6/14/2014

Simple Sugar Roses


These pretty roses can be used on cakes and cupcakes to give a romantic and sophisticated finish

  • Cooking Time Takes 1 hour per batch. no cook
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 40 roses and leaves
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    -

  • Protein

    -

  • Carbs

    -

  • Fat

    -

  • Saturates

    -

  • Fibre

    -

  • Sugar

    -

  • Salt

    -

Ingredients
  • edible food colouring paste (we used Claret and Party Green)
  • 200g ready-to-roll icing
  • a little solid vegetable fat, for rolling (see Know-how below)
  • edible lustre (we used a shimmery pink), optional
  • edible sparkles (we used bright pink), optional
Directions
  1. Start with the roses. Knead a little of the colouring paste into 150g of the icing until pale and even. Break into three balls, then add a little more colouring to two, giving three varying depths of colour. Keep under cling film. Rub a very thin layer of fat over a smooth work surface. Roll out one of the balls of icing thinly, about 1-2mm, then trim into a rectangle about 8 x 20cm. Cut off a 1cm strip of icing widthways, keeping the rest covered.
  2. Carefully roll the icing up and around itself. For a more realistic rose look, start rolling slightly skew-whiff so that the outside edge of the finished rose sticks out further than the middle. With about 2cm to go, start to guide the end of the icing down and under to make a neat rosebud. Pinch to shape, then cut or pinch off the bottom. Set aside for at least 1 hr until firm. Repeat with the rest of the icing.
  3. For the leaves, colour the remaining icing green. Pinch off small pea-size pieces, roll into balls, then flatten a little. Pinch one end to make a leaf shape. Leave to dry.
  4. Once the roses are dry and firm, dust a little lustre onto each rose using a paintbrush or your fingertip. Sprinkle with sparkles, if using. Position the roses onto the cupcakes in clusters of three, following with three leaves. You'll need 36 leaves and roses for 12 cakes.

Campfire Cupcakes


A make-ahead treat, these will take you back to toasting marshmallows around an open fire

  • Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
    Cook 20 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 12
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    233

  • Protein

    3g

  • Carbs

    25g

  • Fat

    14g

  • Saturates

    3g

  • Fibre

    1g

  • Sugar

    16g

  • Salt

    0.27g

Ingredients
  • 140g light muscovado sugar
  • 100g self-raising flour
  • 50g cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 3 eggs
  • 125ml vegetable oil
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 50g milk chocolate chips
  • 30g pack mini marshmallows
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Tip the sugar, flour, cocoa and baking powder into a large bowl. Whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil and milk, then stir together with the dry ingredients until well combined. Add the milk chocolate chips. Place cupcake cases into a 12-hole bun tin. Divide the mixture between the cases, then bake for 20 mins until risen and cooked through. You can now leave to cool and store for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
  2. Just before serving (either warm from the oven or cold), arrange marshmallows over the tops of the cakes. Heat grill to medium and pop the cakes under it for 30 secs, watching all the time, just until the marshmallows are lightly browned. Remove and eat straight away.

Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes


These bright and fun cupcakes are perfect for kids' parties

  • Cooking Time Prep 30 mins
    Cook 25 mins - 30 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 12
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    505

  • Protein

    59g

  • Carbs

    59g

  • Fat

    29g

  • Saturates

    17g

  • Fibre

    2g

  • Sugar

    44g

  • Salt

    0.51g

Ingredients
  • 200g butter
  • 200g plain chocolate, under 70% cocoa solids is fine
  • 200g light, soft brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 250g self-raising flour
  • Smarties, sweets and sprinkles, to decorate
  • For the icing
  • 200g plain chocolate
  • 100ml double cream, not fridge-cold
  • 50g icing sugar
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with cases. Gently melt the butter, chocolate, sugar and 100ml hot water together in a large saucepan, stirring occasionally, then set aside to cool a little while you weigh the other ingredients.
  2. Stir the eggs and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Put the flour into a large mixing bowl, then stir in the chocolate mixture until smooth. Spoon into cases until just over three-quarters full (you may have a little mixture leftover), then set aside for 5 mins before putting on a low shelf in the oven and baking for 20-22 mins. Leave to cool.
  3. For the icing, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Once melted, turn off the heat, stir in the double cream and sift in the icing sugar. When spreadable, top each cake with some and decorate with your favourite sprinkles and sweets.

