• baking

    Thomas the Tank Engine cupcakes

    I looked at my toddler the other day and realised he was dressed head to foot in Thomas clothes – hat, jumper, tshirt, shorts, socks <sigh>. I love him to bits but his Thomas obsession is everywhere! Fortunately for him we were sent some brilliant sugarettes from JustBake who sell all kinds of cupcake decorations, featuring the little blue engine and two of his friends to use at our next baking session. Hard to believe right now but last week it was raining so we got out the measuring bowl and got baking. We made some simple fairy cakes (using…

  • baking - reviews

    Home baking made easy

    As a home baker I love products which make it easy to whip up a batch of biscuits or cakes for the hungry hordes. I love the Dr Oetker range so was really pleased when they asked me to try out some of their latest products. We’re not usually a family who eats pudding but their chocolate brownie mix had a suggestion that it was perfect chopped up with ice cream. It was really easy to bake and everyone enjoyed it, especially the toddler who covered his with sprinkles. I also used some of their decorations to jazz up a…

  • baking - Halloween crafts - reviews

    Spooky cobweb cupcakes

    As regular readers will know I just love baking and try to bake something new every week. I was very excited when offered a new cupcake book to review. For the Love of Cupcakes by Ann Nicol is an illustrated book offering step-by-step instructions to show just how easy it is to make your own cute culinary creations that have become such a phenomenon! Read up on the essential equipment, ingredients, basic methods and recipes, and decorating tips, before choosing from the exciting range of inventive cupcake recipes, from dainty cakes such as Crystallised Violet Cupcakes or rich and indulgent…

  • blogging - Cath Kidston - Orla Kiely

    Googled!

    I couldn’t resist finding out how some people come across my blog and thought I’d join up with Kate’s latest Listography challenge – top 5 keyword searches on your blog. It’s not surprising given my interests that a lot of people find my blog by searching for variations of gingerbread house so after ignoring those my top 5 keyword searches are: 1. mint chocolate cupcakes – well I did make some rather delicious ones here 2. Cath Kidston cross stitch – despite owning all the Cath Kidston craft books I’ve made very little from them. This was my first, and…