Making my own Christmas Cake

This year I decided to start a few new traditions and making a Christmas cake was one of them. At the end of November I told you about the start of the cake making process. I used Delia Smith's Classic Christmas Cake recipe found in one of my Mum's Delia cook books and also online at Delia Online.

I soaked the fruit for a few days in brandy and then made the cake, following Delia's instructions of lining the cake tin correctly and protecting the cake with brown paper. I decided to make the cake on a Monday evening and didn't realise how long it would take to prepare each step, especially the lining of the tin! With four hours cooking time let's just say it was a late night to bed that evening!

But the late night was worth it as this is what came out of the oven. The smell of Christmas!

The cake was then left in its baking parchment and wrapped up carefully in foil for a few weeks. Only being opened to feed the cake each week with brandy and then a little fresh orange juice at the end.

On Friday I unwrapped the cake for the big reveal. During the weeks previously I had collected together everything I needed to finish and ice the cake.

I decided that I wanted to ice the cake using Royal icing on top of a very thin layer of marzipan. To help me I followed this decorate a Christmas cake with royal icing how to video from Waitrose to see how to do it.

After leaving the icing to set a little I sprinkled the cake with pearly hundreds and thousands and some edible silver stardust. I was thinking about adding some silver balls but decided to leave it as it was.

I wanted the top of the cake to look a bit like little snow drifts...

I love how the stardust brings the cake to life, it looks just like twinkling snow!

I then added a thick ribbon I found in a local craft shop to surround the cake to give it more of a Christmassy feel.

I'm looking forward to testing out the cake and tucking in! This is definitely a tradition I want to keep going and perfecting for years to come. Let's hope it tastes good!

Making a Christmas Cake

This year I have decided to start a few new December traditions. I will tell you more about these in December but I wanted to share with you my first new tradition a little early so that you may join in on the fun too!

For very many years I have wanted to make my own Christmas Cake. Mr C doesn't like fruit cake so I have been reluctant to put the effort in. However this year I really wanted to try making one as a new tradition. I wanted something I could enjoy over a cup of tea and when my friends come to visit. I know I should have made this about a month ago, but things have been busy and suddenly the end of November has crept up on me!

After a lot of research of Christmas cake recipes I decided to use Delia Smith's Classic Christmas Cake recipe which you can find on Delia Online. This is the same recipe as the Traditional Christmas Cake recipe in Delia's Book of Cakes (1988). I have grown up with Delia and have always had good results with her recipes. I thought I should use this for my first Christmas cake and then maybe try a different recipe next year.

This week I started the first stage of making the Christmas cake, the overnight soaking of the ingredients in brandy. I've added the currants, sultanas, raisins, glacé cherries and mixed candied peel to my big Mason Pearson mixing bowl and poured over the brandy. I gave it a little stir and covered it. I'm going to give it a little stir each day to ensure the brandy is evenly absorbed. I'm planning to make the Christmas Cake this weekend so the ingredients have a few days to really absorb the alcohol.

I'm hoping that with a few weeks left before Christmas I can keep the cake moist by adding extra liquid and have a little time to plan how I'm going to ice it!

If you fancy starting a new tradition this Christmas a home made Christmas cake could be a great project to try.

A fabulous day of baking :: Bake With Maria…well, with Marianne!

On Saturday I spent the day baking. Taking time out to bake is something that I rarely do at the moment and I didn't realise how much I missed it until this weekend. I used to really love baking. I’ve baked Victoria sponges, scones, cupcakes, muffins, cookies, shortbread and loaf cakes in the past but have got out of the habit of making time to bake. I started to grow despondent following a few baking disasters with a particularly fierce oven, and always ended up making things in a rush. However attending a course this weekend changed how I want to experience baking moving forwards. The passion I have for baking was sparked again by a really fantastic class I attended. The process of combining simple ingredients to create delightful cakes on Saturday brightened up the cloudy October day, and was the turning point I needed to get inspired to pick up a whisk again.