Carrot & Cream Cheese Cupcakes


This crowd-pleasing recipe turns the ultimate afternoon-tea favourite into delightful cupcakes

  • Cooking Time Prep 30 mins
    Cook 22 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 12
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    442

  • Protein

    4g

  • Carbs

    38g

  • Fat

    32g

  • Saturates

    14g

  • Fibre

    2g

  • Sugar

    26g

  • Salt

    0.7g

Ingredients
  • 175g brown muscovado sugar
  • 100g wholemeal self-raising flour
  • 100g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 2 tsp mixed spice
  • zest 1 orange
  • 2 eggs
  • 150ml sunflower oil
  • 200g carrots, grated
  • orange coloured sprinkles, to decorate
  • For the icing
  • 100g butter, softened
  • 300g soft cheese
  • 100g icing sugar, sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with cases. In a large mixing bowl, mix the sugar, flours, bicarbonate of soda, mixed spice and orange zest. Whisk together the eggs and oil, then stir into the dry ingredients with the grated carrot. Divide the mixture between cases and bake for 20-22 mins until a skewer poked in comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack before icing.
  2. For the icing, beat the butter until really soft, then beat in the soft cheese, icing sugar and vanilla. Use a palette or cutlery knife to swirl the icing on top of the cakes, then sprinkle with decorations.

Pumpkin Passion Cupcakes


Use grated pumpkin or butternut squash for these gorgeous, spiced cupcakes

  • Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
    Cook 25 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 12
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    386

  • Protein

    4.3g

  • Carbs

    43g

  • Fat

    23g

  • Saturates

    7g

  • Fibre

    1g

  • Sugar

    30g

  • Salt

    0.45g

Ingredients
  • 175ml sunflower oil
  • 175g light muscovado sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 200g coarsely grated pumpkin or butternut squash flesh
  • 100g sultanas
  • grated zest 1 orange
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 200g self-raising flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • For the frosting
  • 200g tub full-fat cream cheese
  • 85g icing sugar
  • toasted chopped pecans to decorate (optional)
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper cases. Pour the oil into a large bowl and add the sugar, eggs and vanilla. Beat together, then add the grated pumpkin, sultanas and orange zest.
  2. Stir in the cinnamon, flour and bicarbonate of soda, the mixture will be quite wet. Spoon into the cases. Bake for 25 mins until firm and springy to the touch and a skewer inserted in the centre of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack. At this stage you can freeze the cakes for 4 months.
  3. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth then spread on top of the cupcakes. Leave plain or decorate with toasted pecans. Store in the fridge, but return to room temperature to serve for the best flavour and texture.

Black Velvet Baby Cakes


These gorgeous Guinness puds are an indulgent treat - and perfect for St Patrick's Day on 17 March

  • Cooking Time Prep 35 mins
    Cook 25 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 6
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    587

  • Protein

    5g

  • Carbs

    52g

  • Fat

    41g

  • Saturates

    21g

  • Fibre

    2g

  • Sugar

    36g

  • Salt

    0.59g

Ingredients
  • 100g softened butter, plus extra for greasing
  • 175g light brown soft sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 100g self-raising flour
  • 50g ground almonds
  • ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 5 tbsp cocoa, plus a little extra for decorating
  • 150ml Guinness
  • For the cream
  • 200ml double cream
  • 25g icing sugar
  • splash Champagne (optional)
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line the bases of 6 dariole moulds with baking parchment. Put the butter, sugar, egg, flour, ground almonds, bicarbonate, cocoa and Guinness in a mixing bowl. Beat together until lump-free. Divide between the tins then bake for 20-25 mins until risen and a skewer poked in comes out clean. Cool for 15 mins, then remove from tins and cool completely-the same way up they baked, don't turn upside-down.
  2. Whip cream with the icing sugar and splash of Champagne, if using, until thick. Spoon a dollop onto the top of each cake and dust with a touch of cocoa. Serve with glasses of Champagne or Black Velvets for pudding.

6/13/2014

Little Louise Cupcakes


These cupcakes bring sweet bursts of joy with every bite, perfect for a celebration or party

  • Cooking Time Prep 30 mins
    Cook 1 hr
  • Skill Level Moderately easy
  • Servings Makes 12
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    374

  • Protein

    6g

  • Carbs

    47g

  • Fat

    20g

  • Saturates

    12g

  • Fibre

    1g

  • Sugar

    36g

  • Salt

    0.44g

Ingredients
  • 175g butter, softened
  • 350g golden or white caster sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 5 eggs, 4 separated
  • 175g plain flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 150ml milk
  • 12 tsp raspberry jam - use a firm jam, we used Waitrose Essential Raspberry Jam
  • 85g desiccated coconut
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with cases. In a large mixing bowl beat together the butter, 175g of the sugar and the vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Beat in the whole egg, followed by the 4 yolks, before briefly beating in the flour, baking powder and milk until smooth. Divide two-thirds of the mix evenly between the cases, then top the centre of each with 1 tsp jam. Divide remaining cake mix over the top, using a wet finger to smooth it in place so no jam is visible. Bake for 18-22 mins until a skewer poked into the centre comes out clean. Wait until cool enough to handle, then transfer the cakes to a flat baking sheet.
  2. Lower oven to 110C/90C fan/gas ¼. Using a large, clean bowl, beat the 4 egg whites until stiff, then continue whisking while you gradually add the remaining 175g sugar. Beat until thick and shiny, then fold in the coconut and use spoonfuls of the mixture to top each cake. Bake for 30-35 mins until the outside of the meringue is crisp, then cool before serving.

