops.
4. Press Teardrop from the tip to the rounded edge with the wider end of the modelling tool, pulling down slightly.
5. Gently scrape the leaf off your surface and place under the rose on either side. 

This is what you'll get...

I also tinted some Lemon Frosting pink (to match the Valentines theme) and piped a nice swirl.

ET VOILA ~ say hello to this pretty lady...

Until next time.

xx Kat xx

I've linked this recipe to the Valentines hoosierhomemade link party.

Also.....

I'm entering this beautiful dessert to Calendar Cakes as hosted by Dolly Bakes and Laura Loves Cakes this months it's all about love. Head on over to this months host Dolly Bakes and check it out.

My Favourite Bakes So Far....

As most of you know I had another bambini 3 months ago so now I have 3 children and no time! Life is hectic...and I'm slightly disorganised/lazy.

I know you've been neglected over the last few months so I've decided to make it up to you by giving you a peek at my 10 bestest bakes since I started my blog. YOU'RE WELCOME :-) 

Click on the pictures to go to get the recipes........

I made these for my beloved hubby for Val Day, he loves tasting my bakes...good job as there are lots of them. 

Another Hubby special...yes his name is Brad.

These are sooo cute, I made these tiny flowers while watching TV one night. It takes a long time but is really relaxing.

A Christmas special for my team at work, they tasted just like a Terry's Chocolate Orange!

These cakes were commissioned by a friend for her grandson's birthday, it was only my second time modelling fondant...can you tell?!

My first cake ball/truffle attempt. I surprised myself with how great these were!

Another cake for my work colleagues and another big hit!!

My dad gave me this cupcake mould for Xmas and so I made some tea cupcakes...made sense to me.

Cute cute cute!! I could eat these all day every day.

For my friends niece and my first go at using a finger surround. Very effective!

I hope you've enjoyed my round-up.

Until next time...

xx Kat xx

Killer Chocolate Cookies

Firstly let me apologise for the poor picture quality, my husband dropped my camera and now it won't turn on, so I had to take it on my webcam!! It's my birthday in 3 weeks, I'd better be getting something black and clicky! (take note hubby!!)

I've always wanted to be able to make those scrummy melt-in-the-mouth chocolate cookies they bake in the supermarkets. Now, thanks to a domestic goddess, I can!! WOO HOO!!

Recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson's "Totally Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies" click here for Nigella's recipe and instructions.

Ingredients

125g dark chocolate

150g plain flour
30g cocoa powder (sieved)
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
½ tsp salt
125g soft butter
45g Dark Brown soft sugar
80g white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 medium egg (cold from the fridge)
100g dark chocolate chips 
100g milk chocolate chips
100g white chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C/gas mark 3. 
2. Melt the dark chocolate either in the microwave or in a heatproof dish over a pan of simmering water.
3. Put the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a bowl.
4. Cream the butter and sugars in another bowl.  
5. Add the melted chocolate and mix together.
6. Beat in the vanilla extract and cold egg, and then mix in the dry ingredients. 
7. Finally stir in the chocolate morsels or chips.
8. Scoop out 12 equal-sized mounds ~ I used an ice-cream scoop as advised by Ms Lawson.
9. Place on a lined baking sheet about 6cm apart. DO NOT FLATTEN THEM.
10. Cook for 20-25 minutes, testing with a cake tester to make sure it comes out semi-clean and not wet with cake batter. If you pierce a chocolate chip, try again.
11. Leave to cool slightly on the baking sheet for 4-5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to harden as they cool.

These cookies are exactly what I've been aspiring to for years and now I have the know-how. I'm soo excited!!! So are the family.

I hope you enjoy these as much as we have. 

xx Kat xx

Just a Quickie

Hellooooo my chickens!!

I am very aware that I have been super slack with Cupcake Baker in the last few months, this is my new baby's fault...she is a needy girl :-)

My beautiful bundle was 3 months old 2 days ago and is a stunning. lovely, happy baby. I could burst with pride when I see my sons play with her a smother her in kisses and cuddles. 

I love making treats for special occasions and have missed photographing and posting many I've made for Halloween, Bonfire Night and even the big daddy, Christmas.

But, do not despair, I've got some things up my sleeve for Valentines Day (*coughs* my birthday) and Easter, plus random goodies throughout the year including the birthdays of my nearest and dearest. 

For now though I thought I'd give you a fab idea that I've come up with to save me time since I added another person to my family. 

CHEESECAKE...not just any cheesecake, a boxed cheesecake that you just put together and make any flavour you want. My favourite cheesecake mix is...

It's soooo easy to make, just follow the instructions, er, of course.

However, to flavour it, add a dessert spoon of whatever smooth jam you like to the milk. Mix it in with a hand mixer so you get it evenly dispersed (no-one wants to comp on a massive blob of jam). Then just add the cheese mix and prepare as per instructions.

I've used lemon curd, blackcurrant jam and raspberry jam, all of which turned out perfectly.

Brilliant time saver...I urge you to try this.

I'd love to see what you do with it  so send me your pics :-)

ENJOY

xx Kat xx