tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65421023688223262992024-03-19T03:34:23.821+00:00Becca BakesBecca Bakes is a Dundee, Scotland baking blog and home to Becca Bakes custom made cakes, cupcakes, traybakes and cupcake decorating parties.Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.comBlogger328125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-78205866217058072572021-12-31T11:48:00.000+00:002021-12-31T11:48:35.196+00:00Covering each other with terms and conditions<p>I haven't had these all written down before - but you know the drill, they basically say that we'll respect one another, communicate clearly and pay on time. I have been blessed to have been really rather busy baking for all you wonderful people this last year or three, and this was suggested to protect us both. Although to be fair, we have never had an issue - fingers crossed we continue to do business well into the future. Thank you all so much for supporting my small business, I really appreciate you :)</p><p><br /></p><p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Raleway; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Becca Bakes - Dundee</span></u></b><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><br />
<br />
Standard Terms and Conditions of Trading<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></strong><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">These terms form
the basis of the contract between our customer and Becca Bakes. These Terms,
your Order and your Order confirmation are considered by us to set out the
whole agreement between you and us for the sale of cakes. It is your
responsibility to check all details in the order confirmation are complete and
accurate as this is the document we work to when completing your order.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Basis of Sale<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<!--[endif]--></span></strong><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Any samples,
drawings, or descriptions we issue, and any descriptions or illustrations
contained on our website and social media are issued solely to provide you with
an approximate idea of the cakes they describe and remain the property of Becca
Bakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Quotations are
valid for a period of 30 calendar days from the day of issue. Cake sizes quoted
are in inches and are based on the diameter of the cake. Cakes are around 3 1/2
to 4 inches deep as standard.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">No contract is
made with you until we have received your booking fee. Once your booking fee
has been received you are in a legally binding contract with Becca Bakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The Cakes (cupcakes, traybakes)<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></strong><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">We warrant that
on delivery or collection the Cakes shall conform to their description as set
out in the Order Confirmation, be of satisfactory quality and comply with all
food safety, statutory and regulatory requirements in the UK. We will not be
held responsible for customer disappointment of the design or the
interpretation of the cake as long as it is made in line with the customer’s pre
agreed requirements set out in the order confirmation and will face no
consequent liability. It is the customers responsibility to ensure all details
within the order confirmation and sketch are correct and meet their exact
requirements.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">The warranty does
not apply to any defect in the Cakes arising from wilful damage, accident,
negligence by you or any third party, if you use the cake in a way we do not
recommend, your failure to follow our instructions or any alterations you carry
out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Our cakes are made
in an environment where nuts, egg, milk, gluten and other allergens are
present. We cannot guarantee that any cake is entirely nut free although we
make every effort to ensure that allergies are accommodated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">We cannot
guarantee an exact replica of any cake, but we will do our best to make it so.
Where colour swatches are provided, we will do our best to match as close as we
deem possible. Exact colour matches are not guaranteed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">From time to
time certain materials for our cakes may become obsolete. This is totally out
of our control; however, we will do our best to select replacement products to
reflect the original design as closely as possible. We reserve the right to
replace items with component parts of equal or better quality without
consultation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">The cake is a
fresh product containing no additives or preservatives and it is our right to
assume consumption on the day requested. Cakes should be stored in a dry place,
at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat in the box
provided. They should NOT be refrigerated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Becca Bakes and
the customer expressly agree that the cakes and all goods purchased from Becca
Bakes remain the property of Becca Bakes until paid for in full.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Delivery and Collection<br />
<br />
</span></strong><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">All orders may be collected free of charge from Becca Bakes by
prior arrangement. We accept no responsibility for any damage sustained to the
cake once it has left the premises.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">If delivery has
been requested, we will deliver the cake on the day set out in the order
confirmation to the address provided. Becca Bakes will always do the best it
can to ensure delivery dates and times agreed are achieved for the provision of
the goods or services however the Company cannot accept liability for delays
and time shall not be of the essence.<br />
<br />
If the delivery address changes after the order has been confirmed additional
charges may be added to cover extra mileage. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Once the cake
has been delivered, we are unable to accept and liability for any damage
sustained to the cake thereafter nor any failure to follow the instructions
provided.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Price and Payment<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">The price of
your cake/cupcakes will be as set out in your order confirmation. No Vat is
payable on the cakes. A minimum 40% booking fee is required if payment cannot
be made in full at time of order, for all cakes. No further payment reminders
will be sent, and it is the responsibility of the client to ensure payment is
on time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Please note all
booking fees are non-refundable.<br />
<br />
The balance must be paid in cleared monies no later than the date set out in
the order confirmation by bank transfer to the account specified, or Paypal. Late
payments will incur a £5 charge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">If payment is
not received by the date specified this shall be constituted as breach of
contract by the client. We reserve the right to hold the order until payment is
made in full. When payment is late, we accept no responsibility should we be
unable to purchase the required stock or equipment to make the cake as laid out
in the order confirmation. In these circumstances the cake will be made as
close to the order confirmation as possible with no redress or liability on Becca
Bakes.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: Raleway; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Cancellation, postponement and
alterations<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span></strong><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">In the event of
a cancellation by yourselves, charges are as follows;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">7 to 14 days
prior to the date = booking fee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Less than one
calendar week prior to the date = full amount<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Any booking fees
previously paid are non-refundable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">You may, prior
to 4 days for celebration cup/cakes, amend your order by providing us with
written notice. In the case of alterations, a new order confirmation will be
issued detailing the changes and the new cost. Alterations are not confirmed
until a new order confirmation has been issued. Should you make any changes
after the time scale stipulated above there will be no reduction in the price
you pay, even if your new design is cheaper than the original booking.<br />