Cherry & Coconut Florentines


Cute chewy bites. Make one giant version, then stamp out the star shapes - leaving lots of bits to nibble!

  • Cooking Time Prep 30 mins
    Cook 20 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 24
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    247

  • Protein

    2g

  • Carbs

    26g

  • Fat

    15g

  • Saturates

    9g

  • Fibre

    1g

  • Sugar

    25g

  • Salt

    0.15g

Ingredients
  • 140g light muscovado sugar
  • 100g clear honey
  • 200g salted butter
  • 100g desiccated coconut
  • 140g flaked almonds
  • 300g glacé cherries, sliced
  • 4 tbsp plain flour
  • 250g dark, milk or white chocolate, or a mix
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the sugar, honey and butter in a large pan and gently melt together. When all the sugar has dissolved stir in the coconut, flaked almonds, sliced cherries and flour.
  2. Line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper (about 40 x 30cm), and roughly spread the Florentine mixture out to a thin layer-don't worry if you have small gaps, it should melt together in the oven. Bake for 10-12 mins until a rich golden colour, then set aside to cool and firm up.
  3. Melt the chocolate(s) all in separate heatproof bowls over gently simmering water. Line a second large tray or board with greaseproof paper and carefully flip the cooled Florentine bake onto it. Peel off the greaseproof paper. Spread the melted chocolate over, if you're using a few types just leave a gap between each.
  4. Leave aside until set, then stamp out shapes using cookie star cutters-if the cutter is digging into your hands (as the Florentine mix may be a little hard), rest a small plate or pan on top of it and push down on this instead.

Orange Pumpkin Face Cookies


Great fun biscuits for trick or treaters - make a day or two ahead, then fill in before your spooky guests arrive

  • Cooking Time Takes 45-55 minutes, plus 1 hour chilling
  • Skill Level Moderately easy
  • Servings Makes 12
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    219

  • Protein

    2g

  • Carbs

    22g

  • Fat

    14g

  • Saturates

    9g

  • Fibre

    1g

  • Sugar

    10g

  • Salt

    0.25g

Ingredients
  • 140g butter, softened
  • 175g plain flour
  • 50g icing sugar
  • finely grated zest 1 medium orange
  • For the filling
  • 100g mascarpone
  • 1 tsp icing sugar
  • 25g plain chocolate (55% cocoa solids is fine), melted
  • For the glaze
  • 50g icing sugar
  • about 1 tbsp orange juice
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to fan 160C/ conventional 180C/gas 4. Put the butter in a bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. Add the flour, icing sugar and orange zest and beat together to make a softish dough. Knead into a ball and wrap in cling film. Chill for 1 hour.
  2. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 3mm. Cut 24 circles with a 7.5 cm round plain cutter. Put them on a couple of baking sheets.
  3. Using a small sharp knife, cut out Hallowe'en faces on 12 of the circles. Gather up the spare biscuit dough and press into pumpkin stem shapes, trimming with a sharp knife. Press to the top of each biscuit with a knife to join. Make lines on the face biscuits with the back of a roundbladed knife, to look like the markings on a pumpkin. Bake all the biscuits for about 15 minutes until pale golden. Leave to set for a while, then cool completely on a wire rack.
  4. Mix the glaze ingredients to make a smooth, runny icing, adding a bit more juice if needed, then set aside. For the filling, beat the mascarpone with the icing sugar, then stir in the cooled melted chocolate.
  5. Spread the filling over the cooled plain biscuits, then press the 'face' ones on top-do this just before you want to eat them, otherwise they go soft. Brush with the glaze, using a clean paint brush or pastry brush. Eat the same day.

Fruity Cookies


This easy yet delicious recipe was whipped up by the Year 7 pupils from the Priory School in Suffolk

  • Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
    Cook 25 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 20
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    236

  • Protein

    4g

  • Carbs

    30g

  • Fat

    12g

  • Saturates

    6g

  • Fibre

    2g

  • Sugar

    16g

  • Salt

    0.42g

Ingredients
  • 200g butter
  • 175g soft brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp thin-cut marmalade
  • 2 tsp ground mixed spice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 175g porridge oats
  • 200g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 175g dried fruits - try chopped glacé cherries, apricots and sultanas
  • 100g nuts, chopped (we used hazelnuts)
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix the marmalade with 2 tbsp boiling water. Stir into the creamed mix, then add the spices, oats, flour and baking powder. Mix in the fruit and nuts.
  2. Dust your hands and surface with flour and roll the dough into a long sausage shape. Cut into about 20 discs. Place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment, spaced out as they will spread. Bake for about 25 mins until golden brown.