Look what I've got!

Not the best picture I admit but apparently the best Victoria Sponge!!!
Yes it's true... I won the Victoria Sponge baking competition in the Village Show. The family were not as suprised as I was as its is their favorite bake. To celebrate this acheivement I shall be baking one for my next Afternoon Tea on 15th October at 2pm. Spaces still available.

A GBBO Challange

In case you don’t know, GBBO stands for ‘The Great British Bake Off’ of which I am an avid watcher. I did apply this year but didn’t even get a reply back, the family recon I need more of a back story so I’m not in the highest demographic, which leads to some amusing dinner conversations when they come up with various bizarre stories! Anyway, something they had on there recently was a Battenburg Cake which I hadn’t made before – so I gave it a go. I was quite pleased with the result and it didn’t last long so I guess everyone else liked it too.
You may notice from the picture the deliberate mistake……. The outside of the Battenburg is white – I used fondant icing instead of marzipan as marzipan is not very popular in my house. Why use something that no one likes just because its traditional!
I think a Battenburg may make an appearance at the next Afternoon Tea which is on 15th October.
Contact me to book your place.

Small but perfectly formed !

Definitely not me – too much sampling of the product! But they do say ‘Never trust a skinny cook!’ No, it was my last Tea Party in August. Due to a last minute cancellation there were only five guests. This does mean more sandwiches and cakes for everyone else. Mmmm. Although the small numbers, it was still enjoyed as much as usual and I actually managed to sit down for a cuppa and a chat too! Here are a few of the pleasurable treats of the afternoon. Lavender Shortbread, Fruit Tartlets, Rum and Raisin Cupcakes and Luscious Lemon Roulade. Next date for tea is Saturday 10th September at 2pm.

Afternoon Tea Updates

Well, I have done 2 Afternoon Teas since my last post and both were a great success! The first one, my American themed one had to spread on to two tables, one in the dining room and one in the hall. The favourite sandwich Pastrami on Rye and the favourite cake of the afternoon Pecan Pies.

The second was for the lovely ladies at the school enjoying the last day of term! The favourite cake of this group was the Tiny Meringues sandwiched together with Vanilla Cream (which this is not a picture of! - these are Baby Madeiras with Raspberry Crush. mmmmm)

It was suggested that I do a Favourites Menu for one of my Afternoon Tea dates. What a good idea!!!!!!! Watch this space for more details.
Next Afternoon Tea is 21st August - book now to secure your place.

Summer Cakes

Back in the eighties I used to buy Apricot Madelines, not the little shell shaped cakes but light sponge coated in apricot jam the covered in coconut. You don't seem to be able to buy these now so I thought I would give them a go. Am I glad I did, they came out really well and they look lovely and summery and will definately be on the menu of a future tea party!

Practice, Practice, Practice

My next Afternoon Tea will be held on Sunday, 10th July in Epsom and is called 'The Boston Tea Party'. I found a recipe for a Brooklyn Blackout Cake which I thought would fit into the theme, so I gave it a try this weekend. Well, you have to practice!

It is made of a light chocolate sponge, filled and covered with a chocolate 'custard' - that is quite a loose term because it contains no milk or eggs! The cake is them covered in cake crumbs. The results were a delicious cake that everyone enjoyed. I might make the sponge a bit thicker next time and I have lots of the custard left over, so I need to make less of that.

If you would like to come along and try the Brooklyn Blackout Cake book a place at my next Tea Party.

Cake, Cake and More Cake

Last Saturday I went to a meeting of the Clandestine Cake Club kindly hosted by Ms Marmite. I took along a Chocolate and Cherry Cake. Chocolate was the most popular flavour but there was also a Rainbow Cake, Cheesecake, Fruit Cake, Raspberry Cake and lots more. I tried to try all of the but only very thin slices and I shared those. After a few pieces I was kind of caked out but I soldiered on! I did take a few slices home as I had a full house all week end. It was my birthday on Sunday and guess what ....... more cake! ( thanks G)


In this picture you can see a Rainbow Cake, Salty Caramel Chocolate Cake, Elderflower and Raspberry Cake, and a Red Velvet Cake.

In this one you can also see and Apple and Raspberry Crumble Cake (delicious) and a Bounty Cake.


A little something for the journey home!

More Chocolate

After the recent Chocolate and Guiness Cake, I have also made this Chocolate and Raspberry Surprise Cake - very yummy!! I also made a White Chocolate and Raspberry Roulade which was so nice I didn't get chance to take a photo of it before it dissapeared. I must apologise to the boy to this recent chocolate-fest as he does not like it .......... is he really mine ! Maybe one of these will be on offer at the next Afternoon Tea on 4th June.

Change of Date!!