<br />
If for any reason you fail to collect your cake order, we reserve the right to
take action to recover any balances outstanding. <br />
<br />
Becca Bakes reserves the right to cancel, vary or suspend the operation of this
contract if events occur which are in the nature of force majeure including
(without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing): fire, floods, storm,
plant breakdown, strike, lock outs, riot, hostilities, non-availability of
materials or supplies or any other event outside the control of Becca Bakes,
and Becca Bakes shall not be liable for any breach of contract resulting
from such an event. In this situation we will provide you with written notice
and any booking fees paid are non-refundable and we refer to our cancellation
policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Becca Bakes’
liability (both in contract and tort) in respect of defects in goods or
services shall be limited to the issue of a credit note in respect thereof or
granting a refund or other such compensatory measures as Becca Bakes, at its
discretion, considers appropriate in the circumstances and shall be limited to
the to the value of the goods or services giving rise to the claim.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Becca Bakes shall
not under any circumstances be liable for the customer respect of indirect
consequential loss or damage or loss of profits, provided always that these
conditions do not exclude or restrict Becca Bakes’ statutory liability for
death or personal injury arising from any negligence on Becca Bakes’ part
or liability imposed by statutory implied terms in Consumer Contracts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">Complaints </span></strong><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">–<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Complaints are
very rare and due to the amount of work put into each individual cake we take
them very seriously. Any issues must be brought to our attention within 48
hours of collection or delivery to give fair opportunity to assess the nature
of the complaint.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Both Parties
agree to not post any negative information about the other arising out of this
Contract or Event on any online forum or website without providing advance
written notice of the intended content thereof and providing the other party
with a prior opportunity to resolve any issues between the parties amicably.<br />
</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Complaints
regarding the decoration of celebration cup/cake can be easily repaired so
errors of this nature must be pointed out upon delivery/collection so as to
give us the opportunity to correct them. Once payment has been handed over this
confirms that decoration is as requested, and no further claims can be made<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Where the
complaint is in regard to the quality of the cake/cupcakes then the cake, or
remainder of the order, must be returned to us as soon as possible after
cutting and within 48 hours of collection/delivery to ensure that we are able
to fairly assess the nature of the complaint.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">Please note we
can only deal with the client who placed the original order.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">General Terms<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">All designs and
intellectual property rights remain the property of Becca Bakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">We reserve the
right to use images of your cake for any form of advertising including web-based
promotions, brochures, galleries and competitions. It is advisable that you
make a copy of all documentation received from Becca Bakes for your own
benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">This Agreement
together with Order Confirmation documents provided constitute the entire
agreement and understanding between the parties relating to the order. Except
as may be expressly stated in this Agreement, it supersedes and cancels all
prior agreements, statements, representations, understandings, negotiations and
discussions, whether oral or written, between the parties. Each of the parties
acknowledges and agrees that in entering into this Agreement it does not rely
on any statement, representation, warranty or understanding made prior to this
Agreement save to the extent that such statement, representation, warranty or
understanding is incorporated into this Agreement. Each of the parties
acknowledges and agrees that in entering into this Agreement it has not relied
on (or has been induced to enter into this Agreement by) any statement,
representation, warranty or understanding made prior to this Agreement. Nothing
in this paragraph excludes any liability for fraudulent misrepresentation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">In the event
that any one or more such provisions of this Agreement should be deemed to be
invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect
the validity and enforceability of the remaining valid and enforceable
provisions thereof which shall be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable
provisions had not been inserted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">The parties
agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English and Scottish
courts. Any headings utilised in this Agreement have been inserted for the
convenience of reference only and should in no way restrict or otherwise affect
the construction of the terms and conditions hereof.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 15.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #63666a; font-family: Raleway; letter-spacing: .35pt;">27.12.2021<o:p></o:p></span></p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-16931190789453260752020-07-05T11:24:00.001+01:002020-07-05T11:24:57.081+01:00I've been baking for years, and the council approve<font face="verdana">I've noticed a lot of new home bakeries have opened up locally over this Covid-19 lockdown period. You've probably seen them on Facebook too, offering delicious looking cupcakes, celebrations cakes, cheesecakes and cookies, sometimes with prices that are really good. But do you know what you're buying, really? Does the baker know about food hygiene and safety? Has their business been registered with HMRC, and inspected and approved by the Environmental Health department of the local council?</font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIkr3LkXutXeLy4h3IzGdCvzcQeNm5Pp8Mpkbun442E2IgS-tVkvNziFuDqV5dJ9IAfH_biDphF4t_qphvQGC33Xh4F6AkP_IvUTyEm3Mc6pQHH8O0VR7YCKv3UJcJdfO0SAZDBlAWi1S/s3500/IMG_20190511_183318_921000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font face="verdana"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="3500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIkr3LkXutXeLy4h3IzGdCvzcQeNm5Pp8Mpkbun442E2IgS-tVkvNziFuDqV5dJ9IAfH_biDphF4t_qphvQGC33Xh4F6AkP_IvUTyEm3Mc6pQHH8O0VR7YCKv3UJcJdfO0SAZDBlAWi1S/s320/IMG_20190511_183318_921000.jpg" /></font></a></div><div><font face="verdana">When buying from us, an item such as this Rocky Road tray bake, you can rest assured that we are both registed and <a href="https://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/business/becca-bakes--1156569.html">approved</a> by the relevant bodies and have had all the necessary food hygiene and safety training, with certificates to prove it. Plus we've been <a href="https://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/business/becca-bakes--1156569.html">approved</a> by the city council. So you can enjoy your delicious looking and tasty treats and feel good :)</font></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-16819259954502517122020-07-01T16:36:00.000+01:002020-07-01T16:36:50.226+01:00Cupcakes for covid heroes<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4zDksmE6IH9Mt4R4J2GZkFsHhVnu7syrPxZ01y9q2gzsFiDId1Hx4gukGxq7bZFuwXlLdYukNKEVsjC-HVYigdGHfZos0GA35XNNCTfjYmKRNltL0uWYyYY0rfodG917hvfYZguvVURy/s3500/IMG_20200521_102551_436000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="3500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4zDksmE6IH9Mt4R4J2GZkFsHhVnu7syrPxZ01y9q2gzsFiDId1Hx4gukGxq7bZFuwXlLdYukNKEVsjC-HVYigdGHfZos0GA35XNNCTfjYmKRNltL0uWYyYY0rfodG917hvfYZguvVURy/s320/IMG_20200521_102551_436000.jpg" /></a></div><font face="verdana"><div style="text-align: justify;">When Scotland went into lockdown on March 23 2020, who knew it would last over 100 days? We had no idea who would play such an important role in keeping the country running, and keeping public services ticking over. