Coffee and Walnut Cake - The Recipe

 

A classic coffee and walnut cake recipe with a buttery yet light sponge and a rich coffee flavoured icing...

I am not usually one to indulge in a coffee cake, I would rather have a chocolate fudge cake any day but whilst looking for something to bake yesterday I laid my eyes on this wonderful recipe in the Great British Bake Off cookery book. It just looked so damn tasty! And if I am honest it was one of the few recipes I actually had the ingredients for, lazy I know, anyway I wanted to share this with you as it is easy to follow and really quick to make.

For the sponge you will need -

175g unsalted soft butter

175g caster sugar

3 medium eggs

75g chopped walnuts

175g self raising flour

1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

1 tablespoon of instant coffee dissolved into 1 tablespoon of hot water

For the filling and topping you will need -

125g unsalted butter

300g icing sugar

3 tablespoons of instant coffee dissolved into 2 tablespoons of hot water

4 tablespoons of double cream

25g chopped walnuts for decoration

First start by pre-heating the oven to 180 C and line two eight inch cakes tins. Put the softened butter and sugar into a bowl and beat until light and creamy, gradually add in the eggs one at a time beating well after each one is added. Add the nuts, sifted flour and baking powder followed by the disolved coffee, carefully fold all ingrediants together until thoroughly combined. Divide the mixture between the two tins and spread evenly. Bake for 20-25mins until golden and the sponge springs back when lightly pressed. Once out of the oven run a round bladed knife around the egde of the cake to loosen and then turn out onto a wire cooling rack, leave cakes to cool completely.

To make the filling and topping heat the butter in a small non stick metal pan until it starts to bubble, sift the icing sugar into a large heatproof bowl and pour over the butter followed by the disolved coffee and cream, beat well using a large wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth, leave until thick enough to spead. You may need to chill the mixture in the fridge for ten minutes or so. Once almost set spread onto the bottom layer of the cake and then place the second sponge layer on top, put the rest of the mixture onto the top of the cake and spread using a spatula, run a knife around the top to create a swirled pattern and then decorate with the chopped walnuts.

The recipe says the cake should last four days so it is a  great one to prepare one or two days before having guests round, although it didn't even last a day in my house! Let me know if you try this!

Where to go: Brighton - SILO

The pre-industrial food system that generates zero waste, uses products in their rawest form at the same time as creating delicious food. Introducing Brighton's greenest new haunt - SILO...

Wondering the North Laines the other day in search of something chocolaty I was lured into SILO, a new restaurant, bakery and coffee house in Upper Gardner Street with a beckoning display of goods in the front window. Fresh artisan breads, cakes, bakes, slices you name it - they have it, and all with that charming homemade look about them. I went for the hot chocolate, taste wise this place delivers a good hot chocolate, thick, creamy melted chocolate consistency - size wise though I could have definitely polished off at least two.

The menu looked as if it was packed with creative dishes and after a little research I discovered SILO locally sources all the ingredients used in their kitchens, they even mill their own flour, they rely on a network of ethical farmers, growers, tea merchants, the list is endless. All combine to create this very modern take on eating out.

The restaurant vibe is similar to that of places found in Brick Lane, the place is buzzing with tables packed with bearded twenty somethings all with their laptops spread all over the tables. The decor is very Pinterest worthy with chalkboards everywhere, exposed white bricks and the menus projected all over the walls.  We had to go away and do a little shopping before there was even a free table so definitely popular since its opening.


Will you be checking out SILO?

Death By Chocolate

When it is drizzling outside and your all snuggled up in doors with the heating on, this is the perfect time to do a little bit of baking. After watching the latest series of the Great British Bake Off I felt so inspired I purchased the GBBO recipe book which is full of naughty treats, one of which is the 'Death by Chocolate' cake, I mean how could I resist with a name like that? So after roping in Luca and making a quick ingredient stop at tescos we got started...

'Death by Chocolate'
You will need an electric whisk. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees. Grease and line a 22cm cake tin.
Ingredients for the sponge:
300g dark chocolate
150g unslated butter, diced
5 medium free range eggs, at room tempurature
half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
100g caster sugar
Ingredients for the topping
200g dark chocolate
100ml double cream
Decorations (we used white and milk chocolate buttons)

