My Chin up Chicken Routine

If your day has resonated a bit too well with the Daniel Powter song, then this is a routine made for you.

Saturday Sweet Tooth: Attempting Red Velvet Cupcakes

Over the bank holiday weekend I was in the mood to do some baking, but rather than buying a kit I wanted to make some myself. So, in the middle of Asda, I did a quick Google of Red Velvet Cupcakes (thank you 3G) and picked up the ingredients.

I got the recipe from here (not trying to plagiarise) so you can get the full list and instructions you can go there; but here's what we did!

Cream together your butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.

You then need to add the buttermilk. Buttermilk can be found in the milk section FYI. I thought it'd be with the condensed milk and stuff.

Then you need to add the eggs and stir!

Then it's time to add the red food dye. My tip, add the whole bottle!!! (You'll see why.)

Next up vinegar (which the boyfriend had to do, I HATE VINEGAR)

Then it's time for flour, cocoa powder and stir!

Transfer to baking cases and bake in the oven.

This is why you need to add more food dye...

Then get icing and decorating. 

Whilst these tasted delicious, they were definitely velvety, they weren't exactly red. Next time, on recommendation from my good friend Rachel, I'll be using food paste or the whole darn bottle.

Lesson learned.

What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Friday Find: Averie Cooks

I quite like food, believe it or not, and I definitely indulge my love for all things sugary and sweet via my Pinterest board.  Through my one of my pinning sessions I stumbled across a load of recipes from an Averie cooks, I then went to her blog and definitely think it's worth sharing.

It's only recently that I've started adding foody blogs to my Bloglovin' list and this is blog is definitely one of my faves. I think it's because the blog is aimed at people with sweet tooth's, like me. A recent recipe that has certainly floated my boat, which I feel I should share is this one.

Loaded Soft and Chewy M&M Cookie Pie

If that hasn't tempted you, then I don't know what will. But seriously, go check out her blog, here.

Who are your favourite foodie blogs?

Laura xoxo

Saturday Sweet-tooth: Easter Egg Cookies

 

So with Easter coming up soon I thought I'd try my hand at making some Easter Cookies for you to bake and share with all your loved ones (maybe even eat them all yourself.... I'm not judging!)

So I began my using the cookie mix from Vivianna Does Make-Up's cookies, which I love making (and have saved in my phone), however when you should be adding the chocolate I added broken up Cream Eggs and Mini Eggs.

Make sure you leave enough room between each one otherwise this could happen!

Here are the finished articles!

Are you doing any Easter baking this year?

Laura xoxo

Saturday Sweet Tooth: Rock Buns

When I was younger, on the weekends I was at my dad's and he wanted some peace and quiet to watch the football (snooze) he had to think of things I could do get me out of the way. Baking was one of those things; something that benefited both of our stomachs. 

Rock buns were something that we both enjoyed, and his then girlfriend's mom used to make them too and gave me the recipie. To this day it is one of the few recipes I remember off by heart, and still love making and today I'm sharing it with you.

You will need:

- 8oz Self Raising Flour

- 4oz Butter

- 2oz Sugar

- 1 Egg

- Sultanas/Raisins

- Splash of milk

In a bowl add all of the dry ingredients (minus the sultanas.) Use your fingers to mush it all up to create fine breadcrumbs.

It should look a little something like this.

Then add your egg and sultanas and stir until a dough is formed. If it still looks a little dry, add a splash of milk until it's all combined.

Take your dough and make little balls. The size can be however big or small you like. (Massive ones are amazing, FYI!) Place them on a greased baking tray and pop them in the oven.

Pop them in the oven, I put mine at 180oc for 12mins. Temp will vary depending on oven type, and time will depend on the size of your balls (oo-er!)

Once they're looking golden and delectable get them out of the oven and leave them to cool. Whilst it is tempting (and blooming well hard) you must leave them to cool down, otherwise they'll just be buns and not rock buns.

Here's the finished article. You can totally experiment with the recipie. I find that a teaspoon of mixed spice and some glace cherries go really well. We did try to make chocolate ones once but the didn't really work out.

What are your childhood baking stories? I'd love to know.

Laura xoxo

Recipe: Christmas Cookies

This post is all about how to make these cute little Christmas cookies, which I was inspired by Pinterest to make.

Before you start, you need to dress festive:

My little brother for you!

The recipe is from Little Cook's Big Cookery Book, but you can make any gingerbread recipe you wish!

Add all the dry ingredients to the bowl and then add the butter.

Then proceed to make breadcrumbs.

Beat the egg in the a mug.

Warm a tablespoon so the golden syrup doesn't stick,

then add the two to the mixture.

Mix until you have a dough shape.

Add to a floured surface and begin to roll.

It's then time to cut the shapes, I used circles.

Then add to two greased baking trays.

Whilst they're cooking and cooling reward yourself with a little drink!

Then it's time to decorate.

This is where you should separate the red smarties, however THERE WERE NONE IN MY TUBE! I then had to resort to tootie fruties.

Mix some icing together, and decorate!

Will you be festive baking?

Laura xoxo