Kenny's Birthday!!

My husband celebrated his 45th birthday on the 28th December. I was a bit rubbish and didn't manage to make a cake as we were at my mum's but the next day we went to our friend's Dan and Susan and they had made this - brilliant!!!!The pants are there for because of an in joke which I'm not allowed to tell!!!
I'm off to Hull this week to start rehearsals for a play that is touring called April in Paris for Hull Truck Theatre Company. There are only two of us in it so I think cake club may have to become cupcake or biscuit club!!!Will keep you posted.

Coronation Street 50th party pudding!!!

Was lucky enough to be invited to the 50th party in Manchester on December 10th and couldn't resist taking a piccie of this fab pud!!! Great party too!!

Christmas in the Caribbean!!

Been lucky enough to get away for two weeks and went , with a lot of persuasion to the Caribbean on a cruise!! Really enjoyed it once I got use to the size of our room - small!!

And the food was beautiful with some fantastic puds!!

Not content with a pudding every evening at dinner , we also had a dessert extravaganza evening!!!We were so full but just had to find a bit of room - be rude not too!!!!

ginger bisciuts and santa !!

Here are the gorgeous spicy ginger biscuits and you use the chatilly cream like a dip.

Had to take a photo of Father Christmas!!

Lapland and Ginger biscuits!!

Been a hectic month so a bit behind with posting !!! But here goes-----

Went to Lapland with a wonderful children's charity that I'm patron of - When you wish upon a star - they do an amazing job making sick children and their families' dreams come true.
I've been for the last six years and we always have a tiring but fantastic day where they can all forget their troubles for a while and ,of course, meet Father Christmas.
One thing that we all look forward to is the dessert at lunchtime - really simple but so delicious - spiced Ginger biscuits and whipped cream.

Lovely time at This Morning making Lemon Creams!!

As I mentioned last week I was at This Morning today doing a cookery slot!! Really exciting and everyone is always so welcoming and friendly.I decided to make something I've done a few times and that is really simple and easy as there isn't much time on air.So I went for Lemon Creams with Lemon and Almond puff pastry biscuits.I made it for the first round of masterchef 2009 and it's so easy but looks really impressive.
Lemon Cream

6 eggs
275g caster sugar
zest of 3 lemons
juice of 3 lemons
300ml double cream

Whisk the eggs well and ad the sugar,zest and juice still whisking.Pour in the the cream and mix well.Place in a pouring jug and leave to rest for 30 mins.
Pour into creme brulee dishes or ramekins and bake in a bain marie for 15 - 20 mins in a 150oc oven until they just have a slight wobble.Leave to cool.
Mash a punnet of raspberries (saving a few for decoration) and put through a sieve.Add a little icing sugar to taste.

Biscuits

melted butter 25g
Ready rolled pack of puff pastry
100g sugar
zest 1 lemon
handful finely chopped almonds
squeezy clear honey
icing sugar to serve

Open up pastry and brush with melted butter.sprinkle evenly with zest ,almonds and sugar. Generously drizzle with honey. Roll up pastry into a susage shape and place in fridge for 15 mins to harden slightly.
Cut into 1cm rounds and place on lined baking tray. Bake at 180oc for 10 mins till crisp and golden.
Dredge with icing sugar when slightly cooled and serve with the lemon cream.
These can be made up to point of just putting in the oven and if having a dinner party they can be baked as the main course is being cleared.They are even more delicious warm.

Holly and Ben loved them!!!!

When I got home I had a Christmassy Idea!!! Why not do the biscuits with mincemeat and make puff pastry mince pies!!

Used a jar of good quality mincemeat and added a dessertspoonful of brandy, Grated the zest of an orange and sprinkled that on the pastry before spreading the mincemeat and rolling up. Bake as above and dredge with icing sugar. Really good!!!

Gracie has the baking bug!!!

Finished the play on Saturday and had another trip to Betty's for afternoon tea.

Kenny sent me a photo of Gracie with her creation. It was the Christmas Fayre at school and as I wasn't about to bake she decided to have a go herself!! She did a fantastic job and I'm really proud of her - not bad for a 10 year old. ( Kenny did say the kitchen was like a war zone though!!)Go Gracie!!!