Random Stuff

Birthday Muffin Cup cakes

Friday, April 16th, 2010 | Birthday Cakes, Cooking, Cupcakes | No Comments

I like to try and make the little one a Birthday cake,  I think it’s nice to put in the effort, well maybe not when I’m up at 3am trying to get it sorted. But the finished result is nice. This year, however, I needed to follow a slightly different tact.

We had decided on a party that involved very little preparation. This was due to the fact that we were away in the run up to the party and didn’t want to be all stressed out the week before running about getting things sorted.  So indoor play centre here we come, safe place for the children to run about and burn some energy. Food provided for a reasonable fee, no setting up or clearing away required. Turn up, kids have fun, eat and leave.. bliss!

Now although this was all great, one of the difficult things at these places is Health & Safety.  You could being a Birthday cake in and cut it but the children couldn’t eat it on site. Hmmmm, I really didn’t fancy having to cut and wrap up 17 bits of cake!

*light bulb moment*  I know I’ll make individual cakes all ready to go, no hassle just pop them in the party bags!

For some time now I have been searching for the ultimate muffin recipe… Ideally one you can freeze, that tastes great once defrosted.. well I’ll only eat them otherwise!  I think I have cracked it now, I’ve mixed it up a bit and made it my own so it is a closely guarded secret. Don’t even think about asking for it!  But it’s not just the cake… It’s the icing too, and I could never get it just right like it is in the stores..

Butter icing, the stuff they put on those nom swirly cakes!   When ever I attempted it, it was always too soft and buttery… too sickly.  I finally found the ultimate white chocolate butter icing. It handles really well and tastes delicious…

But what about the Birthday cake I hear you cry! Well I had a plan for that too… A stack of 5 muffins to make the main cake!  Candles on, blow candles out, take cake home – easy!

They looked great and tasted amazing…. even if I do say so myself!

Tags: birthday, cake, cup cake, cupcake, muffin

Birthday Card Making

Saturday, March 27th, 2010 | Card Making, Craft | No Comments

March is a very busy Birthday month, well more specifically the 28th of March.. As it is my Dad and my Nan’s Birthday.  This year was a special one for my Nan as she turned 80.

I like to make a little effort and do home made cards for that personal touch. I like simplistic designs and thought I’d share my latest creations with you.

Dad’s Birthday card.. very simple, red base card. Nice and easy to make but very effective. I used a smaller piece of black card and stuck to it a section of black brightly coloured birthday paper. I used a rub on transfer for the word “Dad”

Nan’s 80th Birthday card.. I thought quite a lot about this one, as I wanted something simple yet special. I chose a light green paper to go on a white base card. I matched the green paper with the printer and designed and printed the centre. I also used a brass stencil to subtly embellish the top of the card.

Tags: birthday, card, Card making, Craft, hand made