Monday No Bake - Cake Pops

 

I have labeled this as a No Bake post as my recipe uses up left over cake.  But you can make your own sponge especially for cake pops if you want to!  

A few weeks back, I make the teeny tiny Lamington sponge - and put it in the freezer.  So last night I put it in the fridge ready to make cake pops this morning. These quantities make 12 cake pops.

Ingredients:
240g sponge
120g buttercream
100g chocolate

Method:
Whizz the sponge in a food processor (or break up by hand) until it resembles breadcrumbs.  Mix in the buttercream and bind everything together.  Roll into small balls and place on a tray lined with greaseproof paper.  Using a cake pop stick make a small hole in each one.  Place in the fridge to firm up for at least an hour.  Melt the chocolate. Dip a stick in the chocolate and then stick in the cake ball.  Place back in the fridge for about 10 mins.  Then dip the whole cake pop in the chocolate allowing the excess to run off.  You can either stand the pops upright in a block of polestyrene or upside down on the greaseproof lined tray.  I have fashioned a stand out of a supermarket cardboard cake stand that I have punched some holes in.

Today was CatK's first time of going outside.  We went for a wander round the garden together for a little bit, then he jumped up on the shed and was off into my neighbour's garden.  I went back inside to do some housework, but I kept looking into the garden to see if I could spot him!  After a bit he come back in :o)  But not for long as he wanted back out again.  He was out for hours and came in about 3pm for a sleep!  I did ask him where he had been, but he didn't disclose any information!

Thanks for visiting, 
Bakebakegirl.

Todays top three Spotify Songs;

1. Feel Good Inc - Gorillaz
2. Frozen - Madonna
3. Linger - The Cranberries

Monday Review - Edinburgh

Today the weather has been a bit grey. Yesterday the weather in Edinburgh was gorgeous. Cold but with clear blue skys. My sister and I spent all day indoors on a craft workshop - what a lovely day it was.  We were learning how to make a cathedral window cushion.  I plan to do a full Thursday Makes post soon, but here is a sneaky peek.

Today we went for a wander round town.  One of the things I love about Edinburgh is the different street levels.  It's hard to explain so I have taken some pictures.

Another thing I love is the mix of modern architecture in with old buildings.

We ended up at Lovecrumbs for coffee and cake.  They have a wardrobe of cake! We were there about 4pm and there was still a good selection.

I had the chocolate and violet cake, Sister had the Orange and Bergamot cake and the girls had chocolate brownies.  Massive slices of cake but very light - gorgeous.  Our table was an old piano :o)

Thanks for visiting,

Bakebakegirl

Today's top three songs:

1. Liquid Spirit - Gregory Porter

2. Gloria - Laura Branigan

3. The Living Daylights - A-ha

Monday Inspiration - Cappuccino Squares

As part of my christmas present, Hubby had bought me tickets to see Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour on Saturday, which also happened to be my birthday!   I have been to the tour once before several years ago at Wembley Arena, but this time it was at the O2.

I really enjoyed it, it was great to see Abbey's salsa to You Should Be Dancing again and also Susanna and Kevin's Paso.  Each night on the tour the audience votes for their winner.  I wanted Abbey to win, but on our night it was Natalie.  Her and Artem did the Jive that they were meant to do the week she was ill.  Len said that was the best jive he had seen on Strictly- but for me nothing will beat Jill Halfpenny's jive from Series 2!

Today I made Cappuccino Squares from Rachel Allen's book "Cake" to take into work tomorrow.   My MotherinLaw finds it odd that when it is your birthday you have to take cakes in for everybody - surely it should be the other way round!!  This recipe uses Camp coffee and it makes a light sponge however, not a very strong coffee taste. 

Thanks for visiting,
Bakebakegirl

Today's top three Spotify Songs:

1. Learn To Fly - Foo Fighters
2. Rockstar - Nickleback
3. Ironic - Alanis Morissette





  

Monday Bake - Madeleines

I watched a repeat of Rachel Khoo's programme the other day and I realised I hadn't used my Madeleine tin since I made the gluten free ones last May.  So I decided to use the recipe from her book from the series.  You can find the recipe here.  I halved the quantities, as these are best eaten on the day you make them. 

Looking at my last Madeleine blog post I noticed I used the same plate - this must be my Madeleine plate!  

CatK has continued to settle in well - we have had him for over a week now and he has really made himself at home.  He does seem to have a "daft 5 minutes" where he hides under the table, makes a funny meow, runs around really fast which occasionally includes running up my curtains (!) and then he is fine.  Hopefully this will stop once he is allowed outside and is able to run off some of his energy!  

Thanks for visiting,

Bakebakegirl

Today's top three Spotify songs:

1.Self Control - Laura Brannigan

2. Big in Japan - Alphaville

3. Sleeping Satellite - Tasmin Archer