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">So when I had the chance to bake, decorate and gift some thank you cupcakes to some of our local keyworkers, I was happy to be able to spread joy. These were loved by the pharmacy team back in May, and the happy spring colours of the personalised toppers made me smile. What do you think, do happy colours make the food taste better?</div></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI17ZFqt2KWl4jHauxzQsXXLz-cQzDeiVrhrGa8sdHA-Ph5yzH0hqK1_3AwDXnYvK12h4a9h547qxVs5BtJfvk3B1qqX5-eMQaODhCSdfWGud4_2bWsuw7_nR-QGhabW6ATOXS_wfiCpJX/s3500/IMG_20200521_102657_614000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="3500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI17ZFqt2KWl4jHauxzQsXXLz-cQzDeiVrhrGa8sdHA-Ph5yzH0hqK1_3AwDXnYvK12h4a9h547qxVs5BtJfvk3B1qqX5-eMQaODhCSdfWGud4_2bWsuw7_nR-QGhabW6ATOXS_wfiCpJX/s320/IMG_20200521_102657_614000.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyxYClFZ4PmItaNF4XcSmfKAsgrARo-ZUjJOdXUAsIV1y5IliXfw2umkZk7WBD578TJDwD9HO7Yd3ERjO3Rp7nVq75aTqDeLHrsOpgZ-5r4l01_vdv-jABBstTpPR0R8ojy8YfKMuGpqQ/s3500/IMG_20200521_102724_359000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="3500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyxYClFZ4PmItaNF4XcSmfKAsgrARo-ZUjJOdXUAsIV1y5IliXfw2umkZk7WBD578TJDwD9HO7Yd3ERjO3Rp7nVq75aTqDeLHrsOpgZ-5r4l01_vdv-jABBstTpPR0R8ojy8YfKMuGpqQ/s320/IMG_20200521_102724_359000.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-25886154787294558912020-03-01T15:38:00.000+00:002020-03-01T16:48:34.533+00:00Three best rated award<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://threebestrated.co.uk/cakes-in-dundee" style="border: 0; display: inline-block;"><img alt="Best Cake makers in Dundee" src="https://threebestrated.co.uk/awards/cake_makers-dundee-2020-clr.svg" style="display: block; width: 250px;" width="250" /></a></center>
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What a treat it was to receive this information :) They tell me it's due to web information clarity, customer feedback and reviews received, so thank you all so much. If you've eaten one of our cakes or treats, feel free to leave us a review whereever you can, Facebook, <a href="https://g.page/r/CUTTK2NpDh4PEAg/review">Google</a> or similar. Thank you. You can check out the listing <a href="https://threebestrated.co.uk/cakes-in-dundee">here</a> on the Three Best Rated site showing the analytics they used, and see our food hygiene pass <a href="https://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk/business/becca-bakes--1156569.html">here</a><br />
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<a href="https://threebestrated.co.uk/cakes-in-dundee" style="border: 0; display: inline-block;"><img alt="Best Cake makers in Dundee" src="https://threebestrated.co.uk/awards/cake_makers-dundee-2019-clr.svg" style="display: block; width: 250px;" width="250" /></a></center>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-6396630409831393532020-03-01T14:56:00.000+00:002020-03-01T14:58:22.778+00:00I'm still baking, just not blogging regularly<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hey everyone, long time no chat. I'm still here, and still baking as often as time allows. But my job hours increased 3 or so years ago and I moved location 2 years ago, and that means less time for baking. And the kids are growing at an alarming rate (actually, at the same rate as everyone else's children, it's just that the weeks and months seem to rush past in a blur of activity these days) and have multiple extra-curricular activities, and homework and social lives and well, you know how that season goes.<br />
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It's way faster to pop a quick photo and a few lines on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/beccabakes2">Facebook</a> than it is to write up a blog entry, so my page is up to date with the last few years activity - all neatly in albums for you to peruse at your leisure.<br />
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So thank you for your continued interest, it's very much appreciated. Come see me over on Facebook if you have a moment, you know you want to see what I've been doing.</div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-34968995212338370582016-04-25T10:49:00.000+01:002016-04-25T10:49:11.821+01:00Anzac Slice with chocolate chips<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been taking part in the super fun <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/">Fat Mum Slim</a> <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/april-photo-a-day-challenge-2016/">365 photo a day challenge</a> for nearly 1.5 years now, where you post a photo to your <a href="https://www.instagram.com/beccabakes2/">Instagram account</a> according to the theme set out for that day. You attach the relevant hashtag so other participants can find you and then you enjoy seeing everyone else's interpretation of the prompt.<br />
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You may be wondering what this has to do with my baking, but bear with me. The lady who is Fat Mum Slim is Australian, and she recently was pleased to take part in something or other to commemorate Anzac Day today, and she also posted a recipe for and <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/anzac-slice-recipe-with-choc-chips/">Anzac Slice with chocolate chips</a> that sounded both tasty and easy. So I made it.<br />
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The recipe was really easy and straightforward to follow, and before long I was at the stage of putting the slice in the oven.<br />
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As you can see from the before photos, I may not have waited quite the full 15 minutes she recommended, because some of my chocolate chips are glistening from starting to melt. But I got it straight into the oven after this, just to be sure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiM8G4C3wkh7wT5zkgNCw-sBqeY0k8umuPYySqBbhRsuriGk-ws80ATmyu5TOjUpp_Vn1mcV_MXyn-jTybA3BgrA0If03FRNbAqM0lra_Kn41N3Sz8jHERUDm0Pccsu_emIuj6ElLvNqBZ/s1600/DSC_1801logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiM8G4C3wkh7wT5zkgNCw-sBqeY0k8umuPYySqBbhRsuriGk-ws80ATmyu5TOjUpp_Vn1mcV_MXyn-jTybA3BgrA0If03FRNbAqM0lra_Kn41N3Sz8jHERUDm0Pccsu_emIuj6ElLvNqBZ/s320/DSC_1801logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And took it out 27 minutes later - wow Becca Towers smelt great!!! They tasted amazing straight from the oven, warm and comforting and just the right mix between crunch and chewiness. But I left them to cool overnight, planning to take them in to colleagues the next day and by morning they had hardened up. The Team and I had to taste test them (again) obviously, and they were still fabulous but with a more solid and thus harder to initially bite into texture. </div>
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So next time I shall try them for only 24 minutes. Happy Anzac Day one and all. Lest we forget.</div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-64309986897984427362016-04-16T18:50:00.004+01:002020-03-03T19:09:05.210+00:00Mmm melting moments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We caught up with friends we hadn't seen in a while over these spring break school holidays. I have been a little less hectic with the baking, not baking so frequently as I used to because I'd been pulling longer shifts at work, and the kids are just as busy as ever with after-school clubs and activities. But these particular friends that were coming - well, their 13 year old was really getting into baking and I felt that I had to offer them something fresh and new as it was quite likely they'd bring along one of her treats.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8lViK8VcOmaB9pWlqHseGTpxH6VTOOBjvCqPRmvkzgm7uQL5AHPo7tFdleXWSpyNr5P9eBwwSqi1fS-65yHB1IZvZ_h197grbQYuk2I3mSNaD3ODSKcHrsrdSJaqlIzPR2tuA78LrRao/s1600/DSC_1741logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8lViK8VcOmaB9pWlqHseGTpxH6VTOOBjvCqPRmvkzgm7uQL5AHPo7tFdleXWSpyNr5P9eBwwSqi1fS-65yHB1IZvZ_h197grbQYuk2I3mSNaD3ODSKcHrsrdSJaqlIzPR2tuA78LrRao/s320/DSC_1741logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I decided to keep things simple and fun, and go for small individual servings rather than a large cake that may not get fully devoured when at its best. I chose Melting Moments - a sandwich biscuit well-loved but not often enjoyed from my youth - and even used an Australian recipe. Well, it had to be, didn't it?! </div>
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These beauties needed to have a particular consistency that melted in your mouth and crumbled slightly when you bit into them, but not so much that you lost all your biscuit at the first bite. So I was a little apprehensive as I started.</div>
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Following the recipe to the letter, they rolled into what looked like small cute balls of dough. I then flattened them with a glass and made indents with a fork.<br />
