Batman Cave Ice-cream Cake

This worked out really well. Thankfully when I asked my godson what cake he would like this year for his birthday he chose an easy one … ice-cream cake! I broke my leg in June so being in a cast stopped all baking and use of oven unfortunately.
I took the easy option this time round, rather than making my own ice-cream (which I usually would do) I bought a block, plonked it down on a board, scooped out a section (for cave effect) and plonked it on top of the block and then covered it with my already rolled black icing. Yes, that simple!
Before I took the ice-cream out of the freezer, I prepared the rolled icing in different colours. I covered the board with green grass and a grayish/black path. I made little pebbles for interest and made trees along the side and bats to place on the cave.
As part of his gift I bought a batman as I knew he'd prefer the toy rather than an iced version longterm. Batman was placed running out of the cave.

Aisling's Sleepover Rocky Road

Made with Aunty Geraldine for her sleepover on 22^nd August 2013

 Gather your ingredients Chocolate buttons, Moro (a complete must!!), Crunchie, Mars Bar, Marietta biscuits, Malteesers, Caramel Disks, Smarties and whatever else you would like to put in!

First melt the chocolate buttons. Then ...

 ...while it is melting put all the other ingredients in a bowl. Break them, crush them, pour them into the dish depending on what you are putting in. (I leave the Malteesers and Smarties whole.)

Cover and place in the fridge until it is set.

 Don't forget to lick the spoon!! Teeheehee!

When it is ready, take it out of the fridge, cut into pieces and ENJOY!

Time for Cake!!

One of my specialties is to bake shaped cakes. I just made a Skyscraper cake out of Marsbar Squares recipe for my Godsons birthday (last two pics using caramel, white chocolate and fruit flavoured cake decorating tubes for details) but usually I make a basic sponge cake and decorate with a butter icing and treats (all the other creations).  I've made many over the years but these have to be a few of my favourites:

My Butter Icing:
Mix well, 250g butter, 450g sifted icing sugar, 60ml milk.
I add food colouring when needed. (If using a liquid colour then use less milk)

Liam's 3rd Birthday

Vivienne's Birthday Cake

Aoife's 1st Birthday

Aoife's 2nd Birthday

Nutella Delights

It's about time I added another recipe ... BUSY MONTH

Here's an easy chocolatey bite

8oz nutella
5oz flour
2 eggs

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Combine the ingredients, mixing thoroughly, in a bowl.
3. Divide into bun cases and bake in the oven for 10 minutes (if even).

That is seriously it.

Sometimes for extra indulgence I'll pop a dollop of Nutella on top either after they've cooled or just as they're out of the oven if eating warm immediately. DIVINE

Other option, if I bake them to bring along to something, is to put a few flaked almonds on top before going into oven. Tastes delicious too but also is a good heads-up to anyone with a nut allergy.

Mini Apple Rose Tart

Today I got it in my head to try make a rose out of apples and pastry. It's very finiky but I was happy with the overall effect.

 I chose Gala Apples as I liked the reddish colour for the rose effect. Pink Ladies also work really well.

1. Cut the apples into thin segments.
2. Soak them in ginger ale.
3. Roll out pastry (I was lazy and bought the ready made roll out shortcrust) and cut into long strips.
4. Melt a little butter in a frying pan on a gentle heat.
5. Dry apples with paper towel and place carefully in pan - not overlapping each other.
6. Sprinkle with a teeny bit of sugar if you wish but I found they didn't really need it thanks to the ginger ale.
7. Take a strip of pastry and place apple segments along the strip, overlapping them a little.
8. Leave one end with pastry over and start rolling from that end carefully gathering the apples along the way. At times the apples poked out but I gently encouraged them back in!
9. Beat an egg and brush over the rose gently.
10. Place on a baking tray with grease proof paper on it and bake in oven for 15 minutes.

...et voilà!

Snaps!

   

My Especially Good Mars Bar Squares!

Yes, these are particularly delicious ... must be thanks to all the fattening butter and the magic touch is the right chocolate covering!!

What you need:

Mars Bars (6x65g bars)

200g of butter

200g Rice Crispies

250g Lindt Milk Chocolate

What you do:

1. Cut the butter and Mars Bars into small chunks and place in a saucepan. 
2. Put it over a low heat and whisk (important to whisk, not stir with spoon) until melted. 
3. Add the Mars Bars/butter mixture to the Rice Crispies in a large bowl.
4. Stir well until all the ingredients are combined.
5. Put into a tin or dish and press down with the palm of your hand until firm.
6. Melt one bar (100g) of chocolate either in a microwave or over a saucepan of simmering water.
7. Pour over the squares. Don't worry if it seeps a little the next step resolves that!
8. Melt the rest of the chocolate, (sometimes when I feel gluttonous I melt 200g here instead of the remaining 150g) spread evenly and leave to set.
9. When set, turn out on a board and cut into squares.