I was very lucky to be treated to a day of baking at the Bake With Maria baking school, thanks to Mr C’s sister and brother-in-law. The weekend started with an early morning train journey from Bristol to London. Armed with a latte and the November copy of Red magazine, I set off feeling really excited and ready to learn. Until recently I had never been on a sewing class, and a baking class was equally as new to me. I learnt to bake watching and learning from my very talented mum, watching Delia and Nigella on TV, and reading copious baking books and trying a few things out. Looking back at the home economics lessons I had at school I realised I was never really properly taught the basics, but this class filled the essential gaps in my knowledge.

Mr C’s sister, Rachael, and I met up and headed to The Baking Lab in Swiss Cottage, London for the class. We arrived at The Baking Lab and had tea and delicious biscuits to fuel the morning of baking and learning. The class we attended was the Cake Baking Masterclass led by the extremely knowledgeable and super talented pastry chef Marianne Stewart (@MarianneBakes). The course was 5.5 hours long and we baked three different cakes, firstly a Moelleux au Chocolat (Chocolate Torte), then 12 Mini Carrot Cakes with a cream cheese frosting and candied carrot strips to decorate, and finally a lemon drizzle cake.

We watched Marianne skilfully demonstrate her recipes with a full how-to demonstration per cake. We learnt about the basic techniques used within each recipe, what each stage of the baking process should look like, and general tips in relation to baking skills to use during each recipe. There were practical skills too, so how to zest lemons, tips including wrapping cling film round your mixer while making icing so you don’t have a kitchen covered in white dust, and recommendations on equipment to use. After we were shown how to make the cake step by step, we then had a go ourselves following the helpful and detailed recipe handout.

Half way through we had a break for a very delicious lunch prepared by Marta, The Baking Lab Manager, and sat chatting sharing baking stories.

Our group of 8 who were taking the course were lovely and we all were quite candid about our baking disasters and level of skills! We had the opportunity to ask lots of baking questions and each were answered. We learnt things about why a cake mixture behaves the way it does, so I now understand why some cakes rise like volcanoes and why we experience problems with paper cases sticking or falling off! Both things I've experienced. I felt I learnt more in 5.5 hours of baking than in all my years of baking so far.

The day was truly fabulous and the course really surpassed expectations. What was unique was that each recipe involved different techniques, volumes and types of ingredients that were different than the ‘standard’ recipes. During the class we used good quality equipment, the highlight for me was having the chance to use a Kitchen Aid mixer. I was in heaven and I felt like I was on the Great British Bake Off! Unfortunately our kitchen at home wouldn't fit a Kitchen Aid mixer. Even if we had space I'd never make a decision about the colour I’d want!

At the end of the class we got to take home our creations in cake boxes that were supplied and left full of inspiration to get baking. After the class I sampled the cakes with a friend over cups of tea and we agreed they were yummy and had to hold back from scoffing the lot in one sitting!

On Bake with Maria’s website the strapline is ‘Bake yourself happy!’…well I certainly did on Saturday. Thank you Marianne for inspiring me to get in the kitchen and bake again, and thank you Rachael for taking me!

Time to enjoy simple weekend pleasures

Weekends are such a precious time to relax and do all the things you enjoy… I love having time to catch up on sorting out the house, pottering around in the garden, spending time with my latest crafty project, cooking special meals and seeing friends. I really look forward to simple weekend pleasures such as getting up without an alarm, drinking lots of cups of tea whilst leisurely flicking through books and magazines, and generally enjoying spending time in our little home. Despite the shockingly wet weather we had this weekend, I had plenty of things to keep me amused.

I baked a cake! My first loaf cake! I made a lemon and poppy seed cake using the recipe for 'My Mother-in-law's Madeira Cake' in Nigella Lawson’s wonderful book How to be a Domestic Goddess…It was so yummy and tasted even better the next day. I plan to bake something new every month to improve my baking skills and share it with you. This one was a real success and I was glad to try something other than cupcakes...even Mr C liked it! The cake was twice this size but before I managed to take a photo we had tucked into the cake! I loved the slightly crunchy topping made by sprinkling a little caster sugar on the top before popping it in the oven for an hour to bake.

