St Patricks Day

Cant wait to make this for My Dads Birthday on St Patricks Day!
Found it on a lovely Baking Blog here: http://thegoddesskitchen.blogspot.com

Chocolate Guinness Cake

Makes 12 slices

Ingredients
For the cake
250ml Guinness
250g unsalted butter, cut into pieces
75g cocoa
400g caster sugar
142ml sour cream
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
275g plain flour
2 ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

For the topping
300g Philadelphia cream cheese
150g icing sugar
125ml double or whipping cream

Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/180˚C, butter and line a 23cm springform tin.
Start by pouring the Guinness into a large, wide saucepan and add the butter; heat until the butter's melted, at which time you should whisk in the cocoa and sugar. Beat the sour cream with eggs and vanilla and then pour in the pan of brown, buttery, beer and finally whisk in the four and bicarb.

Pour the cake batter into the prepared tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour. Leave to cool completely in the tin on a cooling rack, as it's quite a damp cake.

When the cake's cold, sit it on a flat platter or cake stand and get on with the icing. Lightly whip the cream cheese until smooth, sieve over the icing sugar and then beat them both together. Add the cream and beat again until it makes a spreadable consistency.

Ice the top of the black cake so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint. Sprinkle with shamrock sprinkles or green glitter or sugar (optional).

Baking mad!

Hi Everyone,
Has anyone been watching "Baking Made Easy" with Lorraine Pascale? Its a really great programme and the recipes are yummy. I bought the book and have so far made Cookies, Flapjacks and an awesome cake (see photos below). If you havent watched it yet I really recommend looking back on BBC Iplayer or it is on BBC2 on Mondays at 08.30pm.

http://www.lorrainepascale.com/

Here is ab adapted version of Lorraines "I cant believe you made that" cake. She uses Chocloate cigarelos but I couldnt get hold of any so used chocolate finger biscuits instead. She also uses Raspberrys on the top but my friend is a fruit hater so I used chocolate buttons. The cake was delicious and I never had so many compliments..................... ever!



Here is another of the Birthday cakes I made. I hired the 2 shaped tin and baked an ordinary Chocolate sponge. When it had cooled I iced it using buttercream with some yellow food colouring in. I then Iced the Mickey Mouse heads and piped red buttercream along the base. The writing could have been neater so thats something for me to work on.

Just wanted to pop on and wish you all a Very Happy New Year.

I am very busy with a few projects this week, mainly Pips 2 Birthday cakes for his parties (yes thats right, plural!) at the weekend. I am also making a really cute patchwork style owl. Will post some pictures if they turn out ok!

Doh!

So thanks to Dannie I realised I have actually got a whole year longer than I thought of my 101 in a 1001. Yes, yes I know a pretty major miscalculation but its been a tough year!! So I got thinking about an Edinburgh trip and I am looking into possibly going for my 30th Birthday next April. I have never been to Scotland so it would be really nice. I originally looked into taking Pip but I was disgusted to find they charge almost the same as an adult even though he will only just be 2! He also would need photo ID so I would need to get him a passport., I think I may be smiling nicely at Nanny to see if she will have him for a couple of days!

Sorry!!!!

Right first of all, I am very sorry for having been so lame at updating.

I got a bit disheartened as it seemed I had been so very unrealistic in what I could achieve.

I have been plodding through my list and have managed to tick off a few without really realising it. My reading of the 100 greatest books has proved to be too much of a challenge and I am pitifully behind with them.

I realise as well I hadnt factored in my finances (or lack of them!) when making my list. A few will just not be possible due to such limited funds, such as visiting Edinburgh, getting a fourth tattoo, buying another Tiffany piece and completing a Diploma course. At the end of the day I would rather only work part time and spend more time with my son than have more money for my my 101 things.

My end date is 11th Feb 2011 so I will aim for a final push. I definately plan on making another list, if nothing else it has made me consider my hopes, dreams and ambitions.

I am thinking... of lots, my head is a jumble

I am thankful for...having had 29 years with my lovely Grandad who passed away on 26th November

From the kitchen...home made Chilli Con Carne

I am wearing...Pyjamas & my dressing gown

I am creating... A patchwork owl for my Mum

I am going... To bed in a minute

I am reading... "Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone" by J K Rowling

I am hoping... For a special Christmas

I am hearing...My partner watching TV

Around the house... I have a new red rug that makes my home feel cosy

One of my favorite things... Is my new rug!!

A few plans for the rest of the week: My Grandads Funeral is tomorrow, followed by a church service on Wednesday. Friday is my work Christmas party.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...My special Grandad, taken last Christmas.

Race for Life

Hello Everyone

I havent been around for a while but Im still plodding along with my list. Last night I took part in the Race for Life. I did it with 20 friends from work and it was on the Silverstone race track. There were hundreds and hundreds of ladies taking part and there was just a sea of pink that snaked around the track. We were dressed in white Tshirts with our work logo on, pink cowboy hats and feather boas, all good fun!