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So far, so good - they looked correct, or should I say, as I remembered. <span style="text-align: left;">Once out of the oven, they still looked pretty darn good but had spread a bit bigger. I hadn't bargained on that, so made a note on the recipe for the next time. Some were a cute 4.5cm in diameter but others were up to a centimetre larger. So I took note to choose similar sized ones to sandwich together.</span></div>
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I had some classic vanilla buttercream and also some rich, decadent chocolate buttercream waiting ready to fill them. Then I thought lemon would taste nice, so chose a lush lemon curd to add to some of the vanilla buttercream - mmm, great idea.</div>
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All the taste-testers were impressed, and I am pleased to say that this recipe tastes just like the ones I remember from cafes of my youth. And all 3 flavours worked really well - a definite recipe to keep.<br />
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-89177943677992190622016-04-14T10:47:00.000+01:002016-04-15T10:48:12.988+01:00Double chocolate chip cookies - afternoon tea winner!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's the second-last day of the spring school holidays here, and we've been busy with play dates (so much fun for me too, as it's too long between catch-ups for us Mums too), sports camp/classes, walks, arts and crafts, general outdoor play and so on. This week's gymnastics sports camp is getting them pretty tired, so when they asked to go out for afternoon tea today, I didn't really fancy it. Instead we went home and whipped up some super delicious <a href="https://www.hersheys.com/recipes/en_US/recipes/6713/double-peanut-butter-and-milk-chocolate-chip-cookies.html">double chocolate chip peanut butter cookies</a>.</div>
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But that will take ages, you might think. Well, kinda but not really, and it was much more fun and we knew exactly what we were eating. Mini-1 retired to the couch with her tablet computer and Mini-2 and I got started.</div>
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She's keen to be as grown-up and independent as possible, and has listened well on other baking projects, so enjoyed using the hand-mixer - but not cracking the egg. Why, you ask? Well, she didn't fancy washing her hands yet again, ha ha.<br />
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Two different types of chocolate chips were added - the recipe calls for peanut butter chips but a) we've used up all that we received from the USA a year or so ago, and b) we're kinda over them. Sorry to all our American friends out there. We'd love to try any other fancy chips you do, not butterscotch though please as we've had them too, but not pb any longer. No hurt feelings, right?<br />
Anyway, back to the cookies...<br />
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We chose to do just small cookies, with a spoon and knife for skill and cleanliness. We managed to get 40 small mounds of dough out of our mix and popped them in the oven. A scant 12 minutes later we had hot cookie heaven!!</div>
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I couldn't resist and tasted one just moments later - oh my!! So so good, crisp and crunchy, just the way I like them. When the kids came through, one had the great idea of sandwiching them with cookies and cream ice-cream to make a Choc Chip cookie Ice-cream Sandwich - oh yes please! </div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-66906017132986460842016-01-07T21:19:00.003+00:002016-01-07T21:19:38.333+00:00Nutella banana bread is to die for<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The girls love that I bake, and sometimes like to join in. So this Nutella Banana Bread was a special request for one of them. She remembered it from a few months back, and was sure it was to die for so wanted to have some more. <br />
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Personally I didn't remember it that way, but I'm not so keen on bananas as the kids are - though I am coming around to them slowly - but I do love chocolate, and Nutella. We always have some bananas in the house (and Nutella for that matter) because they're such a nutritious, healthy and handy snack to have, so this cake may well have been made with some slightly overripe bananas - it doesn't affect the taste or texture of the final bake so I think it's a great way to use them up.<br />
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I like chocolate (did I mention that?) so I added in some totally unnecessary chocolate chips to the mix.</div>
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Then drizzled over lots of melted Nutella, in the middle and on top.</div>
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And baked it.</div>
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And shared it round. Mmmm, that didn't last long (but it stayed deliciously moist while we had it). </div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-32681003145841264882016-01-06T20:51:00.000+00:002016-01-07T21:20:13.042+00:00Finishing a cake with buttercream petal icing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Although I work in a school, I'm not a teacher. I teach cupcake decorating as a paid hobby, and really enjoy it - so was thrilled to be asked to demostrate a finishing technique to a senior class of Cake Decorating pupils in the Home Economics Department.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I thought I may as well make the cake fun to eat, so coloured the dough and attempted the zebra interior again, this time in pink and white. I wasn't sure who exactly would eat it, but they may as well enjoy it, right?</span></div>
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I took the cake into school baked and cooled and with just the crumb coating on, to allow the pupils to see how I filled the piping bag and did the technique right from the start. I was a little bit nervous, as though I recognised some of the students from previous years, I was in a different class with a different teacher - and very aware that my method of information delivery was not a qualified-by-the-general-teaching-council one...</div>
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Nonetheless, the pupils seemed eager to have a go themselves, as with the amount of practice I've had at this particular finish, it probably didn't look that difficult to them. Until it was time to do it themselves - and didn't they do a great job? These are 16-17 year olds who have had a term or two of cake decorating and were becoming more and more confident with their skills. </div>
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We talked about how well they did, and if they didn't feel that they'd done as well, how they could fix that problem. <br />
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And when photographed from certain angles, no customer would notice the piping work that troubled them.<br />
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Hubby took the cake in to work the next day and by all reports it was demolished at morning tea and lunchtime! So success all round I would say, wouldn't you?<br />
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Hubby remembered to take a photo of the interior for me, so I could see if the zebra pattern worked - I don't know, what do you think? It's kinda hard to tell... :)</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-41506595296881092742015-09-27T20:27:00.000+01:002015-10-14T20:27:53.867+01:00Courgettes in a cake for Dundee Baking Club<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have baked cakes with vegetables in them before, most notably carrot cake, and a beetroot chocolate cake, and they have been delicious. I even bought a book a few years ago, all about cakes with vegetables and less sugar (I was going to name and give a link to that book, but for the life of me can't think what it's called. If I remember, I'll be sure to include it here), but don't think I've even cracked the spine on that one - perhaps don't tell Mr Becca.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHKkaLHkrTdA50Kl-8TiLhLSx9zj6ilnUwjP0kDM-pOxSl3ZcwqJNKKUExcoQzi2QZ1B7VZikEvoFgwpujLtW4xP_0_7P1ZxwIFn3EvsXBIk2AkSFl5PCu3P8WHpYzxQzMQvsfNY0rZ4A/s1600/DSC_5986logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHKkaLHkrTdA50Kl-8TiLhLSx9zj6ilnUwjP0kDM-pOxSl3ZcwqJNKKUExcoQzi2QZ1B7VZikEvoFgwpujLtW4xP_0_7P1ZxwIFn3EvsXBIk2AkSFl5PCu3P8WHpYzxQzMQvsfNY0rZ4A/s320/DSC_5986logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This recipe was for the first meeting of the newly re-branded Dundee Baking Club and the theme was Autumnal Bakes. As you may recall, about 4 years ago I founded the Dundee branch of the <a href="http://www.clandestinecakeclub.co.uk/">Clandestine Cake Club</a> with Jac from <a href="http://www.tinnedtomatoes.com/">Tinned Tomatoes</a>. We were very happy with our meetings and members and rolled happily along for quite some time. Stuart of <a href="http://www.cakeyboi.com/">Cakeyboi</a> joined us and together we ran it all enjoyably. Then we felt we wanted to bake other than just large cakes, so respectfully broke away and this cake was for our inaugural meeting. I like to bake big cakes, as our family has little appetite for them so baking for others means I get to taste a little but have the fun of the bake.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Ok2Igwz_tks9OC7Hd4hr3W1dO7GJlEWfuivskcQLhEW1x7FKcdELfSmqld90ngDBvBAwTcz6jWh0wyr_lmhI0PiF7y8wHugHFZB8bVSQYV_7DH0qs6Rd1wETzJj6NRfDxrFmqUl3u5E/s1600/DSC_5982logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5Ok2Igwz_tks9OC7Hd4hr3W1dO7GJlEWfuivskcQLhEW1x7FKcdELfSmqld90ngDBvBAwTcz6jWh0wyr_lmhI0PiF7y8wHugHFZB8bVSQYV_7DH0qs6Rd1wETzJj6NRfDxrFmqUl3u5E/s320/DSC_5982logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Above we see the grated courgette (or zucchini if you prefer), eggs, brown sugar, flour and spices.<br />
