In a cupcake comfort zone

One of the joys of authoring this blog – aside from getting to relive baking triumphs (let's not talk about the catastrophes) – is that it provides an outlet for non-work writing. Late last night, with my ‘work’ hat (more like a helmet actually) firmly in place, I was doing battle with an article about norovirus outbreaks in rest homes and hospitals. Basically it was about how people need to wash their hands more. Pretty unappealing stuff, if I’m honest, but this article, among countless others, helps pay the bills. Sadly, tinkering with icing sugar and cake tins does not.

Unfortunately the work helmet has barely come off these past four weeks. Don’t worry, the kitchen hasn’t fallen into disuse, my oven hasn’t become storage. But the baking over the past month has been more, what I would term, ‘survival baking’ – no croquembouche or croissant creations this time; think more muffins, cakes and slices.

For those loyal followers who recall my first attempts at muffins, you’ll be pleased to know I’m improving, thanks to the help of my trusty sous-chef – Dan. Note his cute little rugby apron, kindly sewn by clever Kylie.

 

My banana cake went down a treat with Ella and friends for a morning tea over the school holidays...

...as did my second attempt at chocolate caramel slice (better this time) and my first go at Louise cake. Who was Louise, I wonder? I think she and I would have been friends.

I also made a jam swiss roll - my first attempt at a roulade, which I thought was ok, until Neil commented, with a just-sucked-a-lemon face, that it was “a bit dry” and then proceeded to cough on the crumbs. 

I tried a Moroccan flatbread which went down a treat with couscous and lamb (and a nice glass of red).

And finally, a blog on standard issue baking would not be complete with the signature morsel – the trusty cupcake. This time I tried chocolate velvet cupcakes with a rich chocolate frosting made out of chocolate, butter and golden syrup. More fondant roses as decorations - I know, I need to get more adventurous.

And I promise I will  get out of my baking comfort zone for the next post.

TTFN x