Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Duffins How To #2

I came across another easy teat time treat that is very much worth sharing -  Duffins. A fun muffin doughnut cross with a jam centre. There is no hassle of frying but the fluffy warm doughnut texture can be enjoyed

You will need:



  • 300g self-raising flour
  • 100g caster sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of dry yeast
  • ½ tsp of nutmeg
  • 80ml vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 175ml buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence
  • About 6 Tbsp jam (strawberry or raspberry work best)
     
  • For the coating:
    • 100g melted butter
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon mixed with ½ cup caster sugar

    Method

    • Preheat the oven to 180° and grease a 6-hole muffin tin. If you make them smaller you would be able to get about 9 duffins in total.
    • Put the flour, salt, caster sugar, yeast and nutmeg into a large bowl.
    • In another bowl, combine the vegetable oil, egg, buttermilk and vanilla extract.

    • Add to the dry ingredients and mix into a thick dough.

    • Place a spoonful of the dough in each muffin hole and make an indent in the centre. Fill each indent with a tablespoon of jam (more if you can manage it) then carefully cover the jam with the dough.

    • Bake for 20-30 minutes until firm and golden on top.
    • Remove from the oven and put on a wire rack to cool

    • When the duffins are cool enough to handle, dip them in the melted butter and then dip in the cinnamon sugar.
    cinnamon and caster sugar 


     


    Proper recognition must be given to the founders of these babies, Beas of Bloomsbury

    http://shop.beasofbloomshttp://shop.beasofbloomsbury.com/products/duffinsbury.com/products/duffins

    When I'm visiting the bustling city of London again I promise to stop by ♡ 

    Now all  that's left to do is switch on the kettle and prepare yourself a well deserved cup of tea  to enjoy with that Delectable Duffin that you worked so hard on (wink) (wink) 

    ♡  


    Saturday, 1 March 2014

    V Day Specials

    The annual day of love comes around and gives us all that tingly feeling of love, romance and Red Velvet Cuppies

     
     
     
    As usual in an attempt to spread the love and because of all the requests from my loyal customers,  I baked Red Velvet Cupcakes, iced with Cream Cheese Icing
     
     
     
     
     
     


    They were packaged in 4's and sent of in a cute red ribbon
     
     
    These little treats brought happiness to many Valentine recipients and at the end of the day, that's what matters the most on this magical Day of Love  !!!
     
     
     
     
     
    Happy Valentines Day
    Always Remember to spread the Love
     
     
     
    
    

    Hannah Jane's Peter Rabbit Party

    Our beautiful Jannie turned 3 this year and she is as lovely as ever. Senora had bought her a pet rabbit named Betsy and  that started our little princess's love for these fury little bunnies.



    This year mum decided to carry the bunny theme to the party planning and we decided on the charming tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.



    Jannie's cake was my very first attempt at a two tiered cake. I used a normal vanilla sponge which I coloured with green alternating with chocolate cake.
    This was an attempt to get the green and brown to resemble grass and sand.

    I used royal icing and decorated with sugar flowers and carrots.
    Peter on the top of the cake was a cardboard printout and stuck on with a skewer stick




    Mini cupcakes for the Birthday Girl and other treats
    we all remember and love
     (especially those little cones)

     
    Peter Party Packs

    Bubbles !!!!!
    Party entertainment, and Pren clearly wanting to jump  on
     
     

     
     

    Happy Birthday my dear Jannie
    I wish you many more fun birthday parties and wonderful memories

    Lots of Love & Hugs
    Your Cool Aunt Sam

     

    Soji Ladoo

    The festival of Kavady is one of the most auspicious occasions on the Tamil calendar  and is one of the festivals that has always been celebrated by my family.

    From as long as I can remember we have been observing this occasion and my childhood memories are filled with the blistering Durban heat, cups and cups of sweetened milkshakes , sweet rice and of course, delicious breyani.




    Every year I try go home to Durban to celebrate this time and like to take along some nice treat for our beloved Muruga.

    For more information of this festival and its significance, I have found this this helpful link:
    http://www.lenzshree.co.za/kavadysignificance.htm


    Now the treat I made this year was Soji Laado, its incredibly easy and like most Indian Sweetmeats, doesn't need any oven time 

    Ingredients
    500g semolina
    1.5 cups of coconut
    1.5 cuos of castor sugar
    250g butter or ghee
    1 tsp nutmeg
    1 tsp elachi (cardamom)
    25ml of sesame seeds
    125g chopped almonds
    397ml condensed milk
    Red Food Colouring (or any colour of your choice)

    Method
    - Melt butter or ghee in a thick base pot
    - Add in the semolina and let brown then add in coconut
    - Remove from the heat
    - Add castor sugar, nutmeg, elechi, sesame seeds and mix together
    - Mix together the condensed milk and almonds into the semolina mixture
    - Add colouring as desired, depending on how dark or light you wish. A few drops do the trick
    - The consistency of the mixture will be slightly sticky and is now ready to be rolled into small balls
       The balls should hold nicely and hardens almost immediately


    Done ! Easy Peezy



    By adding a little red you get a pretty pinkish tint, these
    are how they turned out



    Thanks to my mum for this easy recipe  !


    I'm glad to report that everyone enjoyed these sweet little babies which were incredibly quick and easy to prepare.

    Happy Baking and always remember, if its made with love, that love will always be tasted