Jubilee

What is everyone doing for the Queens Jubilee!? I can't be the only one who has caught Royal fever!? I must have bought hundred of meters of bunting and lets not get started on the paper plates, tea towels and party hats I seem to have slipped into my shopping basket over the past month or two.. 

I can't decide if I want to take the day off work yet or maybe have an office celebration.. the service is bound to be streamed live on youtube or the web somewhere right? If I am at work my idea was to arrange a potluck lunch and make a few royal themed desserts.. 

Here are some of my inspiration from around the web:

How about this awesome Purple Crown which was designed by the baker who made Kate and Williams 8 tier wedding cake... (instructions are in the caption).. it looks okay to make it would just be very time consuming.

Photo from www.dailymail.co.uk

Or how about something a bit simpler like a (shop bought if you are feeling lazy) tray bake decorated with fresh berries (I am thinking strawberries, blackberries/blueberries and raspberries) in the shape of the Union Jack Flag.. with added miniature bunting if you are feeling crafty..

Photo from www.goodtoknow.co.uk

Or how about some crowd pleasing cupcakes.. Something like this maybe or even just frosting with red, white and blue sprinkles and a little flag for the top:

Photo from: CakeMeCaroline

What are your plans? Will you be waving your flags on the 5th of June or slaving at a desk? Did you manage to get tickets to her concert in London!? Anyone else not at all impressed with Pippa' bottom? 

Love M Xx

Coffee and Walnut Cake

Who doesn't love cake!? My mums favourite is Coffee and Walnut cake, which is two things I don't really love so never wanted to cook but after some pestering I decided to give it a try. Here is the recipe that I found from Nigella and I adapted a little for what I had at home...

INGREDIENTS

For the sponge:

50g walnut pieces

225g caster sugar

225g soft unsalted butter, plus some for greasing

200g plain flour

4 teaspoons instant coffee granules 

2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder

1⁄2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

4 eggs

1 tablespoons of sour cream (just use a little milk if easier)

For the buttercream frosting:

350g icing sugar

175g soft unsalted butter

2 teaspoons instant coffee powder and 2 teaspoons of boiling water

2 tablespoons of cream cheese

8-12 walnut halves, to decorate

You will need: 2 x 20cm sandwich tins

Set your oven for 180oC.

With a rolling pin or food blender blitz the walnut until a powder (it will be a little damp) and mix with the sugar. 

It is such a light and fluffy batter

In a large bowl mix this with the flour, eggs, butter (I often cheat and half melt it in the microwave), coffee (which should be mixed with a little hot water first), baking powder and bicarb and then add some sour cream/milk to make a light batter. Split this between 2 sandwich tins and cook for 25-30 minutes till brown and clean when you pull a screwer out of the middle.

Let the cakes cool and then ice with the buttercream frosting (just mix all ingredients) between the 2 cakes layered on top of each other(make sure you have plenty for the top) then decorate with walnut halves. 

I was surprised at how light this cake was with so many eggs, it was lovely and moist too. I will definitely be making this again. You could add more coffee if you like it strong but I thought it might take away from the walnuts so I kept it quite light for my first attempt.   

Serve and enjoy..

Tada... The finished Coffee and Walnut Cake.
I wish I had taken a photo of the slices but I ate it too fast sorry!