Cakes of 2013



An old post I found in my drafts, written last year, and referring to the cakes of 2013, I thought it was still worth publishing. Apologies for the time delay:

 

I made a few cakes last year, and didn't have time to blog about them at the time. I thought a nice way to recap on a year where I didn't have much time to blog about anything really, was to revisit the cakes of 2013. Each of these cakes was for a birthday.

 

 

Blossom was born in January, but since she hasn't had a birthday yet, Poppet's birthday was the first for us, in May. Poppet requested a butterfly ice cream cake. We have a local cake shop that hires out cake tins in almost any shape or character imaginable for $5.95 overnight. I had no idea how I would shape an ice cream cake and not have it melt in the process, so I decided to hire a tin. I didn't have my ice cream machine in May, so I used

 

 

 

Here is the egg- and dairy-free "butter" cake that I made for a friend's little girl. 

 

I've heard a theory suggesting that anything you eat on your birthday is calorie free. I sure hope that's the case, because I'm sure the calorific content of the cake I made for my own birthday could have sustained a family of four for a year. I used Celia's chocolate slab cake recipe, which in itself is rich and moreish, and I sandwiched

In September, we invited my brother-in-law and his new wife over to celebrate her birthday. I have mixed feelings about birthday presents. I don't see the point in buying someone something they don't really want, just to give them a present, but I will happily make anyone a cake of their choice. This year the birthday girl requested a flourless chocolate orange cake. I had never made on before so readily accepted the challenge. Google led me to Nigella Lawson's recipe. I topped it with a very evil chocolate ganache and wow, this was such a delicious cake, the 2 hours of cooking an orange on the stovetop was well worth it! Unfortunately the only photo I got was an out of focus last minute shot before this cake was devoured.

Hubby turned 31 this year, and he is a bit partial to a cheesecake. On his birthday he chose to celebrate by concreting the floor in the newly built shed. This involved about 6 family and friends, an equal number of wheelbarrows and two giant trucks of concrete. To feed the starving masses, and to remind Hubby that it was in fact his birthday, I made this passionfruit cheesecake.

Unfortunately, I can't lay claim to this next cake. This dense chocolate cake with white chocolate ganache icing was professionally made for my niece's 18th birthday. It looked and tasted divine and thought I'd include it because it was just so pretty.

Desperate times call for: Hedgehog Slice

This morning I made the decision to get my hair cut. There are a couple of those "take-a-ticket" options at my local shopping centre so I kitted the girls up with some colouring books, crayons and snacks and decided to just do it. I had Poppet in the pram to avoid havoc in the salon, and to provide a storage place for all the things we seem to need to take on even the simplest of trips, so armed with my ammunition I boldly approached the counter to take my ticket. Before I had a chance to state my business, the hairdresser behind the counter quickly informed me that I couldn't take the pram in, and there was clearly no place for it (or my children). The girls were disappointed that they weren't able to sit and explore their new colouring books, and I was heartbroken. That woman had no idea what kind of hormones she had messed with. I expressed my disappointment then turned the pram and walked down the mall with unfortunate tears welling up. Who cries because they can't take a pram into a store? Really? A crazy pregnant woman, that's who! I did the rest of my shopping as quickly as I could and came home. This occasion called for one thing and one thing only. Hedgehog slice.

This no-bake recipe is adapted from one I found on Kidspot, and preparation began as soon as I walked in the door.

250g packet plain biscuits
¾ cup almonds (I used blanched)
1 cup sultanas
120g butter
100g raw sugar (caster sugar would be better but I was out)
2 tbsp cocoa (dutch processed)
2 tbsp dessicated coconut
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg, lightly beaten

Icing
1½ cups icing sugar
2 tbsp cocoa
2-3 tbsp water
hundreds and thousands

1. Whiz biscuits and almonds in a food processor, leaving some lumps. 
2. Add sultanas, cocoa and coconut. Stir to combine.
3. Place butter, sugar and vanilla in a small saucepan and stir until butter has melted and sugar has dissolved. 
4. Add butter mix to dry ingredients and mix, then stir in the egg.
5. Press into a lined 20cm x 20cm tin. Wet fingers will help this.
6. To make icing, combine icing sugar and cocoa, then add as much water is needed to form a spreadable paste. 
7. Spread icing over slice (this will be difficult if the icing is too thick), sprinkle with hundreds and thousands (or not if you don't like them) and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours. Slice in the tin.

 

I haven't eaten hedgehog slice in years, but this looks just like the stuff I remember from bakeries as a kid. My complete chocolate ban of last week resulted in a successful addiction break, so I have relaxed the rule to allow chocolate on the weekend. I don't remember saying anything about cocoa though, and it is Hump Day. Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope you, like me, have found something to make this Hump Day a bit brighter.