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And above here we see the disappointingly thin slivers of cake :( I don't know how you would feel with these layers, but I was seriously unimpressed at how little they rose in the baking process. I had double-checked the recipe quantities and method, in case I had done something wrong, but no. And my raising agent wasn't out of date or anything like that either...</div>
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So I made sure I had plenty of cinnamon flavoured buttercream icing and got to work. I dusted it all lightly with cinnamon and gold edible glitter spray, plus a dose of delicious walnuts and took it to the meeting.<br />
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Where I am pleased to report that it was gobbled up and no-one noticed that the layers were a little on the thin side. </div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-72945568759472957872015-09-24T14:34:00.003+01:002015-09-24T14:34:29.029+01:00Getting healthy with homemade granola bars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We are still trying to get to grips with the busier, or rather shorter, weekday mornings (and by we, I don't mean me). In an attempt to help The Team eat as well as they can in the short time available, I have been researching nutritious and delicious breakfast options, that aren't too time-consuming for me. And when I came across the Lisa of <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/">100 Days of Real Food</a>, I was pleased. Although the premise is wonderful, I didn't feel like it was something I could easily slot into our lives. But this <a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/04/recipe-granola-bars-cereal/">granola recipe</a>? For sure.</div>
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As it happens, we pretty much always have all those ingredients in the house at any given time, so it was really easy to get started.</div>
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A large bowl full of oats, coconut, seeds, raw cashews, raw brazil nuts, pine nuts, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg - mmm...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCa8UZSAH6ncxOtW_i45BJ8hUSxH8Acpjl_j59s0K7_5-eQojgPlIbqCncpst17RzlGXMEbevhMYu4JuQEFVpQvETJIxTWM_RhdPcl5b7rrt2ZbGPeLWxAZCfX4cGsQPoOj7z3kJhdGvn_/s1600/DSC_5917logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCa8UZSAH6ncxOtW_i45BJ8hUSxH8Acpjl_j59s0K7_5-eQojgPlIbqCncpst17RzlGXMEbevhMYu4JuQEFVpQvETJIxTWM_RhdPcl5b7rrt2ZbGPeLWxAZCfX4cGsQPoOj7z3kJhdGvn_/s320/DSC_5917logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here we can see the seeds were a mix of pumpkin and sunflower, and somewhere in there are the pine nuts, because I didn't have enough cashews and walnuts as per the recipe.</div>
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The melted butter and honey soaked in really quickly, so I had to get mixing fast!<br />
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There was so much mixture (the Americans seem to like making huge amounts of desserts at once) that I had to use my usual brownie tray (approx 20 x 30cm) plus an additional 20cm square tin. Although to be fair, the square tray had a thinner layer of mixture than the rectangular one.</div>
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And for future bakings, I would lower the recommended temperature and the time involved, as this seems a little dry and overdone to us. The honey seems to have made it an extra specially golden colour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr3ahgclzsJOVIqlTh2tF9SgDs8Vu1ARWaJjN6F24KzH1kr3oN_eX7Egywl5f1JYQVqi9cPiGVHW-CLrcZ0y9d2Sx2K_9imMKWbxAelP0mofV_OCqGjmY_Uet7i9PpcREP3atGofXorMn/s1600/DSC_5927logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtr3ahgclzsJOVIqlTh2tF9SgDs8Vu1ARWaJjN6F24KzH1kr3oN_eX7Egywl5f1JYQVqi9cPiGVHW-CLrcZ0y9d2Sx2K_9imMKWbxAelP0mofV_OCqGjmY_Uet7i9PpcREP3atGofXorMn/s320/DSC_5927logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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However, despite the slight dryness to taste, it's deliciously cripsy, smells wonderfully of honey and tastes great with all the different seeds and nuts in each mouthful! And it's lasting well in an airtight container, just perfect for afternoon tea or a quick bite in the mornings.</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-20176438550815107182015-09-12T21:00:00.000+01:002015-09-12T21:00:00.991+01:00Double chocolate chip brownies, just because she wanted to<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Now that school is in full-swing, and my hours at work have moved forward so that I start earlier, we are finding weekday mornings kinda tough. We all still wake at the same time as before, but now there's no leeway or spare time whatsoever, and we've had to learn to love the clock, not. If you aren't at the kitchen table and done with breakfast by 7.25am you miss out. Seriously. I've had to get creative with what can nourish the kids on the hop...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTIWEh5dGOARcfEKgtghgakiWNHKBcq-OeT7qqRWjz2N9qT_RNwUhTIuBWklYGAMU6TN829HyTBptC7XRfwhMmXQkah9StHLGMxvLaNsQbDxOkESQECPVAyDeMO5_SdVWJRHBVXAlyXaQ/s1600/DSC_5910logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTIWEh5dGOARcfEKgtghgakiWNHKBcq-OeT7qqRWjz2N9qT_RNwUhTIuBWklYGAMU6TN829HyTBptC7XRfwhMmXQkah9StHLGMxvLaNsQbDxOkESQECPVAyDeMO5_SdVWJRHBVXAlyXaQ/s320/DSC_5910logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And the afternoons aren't much better - between homework, chill time, swimming lessons, Brownies, Girl Guides, dancing class and gymnastics, there's little leeway there either. And we want to add ski lessons in to the mix, crazy!<br />
So when one of the kids expressed a desire to bake brownies, well, we had to look at the schedule! I felt bad about that, that we couldn't be a bit spontaneous, but I suppose that teaching them about commitments and responsibility will always be valuable. So when today dawned wet, and resolutely stayed that way all day - we knew it was time to indulge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja664J3jR9UutBOdwVn2oI2ZE8tTSxxzSCAag1uYE6iyfGqO29yxZhzZurw2KhJOPXBVgJBxnYW8xA26cLd1yLv7wbK6y671YxAWF9FPbwBHkPAnIHU-_tuNKNUq50-dXa_cVdDC78DLdM/s1600/DSC_5896logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja664J3jR9UutBOdwVn2oI2ZE8tTSxxzSCAag1uYE6iyfGqO29yxZhzZurw2KhJOPXBVgJBxnYW8xA26cLd1yLv7wbK6y671YxAWF9FPbwBHkPAnIHU-_tuNKNUq50-dXa_cVdDC78DLdM/s320/DSC_5896logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As with any good teaching opportunity, we got out the recipe and all our ingredients. Then started to prepare everything, so we would be ready to just toss them into the mixture at the appropriate time. White chocolate was chopped, eggs were cracked and mixed with vanilla extract, flour was sifted and so on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCZyo5ndAQh2sfAa7IZDN-Wh8bcWg_jVKQm5GDGnUqaKKRRYP1-S4BjZUXykDm3aRWLUQ6Vl_vRODSeQpwTJrpER1cxUXxPiZxDXEPefpc4pidmhh-_ZBR3ZsNqU1b8JYF-fZisUZ4F2Y/s1600/DSC_5898logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCZyo5ndAQh2sfAa7IZDN-Wh8bcWg_jVKQm5GDGnUqaKKRRYP1-S4BjZUXykDm3aRWLUQ6Vl_vRODSeQpwTJrpER1cxUXxPiZxDXEPefpc4pidmhh-_ZBR3ZsNqU1b8JYF-fZisUZ4F2Y/s320/DSC_5898logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As she is young and less experienced than myself, a lot of the white chocolate chunks melted when added to the brownie batter, so we quickly chopped some milk chocolate and sprinkled it over the top. Time was of the essence, so the next photo is of the tray in the oven (hence the darkness - also it's quite rich and chocolatey).