Monday 28 February 2011

Once bitten forever smitten - Baking for One?

Baking is good for the soul but if you follow most recipes they are for huge quantities that are far too much unless you are entertaining. It seems to me that the main problem is the egg! and its not easy using a divided quantity of egg - so I'm going to share with you my classic baking recipe's using ONE EGG.
Today its Classic Victoria Sponge
  • ONE EGG
  • 55g unsalted buttter
  • 55g caster sugar
  • 55g self raising flour
  • Pre heat oven to 160/130 fan oven. Line 13-16cm cake tin with baking paper. Put all ingredients in bowl and beat with electric beater for 2 mins - you will have a creamy smooth mixture. Scrape every last bit into prepared tin - level top with back of spoon and bake in centre of oven for 25 minutes **Cooks Tip use a timer and do not leave the kitchen as it may smell cooked before the timer goes off so you should check. If a sponge cake smells cooked and looks cooked - it is cooked!
Cut cake in half so you have two semi circles and sandwich together with jam and frosting of your choice. this makes 3 impressive portions of cake - one for now- one for tea- and one tomorrow!
Variations on the theme
1) Take out 4 teaspoons of flour and replace with 4 teaspoons of Cocoa powder to make the chocolate cake illustrated. (You can buy cans of buttercream frosting that will keep for ages in the fridge so you can use some to sandwich this cake and save the rest for next time you bake)
2) Divide the mixture between 4 muffin cases and bake for 18-20 mins. When cool spread the top with Jam and buttercream as above for individual Victoria Cupcakes
3) Make it into a pudding by placing 3 tablespoons of marmalade or golden syrup into pyrex pudding bowl. Put sponge mixture on top - Microwave for 2 minutes - leave for one minute & serve hot with custard or cream ( this will be too much for one person's pudding but you can keep half in fridge)
I haven't suggested you freeze the leftovers - but of course you can. Baking is indulgent and feel good, so bake in small quantities and enjoy your cake soft and moist and fresh.
For special events Birthdays Anniversaries Wedding Cakes call Janet on 01732 843518 or email

  Best Wishes, Janet

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Once bitten forever smitten - Accessorise!

Being so in tune with London Fashion Week it seemed the perfect moment to talk about cake accessories. We all know that a change of shoes and jewellry changes an outfit seamlessly from day to night but did you realise that you can accessorise your wedding cake too.
 Vintage Brooch - Something Old Something Blue
Spanish Style - Hint of Flamenco

All I did with the two cakes above was change the ribbon and add 6 rosebuds - voila! A completely different effect. This 3 tier round sponge cake was made for a photoshoot at The Hadlow Manor Hotel but to suit the Garden Room it was to be displayed in I reaccessorised it with hand crafted fondant roses.
Pretty & Pure - Ring a Ring 0 Roses
And finally if you are having a black tie wedding party or even for a lavish engagement why not add some bling (these were acrylic diamonds but edible sugar ones are available too)
Diamonds are Forever
The takeaway cake service is available for all 2011 wedding dates - just ring me 01732 843518 or email

best wishes, Janet

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Once bitten forever smitten...Wish List

Looking back over recent cake pictures there are very few cakes for women. Then I realised why, the majority of my customers are women and they are usually ordering a cake for their children's or partner's birthday such as the Black Cab cake below, so I wonder who makes them a beautiful birthday cake?
Yes I know Mums always say a half raw, finger poked, child's effort is priceless (I'm a Mum too) but surely those guys & gals that claim to love us could make  an effort and order us a unique and special cake for our Birthday, Anniversary or Mothers day. The evidence is that you make a huge effort to order some exceptionally delicious and creative cakes that are so personal there is no doubt you put your children's and partner's happiness first. To solve this problem and in homage to Marie Antoinette Let Me Eat Cake is launched today on the website
You say when you would like a cake, what your flavour preferences are and if you like cupcakes or a full on iced cake - fill in the relevant dates and this is the cunning bit - your partner's email address. We do the rest by sending design options and voila! you have the most amazzing cake for your big day.  Email me now

 or register at www.weddingdelicakes.co.uk  - its time to put yourself first, best wishes, Janet

Monday 7 February 2011

Once bitten forever smitten - Wedding Cakeaway!

The most sucessful businesses are driven by customer demand and WeddingDelicakes is proving to be very sucessfull. I cannot be at two wedding venues at the same time so rather than dissappoint I am launching the Wedding Cakeaway Service.
Simply Stylish Takeaway Wedding Cake
A stunning 3 tier round wedding cake, will be made just for you, decorated with satin ribbon, tucked into a very sturdy box ready for you to collect. Go on give that Usher a proper job and save yourself a few pennies too. You can hire a stand and knife too.
The Wedding Cakeaway service costs £295 for a 10" 8" 6" combination in vanilla sponge with vanilla buttercream and raspberry jam filling. Please note the marzipan contains nuts. If we have one month's notice we aim to fill all orders for the Wedding Cakeaway serivce.

If you would prefer a bespoke service: Design & Taste consultation, limitless variety of cake flavours, various icings and hand made decorations, any size, shape and style of cake; then book now as 2010 dates are going fast, Best Wishes, Janet 01732 843518, text 07714 286911 or email