As well as my normal home baking recently there has been a lot of cake:
Here are some of the things I have made so far on the run up to the Easter break. None of the traditional simnel cake or hot cross buns from me due to my dislike of orange peel and marzipan.
This Espresso and choc chip shortbread that I spotted on ‘Use Real Butter‘ via FoodGawker is delicious, the recipe for these is here. I won’t retype it as Jen does a fabulous job of describing the process.
For UK readers if you want to try the recipe use icing sugar where it states confectioners sugar, and medium resealable sandwich bags are about the right size. Oh, and I couldn’t find espresso powder so used coffee granules, use slightly less than a tablespoon.
And then I did this lot for the School Spring Fair. The ubiquitous Easter nests, that I make with melted Mars bars and a bit of syrup and butter then mix with crushed Shredded Wheat.
Girly cupcakes:
…and chocolate ones too:
I will write about the cake pops in the next day or two as they are so cute they deserve a post of their own!
I have just noticed that people are Google searching for recipes for these so you can find my orange cupcake recipe here.
For the basic buns above I just whisk up 125g sugar and 125g butter until light. Then I add 2 eggs, 125g flour and a dash of vanilla and 2 tblsp of milk and whisk the bejesus out of it. Then bake for 15 minutes in 12 cupcake cases at 180 degrees. For chocolate flavour ones I add 2 oz of cocoa and a bit less flour. (For Ed I sprinkle in some sultanas and cherries) The buttercream for the topping is 4oz butter, 8oz icing sugar and whisk lots and perhaps add a dash of milk to slacken it plus some flavouring or some cocoa.
Jules
March 31, 2010
Fantastic batch of baking there. I haven’t thought about making Easter nests with Mars bars. I’m looking forward to seeing the cake pops.
thingswemake
March 31, 2010
Melted Mars Bars = Good, just don’t let it boil or you break your teeth. Note how only one of the cakes is piped, I still only have disposable piping bags and I had a blow out, so had to resort to spatulation!
Kavey
March 31, 2010
All looks great, love look of the espresso choc chip recipe!
anabela pereira
March 31, 2010
the look is delicious yummm yummmm regds
Sally
April 1, 2010
What absolutely beautiful images. Have to make a volume of cupcakes for a charity coffee morning next month and I’m particularly inspired by the shades of violet.
thingswemake
April 1, 2010
Thanks everyone!
kathy
April 2, 2010
Lots and lots of goodies! Loved it! I’d like to try Espresso and choc chip shortbread. It looks yumm. 🙂
Sarah, Maison Cupcake
April 3, 2010
My, you’ve been busy. I love the look of that shortbread.
Debbie Gauldin
February 19, 2013
Love everything, I don’t know what to make first they all look so yummy!
Susan
March 20, 2013
What kind of syrup do you use in your Easter nest and how much butter?
thingswemake.co.uk
March 20, 2013
Hi Susan, I use about 4 Mars bars and 2 tbsp/ounces of Golden Syrup and 3 tbsp/ounces of butter but it’s not a precise science. Don’t let it boil or it turns to toffee.