Please note that the July Tea Party has now changed to Sunday 10th July. Please contact me to book a place.

May's Afternoon Tea

Afternoon Tea on 7th May was a success. We started with a selection of sandwiches and again the Peach Chutney was very popular, this time served with Cheddar Cheese. The scones also dissapeared quickly as usual. Then came the cakes!!! Chocolate and Guiness Cake as shown in the picture. Rhubarb and Custard Whoopie Pies, Delicious Marmalade Cup Cakes with a lovely Mascapone frosting, and a Fruit Tea Loaf served with butter. The most popular cake on the day was a tie between the Whoopie Pies and the Marmalade Cup Cakes. The next Afternoon Tea will be on 4th June at 2.30pm. Places are available.

Rhubarb and Custard

I don't really like rhubarb, but was given some freshly picked, organic and home-grown so I had to cook it! I also haven't been impressed with any Whoopie Pies that I have tried - and I have tried a few! I find them a bit dry... more like a stale cake with too much buttercream in the middle. Now, I hear a little voice belonging to someone I see most days saying - 'There is no such thing as too much buttercream!' but I just don't think anything helps the dry crumbs that you have in your mouth after eating a shop bought Whoopie Pie. However, on a recent trip to the local library (long may it stay open) I found a book on Whoopie Pies in the recent additions section - in it I found a recipe for Rhubarb and Custard ones. So with much trepidation I decided I would give them a go, and I am very pleased I did. They were absolutely delicious. Soft and light sponge, creamy vanilla custard and actually really tasty rhubarb. I am now a convert - and I am ready to try more variaties of home-made whoopie pies. The Rhubarb and Custard Whoopie Pie will be on the menu for the next Great British Afternoon Tea on 7th May. Places still available.

Cake Pops

This was my first attempt at Cake Pops. They were made for the girl to take to school to give to her friends for Easter. It was a bit of a messy job but I was quite pleased with the result, although I wouldn't use Lemon Drizzle Cake again as it didn't really go with the chocolate, but that was what I had to hand as it is best not to use fresh cake. I'm sure they will be easier and more professional looking next time round but I will definately making them again. I saw some lovely sparkly sprinkles yesterday - could they make it on to a Tea Party menu? Places available for a 'Great British Tea Party' on 7th May.

Date of Next Afternoon Tea

Having just done a private Afternoon Tea for 40 I decided to set some dates for more 'Open' Tea Parties. The next ones will be held on Saturday May 7th, Saturday June 4th and Sunday July 3rd. The May Tea Party will again be an English Tea, the June Tea Party will be a Summer Special and the July Tea will have an American Theme being near Independance Day. The Tea Parties will start at 2.30 and finish at approx 4.30pm and each Tea Party will be £12 donation per head. Look at the Dates and Menus page for more details. Contact me to book a place.

The Result of the First Afternoon Tea

The 1st event by Tea Time Treats took place on Saturday 19th March. I believe all my guests enjoyed themselves: there was certainly lots of talk and laughter! We began with delicious home made lemonade and sandwiches, followed by light and fluffy scones straight from the oven served with clotted cream and strawberry conserve. Next came the cake selection – Sticky Gingerbread, Warm Eccles Cakes, Little Madieras with Raspberry Crush, Lemon Drizzle Cakes and Chocolate Cup Cakes all washed down with lots of tea and coffee. My guests left happy and full commenting about the benefits of elasticated waists!!!!!

Why not try the next afternoon tea. Contact me to book a place.

A Very English Afternoon Tea !

Ok ..... I have finally taken the plunge and set a date. The inaugural tea party will be held on Saturday 19th March 2011, 2.30 - 4.30 pm. The theme, as it's title suggests, is traditional English afternoon tea. So here is the menu -

Fresh Lemon Barley

***

Selection of Sandwiches to include

Cucumber

Egg and Cress with fresh Mayonnaise

Ham and homemade Peach Chutney

***

Warm Scones

served with

Strawberry Conserve and Clotted Cream

***

Selection of Cakes and Pastries

still to be decided!

***

Choice of Teas and Coffee

I just can't decide which cakes and pastries to do. There are so many wonderful English treats to choose from! Maybe it will be one from the photo - Marmalade Cupcake, Chocolate Truffle Cake or Eccles Cake. Or maybe Battenburg, Lemon Drizzle, Fruit Cake, Apple Crumble Cake, Victoria Sponge.......... mmmmmmmmm ............. who knows? Come along and see!

Suggested donation for this event will be £12 each. If you have any dietary requirements please let me know. To book a place please contact me - spaces are limited.

Christmas in Pictures

So here is Christmas in a few pictures. Notice a bit of a theme running through these ....... ?

And it's over ! Back to normality ! Back on the diet !

Happy New Year Everyone