...I spent time looking in our local gift shops for the perfect paper to wrap a gift. I found some bright green tissue paper and some pretty checked ribbon to wrap a small present that I am giving to friends.

I spent a lot of time working on my top secret sewing project that will be revealed in a few weeks but here is a sneaky peak…I'm so excited about sharing this with you, it is my biggest project to date and it has been a big learning curve. I should hopefully be finished in a week or so and then I'll be able to do a big reveal!

I made time to catch up with a close friend. We chatted for hours over yummy cupcakes and pink lemonade at a gorgeous deli, The Mall Deli, a few minutes walk from home …

I pottered around in the garden (whilst it wasn’t raining!) and had a look at my plants. I'm pleased to say that they are all growing nicely. They were slightly battered by the wind and rain but are still alive! Despite the poor weather a strawberry has ripened! I protected the strawberry in a jar when it had started to grow so that the birds wouldn't eat it, and to create its own little shelter to help it ripen...it worked!

I am patiently waiting for the lillies to bloom, I counted thirty two buds waiting to open!

The time has arrived for the hundreds of purple flowers bloom from the plants cascading out of our old walls. They have attracted lots of bumble bees into our little courtyard and brought a burst of colour to rainy grey days.

Finally, I spent time with a cup of tea and checked out my new books (squeal!) that arrived in the post this week. I’m hoping that they will give me lots of inspiration for my next crafty projects and provide some great projects with instructions to try out. I added 1, 2, 3 Sew by Ellen Luckett Baker and Material Obsession two by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke to my book collection...a little indulgent I know, but they have been on my wish list for a number of months.

I hope that the sunny weather we had in May returns soon...but hey, I'm pretty happy spending time at home when it rains and having time to enjoy some simple weekend pleasures.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend in the fully under way...

I've seen lots of bunting flapping in the breeze (and getting soaked in the rain!)...

I've made yummy lemon fairy cakes to have with cups of tea, ready to eat during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant...

I've stocked up on Ma'amite for a Jubilee themed breakfast table!

I hope that you are having a lovely weekend and enjoying the celebrations.

Blueberry Pancakes

Nothing could be more perfect than a yummy brunch to kick start a busy Saturday. Over the weekend I made blueberry pancakes for the first time. I whipped up the mixture using a recipe for Blueberry Soured Cream Pancakes in a lovely cook book I have had for a few years, called easy breakfast and brunch (published by Ryland, Peters and Small).

I would normally go out for brunch for this sort of thing but I had been really hoping to try make my own.

I followed the recipe and added three tablespoons of the blueberry pancake mixture to a hot greased non-stick pan, it bubbled and sizzlede as the mixture started to cook. The pancake mixture held together well and looked promising!

Next began the waiting game as the mixture was slowly cooked through. I had a real sense of pleasure when I eased the pancake away from the pan with a spatula, hoping that it hasn't stuck, and flipping it over when the bottom has browned.

The waiting started again until it was ready to serve. While I waited I discovered some maple syrup in our cupboard…

Over the next 10 minutes or so I made a big stack of pancakes and drizzled them with maple syrup...

Hungry and with our mouths watering, we tucked into our blueberry pancake feast. I’d definitely recommend using frozen blueberries in a pancake recipe. By the time the pancakes were ready the blueberries had defrosted, kept their shape and when I cut into the pancake yummy blueberry goo oozed out. Bliss!

I’m so proud of my Saturday baking session, I’ve found a new breakfast treat that I will definitely cook again.