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67_8se6QZHVISK0c1jdtqLkw2W85ZbNCbRSKQV0w0gW6Fg5MYUV3CUS43CDrZwg50DsCHilnpNHlq08z7UKbMdtZdmM33kYEvCHXIbu9t86QFcza9PxPoV8PmfeaVrcIRRoTy0DErFGf-/s1600/DSC_5900logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67_8se6QZHVISK0c1jdtqLkw2W85ZbNCbRSKQV0w0gW6Fg5MYUV3CUS43CDrZwg50DsCHilnpNHlq08z7UKbMdtZdmM33kYEvCHXIbu9t86QFcza9PxPoV8PmfeaVrcIRRoTy0DErFGf-/s320/DSC_5900logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was quite wobbly when the timer went off, so I left it another couple of minutes before I removed it to cool. We had started making it just before afternoon tea-time, so The Team were itching to try it! I cut it up straight away, and we all sampled it warm. We were impressed, but also confused because it seemed more cake-like than our fudgy brownie usually is. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiwsYV9Dkq2cgQBE_8QxQkfqbuJm-qGBAvRPgVkTzSc579PBJ1sERlXmbt1uELQMPfizEqDFUlh965tennAVzqBQYRgSoFXA36vywrOAM0dxr6nlQzxmP3ukUrRiz9msJYPXzKw9gJz5v/s1600/DSC_5903logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiwsYV9Dkq2cgQBE_8QxQkfqbuJm-qGBAvRPgVkTzSc579PBJ1sERlXmbt1uELQMPfizEqDFUlh965tennAVzqBQYRgSoFXA36vywrOAM0dxr6nlQzxmP3ukUrRiz9msJYPXzKw9gJz5v/s320/DSC_5903logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But after we'd had our warm fill, it got more brownie-like as it cooled, and by the time the photos were taken, it was perfect! Yummy, and the perfect rainy day activity treat.</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-45240877388488300032015-09-12T20:43:00.004+01:002015-09-12T20:43:40.730+01:00Cinnamon raisin bread, part-baked heaven<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Today dawned dark and wet. Autumn only officially started recently, and our summer was kinda non-existent - though we did have lots of lovely sunny dry days, just not high temperatures - but really? The sky was overcast and cloudy, and it was pouring with rain right from the get-go.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok-KTQQQZFD4lgSEHoUGfk1ShhN7bgNdAYpdtbpDz0DUFS3oSz-WdPy_sdP68FEdmksqNkzX3dGbjakCDrOaYRhxRRqa9P3rTCGOb09rDv84DRhtLC0Uq4zK5hj4_Da0lJdugKb0FU-YU/s1600/DSC_5894logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok-KTQQQZFD4lgSEHoUGfk1ShhN7bgNdAYpdtbpDz0DUFS3oSz-WdPy_sdP68FEdmksqNkzX3dGbjakCDrOaYRhxRRqa9P3rTCGOb09rDv84DRhtLC0Uq4zK5hj4_Da0lJdugKb0FU-YU/s320/DSC_5894logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lucky we had bought this part-baked, frozen loaf of cinnamon raisin bread a week or so ago! I have yet to try making bread (no, actually I probably have made some in the past, but not regularly), but we all love the part-baked options. Then you get the delicious smell of baking bread, the joy of warm crusty bread, and none of the waiting around.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYwA8r407sKhEUo4RukwnddgMeCIy9EL9ADTOn0I2awlyR3cEd7CtyFTY8kFjLAAT85s-f4F-6eFUul72QdV4pFOFIemhH1bepDDxD1OXxLfr8EbvflyAIKfAtj8UO7Rc-ZGQyAO2EJGY/s1600/DSC_5889logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYwA8r407sKhEUo4RukwnddgMeCIy9EL9ADTOn0I2awlyR3cEd7CtyFTY8kFjLAAT85s-f4F-6eFUul72QdV4pFOFIemhH1bepDDxD1OXxLfr8EbvflyAIKfAtj8UO7Rc-ZGQyAO2EJGY/s320/DSC_5889logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We found this in a freezer shop called <a href="http://www.farmfoods.co.uk/">Farmfoods</a>, and it's not widely known for its high-quality goods... So we were excited, but reservedly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FNjK4HunT-KGZOpMBi4BZxgrsIPu_bM1gl1iNMKbg3NMwBz8WqFKZNRF019rgbfBiMPug_HTHhFwwfg_HGjzN_Ht2MdKGi-5HqoslMc9eqADgRWa4CoEmh4xgmfMf4n0virrTr1JxB6k/s1600/DSC_5891logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FNjK4HunT-KGZOpMBi4BZxgrsIPu_bM1gl1iNMKbg3NMwBz8WqFKZNRF019rgbfBiMPug_HTHhFwwfg_HGjzN_Ht2MdKGi-5HqoslMc9eqADgRWa4CoEmh4xgmfMf4n0virrTr1JxB6k/s320/DSC_5891logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The loaf certainly looked good, and the instructions were simple and clear, just the way I like them. However, in future I shall turn the oven down slightly, and definitely leave the loaf in an extra 10 minutes. That's how much longer I had to cook it for it all to cook through. At the stated end-time, I cut a slice or two to check and the main body was still partly frozen! So in the end, it was over-done (read burnt) but the interior was cooked.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyDWaP4DKGSkua57BNvL24-4fnUhAZfGZIzWJ1kDgmk0cEW5kBNX2muewjldiMLcFNh-OD6Dc20WcSlj0P14awXUVJ2yCq6gDZyw2ndFSJtcZzIlKl0xCwV66KI3HN-peGZ_MQ1ERgO14/s1600/DSC_5895logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyDWaP4DKGSkua57BNvL24-4fnUhAZfGZIzWJ1kDgmk0cEW5kBNX2muewjldiMLcFNh-OD6Dc20WcSlj0P14awXUVJ2yCq6gDZyw2ndFSJtcZzIlKl0xCwV66KI3HN-peGZ_MQ1ERgO14/s320/DSC_5895logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Doesn't that look delicous?? Crusty exterior, soft warm interior, juicy raisins and slices of almond, with a hint of cinnamon throughout. Mmm, weekend treat extraodinaire!!</div>
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P.S. This post is not sponsored or endorsed by anyone, it's simply our familys take on a purchased bakery item :)</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-84608615831249923812015-09-06T15:40:00.000+01:002015-09-06T15:40:25.051+01:00Medical cupcakes for a new nurse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A repeat customer, who likes to challenge me, wanted a treat for a friend who had been accepted to study nursing at University. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpGv96vbJ1eYWqtgcdJNGX86-NXQLh21Zlq2LBjhRbmAxMQymX1ehJrHplegvc9SdvgPFlqBzqqVlaMliqKKJkToXBNujDY1BoXcsXlGxuvebjbYVsWF0fQHbnInzUP0mUcWF8IekLubg/s1600/medicalbb+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpGv96vbJ1eYWqtgcdJNGX86-NXQLh21Zlq2LBjhRbmAxMQymX1ehJrHplegvc9SdvgPFlqBzqqVlaMliqKKJkToXBNujDY1BoXcsXlGxuvebjbYVsWF0fQHbnInzUP0mUcWF8IekLubg/s320/medicalbb+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I was stumped initially, and she sent over some images for inspiration. They were great, and I agreed to the order as I had a two-week lead time. So plenty of time to practice and re-do anything necessary, ha ha.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwTFm4e4JKdoLggaL0m3T2qvx_hzRpZ7bnrD_0Qdp78XA5-_zYWmoAGbVuAWoxQR7Bjgmywn54qijBdg4eYpeT4SCNDdOozeAD2vvaSxIPWJW379L-VnJzQjCVRSuTryIr_eA_Hi2b8Wc/s1600/DSC_5857logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwTFm4e4JKdoLggaL0m3T2qvx_hzRpZ7bnrD_0Qdp78XA5-_zYWmoAGbVuAWoxQR7Bjgmywn54qijBdg4eYpeT4SCNDdOozeAD2vvaSxIPWJW379L-VnJzQjCVRSuTryIr_eA_Hi2b8Wc/s320/DSC_5857logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I made all the decorations in advance, so they would have time to harden. It would also give me time to re-do them if they didn't work out as I had imagined, or if they cracked while drying.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRpULET1SV3Vfs3waYYLx4HE3I7L1z7UUtNhliJThnMzHpFgXOimKvoeRxLGY90NIaltgSeyTl4XmBWCHa0W9SWZeaqLB_acTp_GQWY-06RFE27fAiWtlv-EC7um1kZT88SQVgYkTRmYn/s1600/DSC_5863logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuRpULET1SV3Vfs3waYYLx4HE3I7L1z7UUtNhliJThnMzHpFgXOimKvoeRxLGY90NIaltgSeyTl4XmBWCHa0W9SWZeaqLB_acTp_GQWY-06RFE27fAiWtlv-EC7um1kZT88SQVgYkTRmYn/s320/DSC_5863logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then the day before collection I baked up the Classic Vanilla cupcakes as required, so that they were as fresh as possible for the customer's friend.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxSdqMVT0O4Mv5agqeZccCYpppWDqMVGtdlvYLG4EI1lJD5_QmIToxE5gY_Uv8g4QXQ6mtB3xGzcjivLSE-4ydUS6Dqp0aXGv4pMef6LijkIHKV058sztk0kZSmW3m5Y-dnjKe_oUdpMZ/s1600/DSC_5866logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxSdqMVT0O4Mv5agqeZccCYpppWDqMVGtdlvYLG4EI1lJD5_QmIToxE5gY_Uv8g4QXQ6mtB3xGzcjivLSE-4ydUS6Dqp0aXGv4pMef6LijkIHKV058sztk0kZSmW3m5Y-dnjKe_oUdpMZ/s320/DSC_5866logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once sufficiently cooled they were iced in our signature Classic Vanilla buttercream icing, and the decorations carefully placed on top. Et voila, gorgeous cupcakes fit for a trainee nurse! Congratulations and enjoy!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRf3jKBeccFT4xKGha4C1Kon3C1ZFDWiZVXPnBaD6pTFDRejAPOQfTzijMemaKUxX6pTndVCvVbdhb8BszNiKr13QInR7yNwc4XBAlf1DLBEhiDAdpksJEADoezVsSeDsJvFVs9gZuThT/s1600/DSC_5867logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRf3jKBeccFT4xKGha4C1Kon3C1ZFDWiZVXPnBaD6pTFDRejAPOQfTzijMemaKUxX6pTndVCvVbdhb8BszNiKr13QInR7yNwc4XBAlf1DLBEhiDAdpksJEADoezVsSeDsJvFVs9gZuThT/s320/DSC_5867logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last few were a simpler design, but still along the medical theme.