The first whoopie pies

Yesterday I made whoopie pies for the first time. I wasn't sure what to expect - although I've read a lot about them, I hadn't actually eaten one. I followed a Hummingbird Bakery recipe which was quite different to making a normal sponge; it included yoghurt, and involved chilling the mixture in the fridge before baking.

I found it hard to get the mixture to look round on the baking trays, as the chilling had made it very stiff. I've read that you can use a piping bag to get the shape right, but I think it was far too stiff to have tried that. So when they came out the oven, they didn't look anything like they were meant to! Not very round, smooth, or orderly at all!

The filling (the whoopie, as I consider it, to the cake pie) is made with a normal butter and icing mix, plus marshmallow fluff, which is basically runny marshmallow (so sugary that tasting it made my eyes hurt). I made half the amount the recipe had suggested as previous attempts at Hummingbir Bakery recipes meant I knew there'd be too much. The filling needed chilling for 30 minutes in the fridge, which I did, but when composing the pies it just went EVERYWHERE!

They looked hilarious, and I don't think I've laughed so much making any other type of cake. They look NOTHING like they're supposed to!

But, they are very yummy.

How they're supposed to look:

How mine look:

Eggs

Where do you stand on the subject of eggs in meatballs? I made meatballs tonight, cracked the egg, then squidged it together and realised it didn't need the egg. So I risked it without, and they were fine. So maybe eggs are superfluous in meatballs after all. What do you think?

Oooh potty!

Would you look at this lovely teapot!

I found it on Etsy. I love that site!

Losing my marbles...or, gaining them.

Today I made a vanilla and chocolate marble loaf cake, with a thick layer of chocolate on top. My loaf tin is too small for regular loaf cake recipes, so I also get some cupcakes out of the mixture too.

Quite enjoyed plopping the mixture into the tin and swirling it, not knowing what it's going to look like until you cut into it.

However, I'm not sold on the particular recipe. I think the butter ratio must be higher than I'm used too, as it seemed everso greasy. I have to admit it was a Mary Berry recipe! Seems like sacrilege to say I didn't like it! I'll try the marbling with a different recipe in future though as I think the overall effect is lovely.

The topping, which was just melted dark chocolate with a splash of water and a knob of butter, was yummy. Not too much, just enough, and perfect for a chocoholic.

Greeny baby quilt done

I've finished my colour-themed baby quilt. It's to go with the Next Ziggy nursery set and I'm really pleased with how well the colours go together.

I used a turquoise flowery fabric for the binding and I think it goes with the apple green backing really well.

There were a few 'deliberate mistakes' but then it wouldn't be a handmade quilt if it was completely perfect - you have to know it's home-made.

I love it and hope new mum and baby do too!

Won't be buying this

Here's something that no one needs in their kitchen! A cake slicer (that costs a ridiculous amount of money), for people who can't slice a cake properly. Or perhaps use two cake tins. 

I think one of the most endearing things about home cooking is that it looks home cooked, not bought from a shop. Yes, you might need one of these if you make cakes professionally, but I'll stick to my wonky layers thank you.