Shortbread Hearts

I love Sunday, a day of tidying, reading books and drinking endless cups of tea. Today I’m hoping to start planning a quilt project or two, so I need something yummy to go with my cups of tea and help inspire me. What could be better than some simple shortbread biscuits! I love having something homemade stashed away in the biscuit jar when the sugar cravings kick in. I was given some heart shaped cookie cutters for Christmas so they made their debut today...

 

These lovely shortbreads came out quite crunchy and crumbly and when dipped into my tea made a perfect afternoon sweet treat!

I wonder if I will have any left by the end of the week? I doubt it, we’ve already tucked into quite a few already.

Have a lovely sunny Sunday!

Post Edit – Thank you Hanna for your message about the recipe for the shortbread.  The recipe I used for these lovely shortbreads is from a little cook book called Home Recipes with Be-Ro Flour – 39th Edition.  Ingredients are 9oz of plain flour, 3oz of caster sugar and 6oz of butter. To make these yummy shortbread biscuits you need to sift the flour and add the sugar and butter to a bowl. Then rub in the butter until the mixture starts to come together. Knead the dough gently and then roll out on a floured surface. Cut out shortbread into whatever shape you fancy and then place gently on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes until they look done on 190°C.

New Year, New Projects!

Happy New Year to you! I hope that you are looking forward to the year ahead as much as I am. I wonder what the year ahead may hold?

For the past few weeks we have had really cloudy and rainy weather but at last blue sky and fresh cold weather has made an appearance…

...and with the bright weather has come some clarity for the year ahead…I always try and write a few resolutions every January and I’m reasonably good at keeping them! However this year I’m going to set goals for what I want to achieve. I’m hoping to learn new things, share my inspirations and projects with you and spend quality time with good friends and family.

My wish list of projects to complete this year includes...

1) Complete my adventurous knitting project, a gorgeous Rowan cosy cable cushion

2) Pick up a crochet hook, refresh myself on the basics and make a start on a project

3) Learn the basics in quilt making and make something by the end of the year that I’m proud of

4) Try some new recipes, perfect my cake baking and biscuit making skills

5) Pick up some basic sewing skills using my lovely new sewing books I had as Christmas gifts, and make a few projects for the home

6) Get gardening again and find some new things for the home

There are quite a few things on the list, I just hope I can decide what to start first! What are you hoping to make and create this year?

The year of change...a new chapter begins!

I love autumn, a season of change and the chance to learn something new. The year so far has brought plenty of changes in my life and it is now about to change even more…

In January I put my job and career on hold for three months and went travelling. It had been an important goal of mine for a number of years. During the trip I went out of my comfort zone, took on new challenges and saw so many fantastic places. Whilst I was away I had time to reflect, being away from my normal routine and the city I have lived in for 10 years. Every day of my trip I gained a new perspective of what the day to day could hold and discovered a real appreciation of what made me happy.

Being away from home I realised that my job does fulfil my need for new experiences and challenges. I love the working environment I’m surrounded by every day, however something big is missing in my life. This is the opportunity for me to be creative, to have real hobbies and interests that make me tick.

I want to change that and it got me thinking...when I was younger I enjoyed dabbling in creative hobbies, however I let my interest in them slide to other choices I made. I rarely gave myself chance to flourish creatively…So in April I came back refreshed from my trip and started thinking about the next chapter in my life.

After a summer of getting my head together, I have made a decision to embark on a set of new goals to challenge myself. I want to reinvigorate my passions that I had but put on hold, clear out the clutter in my life and start something new. I want to learn new creative and practical skills to grow into a queen of domesticity! My aims and goals are to teach myself new crafts, build on my passion for interiors and home styling, learn to be a great gardener and become a brilliant baker!

I hope that through The Pink Button Tree I will be able to share with you my journey of learning crafts, home styling, gardening and baking. Each week I hope to bring you updates on my projects, my thoughts, my tips and my inspirations.

This autumn change is happening…I’ve planted a new seed into my life and I hope you will join me as I grow my passions and start creating. I’d love for you to follow me through this new chapter in my life and leave your comments.