Over a pan of simmering water place a heat proof bowl and melt your butter and chocolate together, once melted start to whisk the five eggs and the sugar in a large mixing bowl, this will take about five minutes, it will double in volume and go a very pale yellow, when you lift the whisk out it should form ribbons that are visible for five seconds. Next slowly pour your melted chocolate into the bowl with the beaten sugar and eggs, fold the chocolate in gently, take your time mixing the two, the chocolate can settle at the bottom of the bowl. Once combined place in your greased and lined cake tin and pop into the oven for around 35-45 minutes. Unlike a normal cake you don't stick a skewer into the centre to see if it is ready, the cake needs to come out before it is cooked all the way through as it continues cooking out of the oven, I left mine in for 45 minutes and found  it to be perfect but you may need to take it out a little earlier depending on your oven. The recipe also mentions the cake will rise a lot in the oven and then sink whilst cooling so no need to worry. When ready take out of the oven and place on a cooling rack to cool and sink. Once cool turn upside down as the flat side will be easier to ice. To make the icing, over a pan of simmering water place the chocolate and cream into a heatproof bowl and half melt. Then take off the heat and mix until thick and glossy. Now you can take the mixture and cover your cake then decorate. The topping will need to set so leave for a few hours before devouring if you can.

Would love to know if you try this!

Homemade Soaps

When it comes to gifts, I personally think there is nothing better than something handmade whether it just be a card or a lovingly made jar of homemade jam, the fact that someone has taken the time to create something special and one of a kind makes the gift much more meaningful. I felt inspired to make my own soap after reading an article in Homemaker magazine, once I bought my key ingredients I realised I had enough to make lots of different soaps, so over the past few months I have been experimenting with all sorts of scents, textures and colours.

For this D.I.Y I made Peppermint and Vanilla soaps and here is how I made them:
Ingredients  -
500grms of melt and pour soap base, cubed
Two tablespoons of almond oil
Peppermint oil
Dried rose buds and petals
Vanilla paste
Silicone molds
A jug
A mixing bowl
Natural colouring of your choice, I used blue.

First of all make sure your melt and pour soap base is suitable for the microwave and then place in a bowl, microwave at full heat for one and a half minutes or until it is completely liquid. Next add the almond oil and stir. Split your mixture into two, to mixture one add a teaspoon of the vanilla paste, and to mixture two add the colouring and several drops of peppermint oil. Begin pouring both your mixtures into your silicone molds, after you have reached the top then you can place your decorations on top, I used rose buds and petals. I left mine for around six hours and then I removed them from the casing, just make sure the soaps are fully set. I always leave my soaps to cure for a few months before using them, I just store them in a cool dry place until they are ready. The next step is the fun part, gift wrapping! I use clear wrapping sheets and luggage tags to give a vintage feel to my soaps but you can really get creative here with all sorts of designs. These soaps also look lovely displayed on bathroom cabinets and sinks for guests or just for yourself!

I hope you now feel inspired to get making, don't forget to link your ideas and makes in the comment section below.

The Sunday Post: Making Photo Albums

My computer is full of photographs that I lovingly upload and then manage to forget about, my family isn't one for having photo albums so when I first met Luca's Grandparents and they showed me their huge collection of family albums I thought one day that will be me, so off I went down to Jessops with my memory card and got them all printed. I think there is something so wonderful about having all your memories in a scrap book or album that you can pull out any time you want to reminisce.  I have also been working on a little project with my wedding photographs, I wanted to give an album to Luca's parents with pictures of our big day and our invitations, these will be great to look back on in the future.

Do you prefer photo albums or do you keep them on your computer?

Raspberry and Basil Infused Lemonade

If you follow my blog you will know that not long ago I went fruit picking, I did get slightly carried away on the raspberry front though and had far too many for eating so I decided to get a little creative and whip up a delicious summer beverage. You could easily do this with shop bought lemonade or you could make a homemade one with sugar, water and lemons. All you need in raspberries and basil. Crush your raspberries slightly and add all ingredients together in a bottle. Your lemonade will soon turn into a beautiful bright pink liquid that tastes incredible, the basil adds a lovely flavour. I found it wasn't as fizzy as normal lemonade, and poured over ice it made more of a refreshing summer drink.

Will you be trying this out?

You Can Find Me in the Lanes.....

Once again I've taken far too many photos and can't seem to cut any out of this post! As I mentioned in my post about Brighton I did a fair bit of shopping in the famous Lanes recently... 

The North Laines are full of lovely Vintage thrift stores if that kinda stuff is your cuppa tea, Snoopers Paradise is a haven for gorgeous pieces of Jewellery, clothing, and all sorts of beautifully restored furniture. I could really spend hours in here, my favourite part being the painted stairs (I will recreate this one day)

£5 for a Hawaiian shirt!! How are more men not rocking this amazing look!

Stunning decorations all over the place at Snoopers Attic and just look at this magical staircase.....

The wonderful Beyond Retro where I purchased a lovely Vintage floral playsuit and a pretty flower crown to add to my ever growing collection. This place is just perfect... I always find something that I want to take home with me, the selection of men and women's clothes, shoes, bags etc is huge. The prices are really good as well.

 I think I need to start saving again for my next trip!!

Danielle