Peaches

Source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Today on Inspirational Pins I bring you another seasonal fruit: peaches.

Peaches originated in China, where it is the symbol of long life, and one of the most ancient domesticated fruits in China with documents showing that the first peach stones date back to 6000-7000 BC.

To see more peach recipes check out my Pinterest board, Peaches. I love the look of the peach pie and peach and pineapple punch!

Have a sweet day!

Gluten-free lemon & raspberry cream cupcakes

Yesterday I showed you the Hello Kitty princess castle birthday cake I made for my niece Molly's birthday. I also bought a bright pink Hello Kitty cupcake stand and Hello Kitty cupcake wrappers for Molly. I filled them with gluten-free lemon & raspberry cream cupcakes decorated with chocolate Hello Kitty and bunny heads.

Gluten-free lemon cupcakes (makes 24 cupcakes)

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs (200g eggs)
• 200g gluten-free self raising flour
• 200g unsalted butter (2 cups), softened
• 200g caster sugar
• 2 tbsp milk
• Juice and zest of one large unwaxed lemon

Cooking instructions

1. Heat oven to 190C (fan 170C) or gas mark 5
2. Line baking tray with cases
3. In a food mixer, beat all the ingredients until you have a smooth, soft batter
4. Divide batter between the cases
5. Bake for about 25 mins until cakes bounce back when lightly pressed
6. Place on rack to cool

Raspberry cream icing (makes 24 cupcakes)
Ingredients

• Double cream (heavy cream)
• 15 fresh raspberries
• Pinch of caster sugar

Method

1. Lightly whip the double cream with the caster sugar
2. Using a food processor or fork, mash the raspberries
3. Add the crushed raspberries to the whipped cream and whip till you have an even pink colour
4. Pipe a swirl of raspberry cream on to cooled cakes

I made the Hello Kitty decorations out of white chocolate. Using my Hello Kitty moulds, I first filled the bows with melted, red-coloured chocolate and left them to set. I then filled the moulds with melted white chocolate and left them to set. I filled the "eye" holes with melted black chocolate and carefully piped the whiskers using the same black chocolate. The nose was painted yellow with food colouring.





Have a sweet day!

Hello Kitty princess castle birthday cake

Today is my niece Molly's 3rd birthday. This year she asked me to make a Hello Kitty castle cake. Her wish was my command...






"Happy Birthday Molly"

I was inspired by this lovely Hello Kitty cake from Royal Bakery, who in turn was inspired by Yummy Cupcakes and Cakes cute Hello Kitty cake.

My gluten-free recipe and details coming soon...

Have a sweet day!

Blackberries

Source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Today on Inspirational Pins I bring you another seasonal fruit: blackberries.

Blackberries, in botanical terminology, the fruit is not a berry but an aggregate fruit of numerous drupelets.

To see more blackberry recipes check out my Pinterest board, Blackberries. I want to have a go at the coconut and blackberry cheesecake!

Have a sweet day!

Hello Kitty cakes

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you my favourite Hello Kitty cakes I found on Flickr.

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites:

• The amazing detail in a Moo Moo Hello Kitty and Dragon Hello Kitty Cake by { Sweet Xpressions } Cakes
• The pretty rainbow and toadstools in Hello Kitty Rainbow Cake by Party Cakes By Samantha
• The cute cake pops in Hello Kitty Cake Pops by the queen of cake pops, Bakerella

Have a sweet day!

Mini jars of Eton Mess

Ever since I served mini desserts in small glass jars at Christmas I have wanted to do them again! This time I went for the Summer British classic, Eton Mess! They went down a treat and everyone loved having their own jar of heaven...

Mini jars of Eton Mess (makes 8 jars)

Ingredients

• 400ml double cream
• 500g Strawberries
• Meringues
• Pinch of caster sugar

Method

1. Using a blender, puree half the strawberries
2. Whip the double cream till you get soft peaks
3. Add the pureed strawberries to the whipped cream and stir
4. Break meringues into small pieces and add to strawberry whipped cream
5. Chop the remaining strawberries into quarters, leaving 8 pieces to one side, add the rest to the creamy meringue mixture
6. Spoon mixture into glass jars (I use a disposable piping bag, with a large section of the end cut off)
7. Top each jar with a piece of strawberry
8. Seal glass jars and serve

Pink gingham ribbon from Jane Means

Have a sweet day!

Gluten-free choc chip cupcakes

To go with yesterday's redcurrant and white chocolate cupcakes I also made choc chip cupcakes topped with chocolate dipped cherries.

Gluten-free choc chip cupcakes (makes 12 cupcakes)

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 185g (1 1/4 cups) gluten-free self raising flour
• 125g unsalted butter, softened
• 150g (2/3 cup) caster sugar
• 80ml (1/2 cup) milk
• 150g dark chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tbsp vanilla essence
• Double cream, whipped
• 12 cherries to decorate

Cooking instructions

1. Heat oven to 170C (fan 150C)
2. Line baking tray with cases
3. Line a baking tray with baking paper
4. Melt 100g dark chocolate chips
5. Dip cherries into melted chocolate, place on baking paper and leave to set
6. In a food mixer, beat the butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla essence and cocoa powder
7. Stir in sifted flour, chocolate chips and milk
8. Divide batter between the cases
9. Bake for about 25 mins until cakes bounce back when lightly pressed
10. Place on rack to cool
11. Pipe whipped cream on top
12. Decorate with chocolate dipped cherries

Have a sweet day!