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyqARLv3D89cPzW7kOZ3fW-VBivsiDS3aYIV3lIcM1Oj0MYPXDYHz7y6Cuna36G1OkqL1JiceA8DjsMBSwYY6vj5E2QXAxMlWAhhxi0phJ5IKjea2jMwMHWdNv2NxO0gDFpNzVGsTSIXl/s1600/DSC_5870logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyqARLv3D89cPzW7kOZ3fW-VBivsiDS3aYIV3lIcM1Oj0MYPXDYHz7y6Cuna36G1OkqL1JiceA8DjsMBSwYY6vj5E2QXAxMlWAhhxi0phJ5IKjea2jMwMHWdNv2NxO0gDFpNzVGsTSIXl/s320/DSC_5870logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a collage view, that I posted to my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/beccabakes2">Facebook page</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwv-YJAm4WVKmQ5JwIf47MxYPy6STOzOOIQEyvBu2oNHufUr4RiEQxXU0U0f0IY7YlxnhvdzAOXMcq1ZxszXd_QE-uenHma-gGn1O3k_0w4CM1MvE0QE7Pjbl7cyaP3YWuwK9cG5ug4htn/s1600/medicalbb+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwv-YJAm4WVKmQ5JwIf47MxYPy6STOzOOIQEyvBu2oNHufUr4RiEQxXU0U0f0IY7YlxnhvdzAOXMcq1ZxszXd_QE-uenHma-gGn1O3k_0w4CM1MvE0QE7Pjbl7cyaP3YWuwK9cG5ug4htn/s320/medicalbb+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-74603314677171067292015-08-22T21:14:00.001+01:002015-08-22T21:14:01.673+01:00Peanut butter choc chip banana cookies, or how to use up bananas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As usual, I am way behind in updating you with all the baking that's been going on here at Becca Towers over the last few months. I always meant, right from the outset, to blog at the very least weekly so that you would have an idea of how often and what types of things we were baking in the The Kitchen. But then things happen - kids have toddler groups, and then school and after-school activities, and playdates and so on, and updating the blog with all the info and photos on the computer gets moved to the bottom of the priority list. It's not that it's not important, just not in the same league as getting name tags sewn on to clothes, or organising gym kits, or swimming lessons and so forth.</div>
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So there's another baking blogger I like to read, <a href="http://www.rosebakes.com/">Rose Bakes</a>, and she has much the same issues in her blogging life - she bakes more often than I, and homeschools her 6 kids, so is even busier than me. I think she just doesn't sleep, otherwise how does she manage? :) So anyway, she is honest and just blogs a post and says 'Oh, I made these last October...' so I think I may head along that path... What do you think??</div>
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But just to mix things up a bit, I have a bit of time now so I'm going to quickly tell you about the cookies that Mini-2 and I made a few hours ago!! School resumed after our lovely long and busy 6 week summer holidays this week, and Mini-2 had asked to make (or technically, eat) some chocolate chip cookies. Then <a href="http://www.ebay.com/gds/Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Banana-Cookies-/10000000205649421/g.html?roken2=ti.pVHJpc2ggUm9zZW5xdWlzdA==">this recipe</a> popped up on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beccabakes2">Facebook</a> newsfeed and I was sold. I mean, don't you always have one or two slightly overripe bananas in the house? No? Oh, just me then, ha ha.</div>
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It's been many years that I've been baking regularly, and if you've been following the blog or my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/beccabakes2">Facebook page</a>, you'll recall that Mini-1 is bored of cake - won't even eat it if she's away from home - but Mini-2 still enjoys whatever I bake. She really enjoys helping too, whether it's baking or cooking we're doing (Mini-1 not so much). So here she is adding the flour mixture to the wet ingredients.</div>
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And this next shot is a gratuitous one really, just so we can see that she's grown, but still likes a wee helping hand to reach into the bowl more easily.</div>
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Once both the Reese's peanut butter chips (imported by a pupil from his family's holiday to Florida late last year) and chocolate chips were added the mixture had to be cooled.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">And thus we have the result - the first batch quite soft and golden-coloured (I didn't like those as much, but The Team preferred them) and subsequent batches more tanned and crunchy. A not too-strong taste of banana and I'd say we have a winner folks!! </span></div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-15053343128474564202015-05-02T21:11:00.000+01:002015-05-05T21:12:09.409+01:00Aunty Merle's shortbread<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We live in Scotland, and quite like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shortbread">shortbread</a>. It's rather a staple food here - the Scots invented it actually, so there are many good brands from which to choose in almost any shop you visit. However the last time I fancied eating some, I resisted the urge to buy some. You see, I remembered this wonderful recipe that my dear friend H had given to me, given to her by her Aunty Merle.</div>
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We had first tried it at her homestead in rural Victoria, Australia (as you do) and all loved it! I made it first a while back and it was nearly as good as hers, so I was determined to try again.</div>
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The recipe specified that the butter had to be cold, so I chopped it into little cubes and popped it in the food processor, as directed.</div>
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It didn't mix very well for a while, and I began to panic, as I couldn't telephone H for advice due to the time difference between Scotland and Australia. But luckily the batter 'took' and it all became one large lump of cookie dough quite soon. </div>
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I formed the batter into little balls, about the size of a <a href="http://www.lindt.co.uk/shop/our-brands/lindor">Lindor chocolate</a> (mmm, don't get me started on how delicious they are! Have you tried the new coconut one? Heaven). I had made a note on the recipe the last time that they would spread...</div>
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And they did. Ah well, life's tough sometimes, isn't it?! ha ha. These are probably a bit overdone, but they tasted so good, and lasted almost a week in the cake tin that none of us minded at all. I wonder how they'd taste if I flavoured them with something other than vanilla??? Yummy, thanks H</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-38893931424243679692015-05-01T18:58:00.000+01:002015-05-05T19:40:27.424+01:00Lemon and poppyseed cupcakes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As you may recall, I work as a Teaching Assistant in the Home Economics department of one of our city's high schools - a job I really enjoy (I love baking, almost did my teaching diploma after my Uni degree, and quite like kids too ;) ). So anyway, one of the classes we're teaching this year involves a food development unit. The pupils were told to think of an item they could make for sale in a coffee shop that would fit in well with the baked goods already on offer, but be new and different so as to encourage customers to buy it.</div>
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They brainstormed for a while, and we chatted about what might work and why. Then I was tasked with finding a lemon recipe that we could use in class - so it had to be easy enough for the pupils to do themselves, within the right timescale to fit into a period and with ingredients that we could easily purchase.</div>
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<a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/">BBC Good Food</a> to the rescue! I really like the huge range of tried and tested recipes they provide, plus the colours and photography are great. I find that the recipes usually work for me, so felt confident in looking for one there. I settled upon their <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/470636/lemon-and-poppyseed-cupcakes">Lemon & Poppyseed cupcakes</a>, and that choice was approved by my teacher - so we were good to go.</div>
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It started out well, one pupil in each team making the sponge, the other the icing. One pupil was alone, so I joined her and we worked together to get the cupcakes into the oven in time. And the result? Oh my, they were delicious!! </div>
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The buttercream was lemony and rich, not too sweet or tart, and the sponge was light and fluffy and had just the right amount of lemon zest. Mmm...</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-25354547137258010132015-04-24T17:02:00.000+01:002015-05-05T18:52:43.507+01:00Sugar cookies part 2 - birthday <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Those sugar cookies I made the other day were originally meant to be for this event - a couple of work colleague birthdays. I have a few different styles of plaque cookie cutter, and love to use them. The birthday recipients were all female, so I could have fun with the icing colours - I really like bright, happy colours and hoped they would too. </div>
