So, after spending a couple of years trying to curb my sweet tooth and shave a couple of inches off my waistline, I am back to undo all my hard work – and I hope it’s a welcomed return!
Continue reading “Double Chocolate Baked Cookie Dough Cheesecake”
A week after coming back from France it’s safe to say I’m still easing myself back in on the baking front by going for the dessert that probably requires the least amount of finesse possible: eton mess. But, being modest as per, it did taste pretty good, so I personally am not complaining.
I have mentioned in a couple of my posts recently that I am off to France at the end of next week. This, of course, was a great excuse for a night out and allowed me to inflict my baking on my friends who, surprisingly, still put up with it!
So after dedicating bakes to holidays such as Christmas, New Years and Easter, I feel it is only fair that Halloween gets a turn. This time I’m also being proactive: by launching the post before the actual day, you might actually get a chance to try them out! (and let me know if you do, I’m keen to see what you think of this recipe!)
After some failed attempts over trying to be healthy the last couple of weeks, this time I thought I would give it a bit more of a go. However, it is me, so obviously the efforts weren’t necessarily the strongest they could have been!
After taking a week off I have to admit that my lack of posting is very much met with a ‘sorry, not sorry’ attitude. I can, in some ways, try and redeem myself in the sense that I was at least baking myself in the Spanish sun (but my attempts to tan merely resulted in some fairy questionable burn lines), but I cannot make any claim of doing anything more than being thoroughly lazy. While I could go on to make many more smug comments about going to Fib Festival, I will move on before it turns into a 1000 word long ramble and turn to what we’re all here for, Jaffa Cheesecake.
In the last Sunday before my Tough Mudder, I admit defeat by breaking my no sugar streak in utter style. This, of course, could only be done by choosing something that is basically full of the stuff. To be honest, I think this is probably quite a good representation of my training levels in general; I started out with good intentions but, in the end, I’m not actually sure how much further along the fitness lines I really am! But think of it this way, this is at least the penultimate time you’ll have to hear about it; there is always a silver lining!
And so the healthy baking continues with this weeks offering of a rhubarb, spelt and pecan crumble. As with my previous posts for a matcha, raspberry and honey cake, or my protein loaf from last week, I’m not going to bore you with the reasons behind the health kick as, let’s face it, it’s not really that exciting! But what I will say is that there was definitely a hint of smugness during my Summer shopping trip yesterday as I managed to squeeze myself into a slightly smaller size. This was quickly wiped from my expression when I was smacked with a phone bill to repair my phone, but all that aside I can cross my fingers that these posts are actually working!
If you’ve managed to have a peek at any of my blog posts recently, you will know that a lot of them, in some ways, have been for birthdays. Whether it was my raspberry and white chocolate cookie cake or my schiachiatta con uva a lot of my recipes have been a little less random than what happens to come to mind. As much as I do enjoy baking for this reason, it does add a little bit of extra pressure to get it right and this week was no exception. However, this week I was not cooking for a birthday, but instead in an attempt to impress one of my toughest critics: my grandma.
This week I thought I would do something a little different on the blog. I have been meaning to host a dinner party for the girls from school since I came back from my ski season a few months ago and decided to take the advantage of having an empty house by finally doing it. Having done the whole rebellious house party thing in sixth form (which my parents found out about it before they even left due to my lack of stealth and tact), I decided this time I would keep things a bit more civilised. In spite of the slight gin-induced hangover the next day, it was lovely to see everyone and have a good catchup.
But enough about the drink, onto the food. Continue reading “Westfield Girls Dinner Party: Pulled Chicken Burgers and Amarula Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake”
Cakehole Bakes - Newcastle upon Tyne 