Saturday 19 February 2011

new cake!!

Just completed this Xbox 360 cake, it took me about 2 hours to decorate. It's a vanilla genoise sponge filled with vanilla buttercream and strawberry jam.
Oh! as promised, here is the recipe for my red nose day shortbread cookies! This is definately one of the best shortbreads ever! I've tried to reduce the quantities as much as possible as obviously I've used it over the years in hotels etc!

150g ground almonds
1250g plain flour
700g butter
4 eggs
500g icing sugar
pinch of salt
zest of 1 lemon

beat butter and sugar til white and fluffy, add flour, salt, almonds and zest. lastly add eggs. do not over mix as this will result in a shortbread that is not as light and delicate after baking. leave to rest in a fridge for 30 mins. roll out on a lightly floured surface to desired thickness ( about 1/2 inch for cookies). for best results cut out and place on tray and rest in fridge for 10 mins before baking as this will stop them spreading or shrinking in the oven and allow then to keep their shape. pop in the oven 190C/375F/Gas 5 for about 15 mins, they should be cooked without colour, to make sure they are, turn one over, you will be able to tell if there is uncooked dough or not. sprinkle with sugar as soon as they come out the oven.

As well as on their own with a brew, this shortbread recipe is fab as part of a dessert eg. strawberry shortcake ( sandwich fresh whipped cream and strawberries between thin layers), use in trifles instead of sponge fingers, aside of a creme brulee! the list is endless!
In this pic opposite I've used a pistachio shortbread as a garnish for a lemon curd and pistachio iced parfait.

Friday 11 February 2011

RED NOSE DAY!!!

Well, comic relief is 18th march and I'm fundraising as it's such a fab cause! I'll be making red nose day shortbread cookies for everyone to buy for 50p each! Delivery comic relief week! Come on lets get giving!!! I'll also be posting the recipe on here as it just melts in the mouth!!!

Tuesday 8 February 2011

sweetmoments (everything pastry): my first blog!!! (choc truffles for Valentines!)

sweetmoments (everything pastry): my first blog!!! (choc truffles for Valentines!)

my first blog!!! (choc truffles for Valentines!)

Hi, be patient with me, I'm just getting started on this blog malarky!.....what shall we start with??? how about some yummy chocolate truffles to celebrate with on this upcoming Valentines day? something a little easy to begin! I have made these sooo many times over the years in places I've worked, simple to make and they don't take alot of time, plus you can get adventurous with flavours!
600g dark chocolate (you can use milk if u prefer but this is so nice!)
250ml double cream
flavouring to taste ( whiskey, baileys etc, vanilla....anything really

heat the cream up til it's just about to boil and pour it onto the broken up chocolate, beat til it becomes glossy and then add your flavour of choice ( I like to use whiskey for dark, amaretto for milk and baileys for white) set the mixture aside til its firm enough to roll into balls. I use a parisienne scoop (melon baller) dipped in hot water to get all of my truffles the same size and shape. once you have rolled all your truffles you can coat them in all sorts of things! dessicated coconut, cocoa powder, chopped nuts.......the list is endless! have a go and let me know the results