Sunday, 24 February 2013

Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness....

Well I've been a bit quiet of late, lots to do and not enough time spent baking that's for sure.

But I've been back in the kitchen today and making something slightly different.

A fabulous thing about being back in the kitchen is that is has given me the chance to use a few of my birthday gifts. A rather "me" pinny from my friend Sarah.


And a set of these really funky measuring cups from my friend Susie.



This week while indulging in an episode of Man vs Food with my Bro, we found Mr Richman taking us to the Lulu's Bakery and Cafe in San Antonio where they make Cinnamon Rolls which are bigger than my head.


Now I would never attempt to make something of this size, not only because my oven isn't big enough, but because I would want to eat a whole one and that's not good for anyone's waistline!!

Dough
2 packages active dry yeast
1 cup warm water 
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup warmed milk
2/3 cup butter
2 teaspoons salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
7 cups flour, or more if needed


Filling
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cinnamon

To line pan - 1/4 cup melted butter
 1/4 cup sugar

In a small bowl mix together warm water, yeast and sugar and set aside. 
In a large bowl, mix milk, melted butter, salt and eggs; stir well and add yeast mixture.
Add half the flour and beat until smooth.
Stir in enough of the remaining flour until dough is slightly stiff (dough will be sticky).
Turn out onto a well-floured board; knead 5-10 minutes.


Place in well-buttered glass or earthenware bowl, cover and let rise in warm place, until doubled in size, I left mine for around an hour.




When doubled, punch down dough and let rest 5 minutes. Roll out on floured surface into a 15x20" rectangle. 



Spread dough with 1/2 Cup melted butter. Mix together 1 1/2 Cup sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over buttered dough.




Roll up and pinch edge together to seal. Cut into slices.




Coat bottom of baking pan and a 8 inch square pan with melted butter, then sprinkle with sugar.
Place cinnamon roll slices in pan.


Let rise in warm place until dough is doubled in bulk, about 45 mins. ( I was concerned I  spaced mine out a lot, but look!!)




Bake for 25-30 minutes, in preheated oven, gas mark 4. Rolls should be nicely browned.



You could add a icing glaze or why not a cream cheese frosting. Alternatively a caramel sauce would also work well.

Now I'm off to put the kettle on for a cuppa and a bun.

Happy Baking

Muffin Minx.

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Cake Pops

Need something with an edge.. The amazing Bakerella brought Cake Pops into my world.



So here's my take on cake pops...

To start the cake...

125g butter
125g sugar
125g self raising flour
2 eggs

Beat sugar and butter together. Beat in eggs one by one. Then sift in flour. Put mix in 8inch cake tin.
Bake at gas 3 for 25mins. Leave to cool

Then to make Pops....should make 20

70g cream cheese
140g icing sugar
Candy melts for coating

Mix the icing sugar and cream cheese together
Put the cake in food processor till like crumbs.
Combine the cream cheese frosting and cake crumbs



Measure out 30g of cake mixture and roll into ball.
Put the balls in freezer for 15mins



Melt a small amount of the candy melts


Dip the lolly sticks in the candy melt and push into the frozen pop
Put in the fridge for 30mins or so to set.



Then dip the pops in more melts to coat.
I find it easier to roll the pops on a spoonful of the melts rather than dipping.






Then let your imagination do the rest.

Happy Baking

Muffin Minx


Birthday Cake Fest....

So this weekend I celebrated my birthday, and what better way to celebrate, than with good friends, and tea and cake. (also a good cure for a heavy morning after the night before)

So I kept my baking simple with simple vanilla cupcakes, and was all about the decorating.




As per usual, I got a little carried away...

Rubber Duck Cakes

Fondant icing for heads and tails, fruit chew sweets for beaks, and sprinkles for eyes (use an edible ink pen to add the pupils)



Using butter cream to secure the heads and tails to the cake.

Using yellow frosting to coat and decorating to complete.

Elmo Cakes

Red coconut, chocolate buttons and m&m's...simple


Cookie Monster Cakes

Blue coconut, chocolate buttons and COOKIES!!!!





So......which one do you want a bite of!?

Muffin Minx