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I used a number of different embossers, to change up the fonts a little, and the ladies all loved their little birthday package. One even took a photo, in case it got damaged in transit to her house to show her children, awww.....</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-55872040381256791832015-04-23T16:13:00.000+01:002015-05-04T17:01:57.178+01:00Sugar cookies part 1 - birds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There were some more work birthdays coming up, and I was wondering how I could mark those occasions too. I wanted something that would suit more than one person, and could be personalised. I follow a fair few cookie pages on Facebook and thought - aha, cookies! </div>
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I have made roll-out sugar cookies before, and tweak the recipe slightly regarding bake times each time. I haven't tasted anyone else's to compare, but wonder always if mine are the right crunch/soft ratio, or the right colour and so on. Nonetheless, I went with my tried and true recipe (flavoured with a drop of caramel) and baked up a large batch of birds, circles and plaques (more about them to come).</div>
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The birds and circles were spares really, just done for fun - and then Mr Becca mentioned that he had a meeting to attend and did I have any spares for him to share with the participants? Uh, yup.</div>
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As you can see, I had a few chocolate chunk ones, however they didn't bake up as well, because the chunks were a bit large I felt. (the children ate those ones, and declared them perfect) I decorated them in gorgeous shades of bright pink and green, and think they looked lovely. He asked for them to be personalised with an initial, and the participants were all very impressed :)</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-32968583220122076362015-04-22T14:40:00.000+01:002015-05-04T15:21:00.638+01:00Super Lemon cake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of my colleagues has a name starting with S. She's fairly unassuming, doesn't like to blow her own trumpet, and likes lemon flavoured cake most of all. So when I noticed it was her birthday coming up, well... I couldn't let it pass without a little bit of fanfare!</div>
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I bought some of <a href="http://www.lakeland.co.uk/">Lakeland</a>'s fantastic <a href="http://www.lakeland.co.uk/p15769/PushPans%C2%AE">PushPans</a> a year or two ago and love using them. They give a great shape and bake up well every time. I own some in 6" and some in super-tiny and cute 4", and it was the latter I decided to use this time - as some of the senior students had said they planned to buy her a cake for her birthday.</div>
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I used my normal sponge cake recipe and instead of adding vanilla extract for flavour, I added <a href="http://www.lakeland.co.uk/16324/Star-Kay-White-Lemon-Extract">Star Kay White lemon</a> plus the zest of a lemon. I'm really impressed with their extracts, as the flavour is authentic without tasting artificial, and a few drops give lots of flavour - so the icing consistency isn't ruined. Perfect.</div>
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I joined the two layers of cake with the buttercream and some extra delicious lemon curd, and added both the lemon extract and some yellow colouring to achieve the perfect taste and colour for my buttercream. With the addition of a little fondant sugarpaste decoration of a Superman style capital letter S in bright pink, we were good to go.</div>
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And I'm thrilled to say that S loved her cake, and it was just the right size to last her and a friend a couple of days. </div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-66112281305616800092015-04-17T15:21:00.000+01:002015-05-04T15:57:07.375+01:00Golf and a 70th, how do you combine the two?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of the school mums got in touch via the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/beccabakes2">Facebook page</a> to enquire about a cake for her father's 70th birthday. He really enjoys playing golf and gardening, so whe wanted them included somehow. And the grandchildren would be present to eat it, so the flavour was to be chocolate. Fair enough, i said, and got my thinking cap on. I Googled golf cakes and there were some stunning design ideas to be seen - there are some seriously talented cake makers out there in internet land!</div>
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I baked up my go to chocolate sponge recipe, and layered the two large cakes with lashings of luscious and thick green vanilla buttercream icing, to act as the background. I knew I wanted grass on there too, as the customer had decided on an all buttercream cake. I went to our wonderful local cake shop, <a href="http://www.thecakeguru.co.uk/">The Cake Guru</a>, and described the shade of green I had, and what else I had in mind. I'm so pleased with Wendy's recommendation, as the grass tones in perfectly, don't you think?</div>
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As the cake flavour was chocolate, and the buttercream vanilla, I didn't feel that the usual strawberry jam filling would be suitable really. I hadn't been warned of any allergies, so I slathered Nutella in btetween the layers - perfect choice with those flavours, don't you think?</div>
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Careful and prolonged use of the grass nozzle tip created the top layer and the decoration at the base edge, a little crushed biscuit for the sand bank and we were good to go.</div>
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I'm so pleased to say that the customer feedback was very positive - not only did they love how it looked, it was totally devoured on the day. A very happy 70th birthday indeed.</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-53392606816187018672014-10-23T21:28:00.001+01:002015-08-30T16:54:18.408+01:00Choc chip spiced banana loaf<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was really enjoying the taste of the pumpkin pie spice, and we had some bananas going spare... so Spiced Banana Loaf was born!!<br />
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It went down a storm with The Team, and the select few taste-testers who were lucky enough to get some. A definite winner for next autumn!</div>
Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-19123330139282287122014-10-20T21:26:00.000+01:002015-08-30T16:58:35.753+01:00Peanut butter butterscotch scotcheroos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I liked the sound of this recipe, so felt I just had to investigate further. I had been lucky enough to receive some Hershey's Butterscotch Chips as a gift from a pupil who had been on holiday to Florida over the summer, and was keen to try them out.</div>
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This recipe is a no-bake one, and is basically rice crispy treats with added melted peanut butter and then a layer of the melted butterscotch chips on top.</div>
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It sounds a bit crazy with all those flavours, but it was so easy to eat! We chopped it into bite-size pieces, then managed to bite our way through the entire tin in just a few days. The Team could probably make a dessert like this themselves, with minimal supervision, so this is going into the must-bake-again folder. </div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6542102368822326299.post-89960086813832192562014-10-15T16:00:00.000+01:002015-08-30T16:51:48.199+01:00Mixed birthday cupcakes for a man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When it comes to birthday treats for men, well, you need to know if they have a sweet tooth. See many men prefer crisps to chocolate, and well, that's a whole new ballgame then. </div>
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Luckily this chap was partial to chocolate, and vanilla. So these mixed classic cupcakes were a doddle, and the blue, green and yellow designs - perfect!</div>
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Happy 60th birthday to a great guy...</div>
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Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01013549754916081490noreply@blogger.com0