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Monday 24 June 2013

Cupcakes in a jar

I love cooking and baking. And I love to try new things. Who doesn't like cupcakes? So how about cupcakes in a jar? I've tried it and I think it's a fantastic party food. All you need is: cupcakes, buttercream, fruit (e.g. strawberries, blueberries or raspberries) and jars of course. Easy peasy!

CUPCAKES

125g unsalted butter
125g caster sugar
2 medium eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
125g self-rising flour
1 tbsp. milk (optional)

  • Preheat oven to gas mark 5/190C/375F and line a 12-hole muffin tin with cupcake cases
  • In a bowl cream the butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy
  • Add the beaten eggs and the vanilla extract, and mix together well
  • Sift the flour into the bowl and fold it into a mixture
  • The mixture should have soft consistency, if it feels a little dry add a tablespoon of milk
  • Spoon the mixture into the cases, two-thirds full
  • Bake for 12 to 20 minutes until golden brown
  • Leave it to cool for few minutes before moving to a wire cooling rack, and allow to cool completely.

BUTTERCREAM

350g icing sugar
175g softened butter
2 tbsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla extract

  • Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add the softened butter , mix them together then add the water and the vanilla extract
  • Mix all ingredients together well until soft and fluffy. You can add your favourite food colouring too.

Now you are ready to put together cupcakes in a jar!

  • Use a sharp knife to cut a cupcake in half. Drop the bottom half into a jar
  • Place a star nozzle inside a piping bag and spoon in the buttercream. Carefully pipe a swirl on the top of the cake 
  • Chop up the fruit ( I used strawberries) and place it on top of the buttercream
  • Drop the top half of the cupcake on top of strawberries and gently press down
  • Now pipe another large swirl on top
  • Finish it off by topping it with a piece of fruit


I made six cupcakes in a jar and six traditional cupcakes. Which one do you prefer?



Friday 7 June 2013

Victoria Beckham's style

She has been around for years now. First we met her as a Spice Girl (Posh Spice), then as David Beckham's wife and now as a fashion designer.

I have always liked her style. She had her ups and downs. We all have.


Matching leather outfits with David...well that wasn't good idea. And when she was 'just a WAG' living in Madrid her big boobs were sticking out of most of her clothes. Not too good as well.


But now she looks gorgeous. Simple and elegant. I think she finally found her style and I'm loving it!


Victoria's designs are beautiful too.



What do you think? Do you like Victoria's style?