Valentines Goodies

Last weekend was manic as I had my Valentines Day stall on the 13^th.  I spent the best part of two days baking cupcakes and cutting out pretty sugarpaste shapes. It was definitely the right time to test the array of cutters I'd bought over the last few months. The amount of cupcake goodies available is immense. Everything I've bought recently has been online – Pretty Witty Cakes and Purple Cupcakes. Brilliant products, service and delivery.  Got the odd goody from TK Maxx though as you can imagine! (that place is a treasure trove)  The best product from TK are the PME dove cutters. They're so beautiful and elegant.  However, my favourite buy of all has to be the silicone button mould.  Extremely easy to use and you can just pop the buttons out and they're perfectly formed.  

This is the end product - the buttons are made out of white chocolate and so tempting to nibble on!

So here is a sample picture of the cupcakes made for the Valentines stall.

Starting at the top left – Chocolate Orange, The Malt Teaser, Vanilla and Strawberry, Almond, Lemon, Chocolate and Vanilla and finally Raspberry Fluff and White Chocolate in the middle.

I love the contrast of the white dove against the purple buttercream. 

And then the stall set up

As you can see, I don't have many lemon cupcakes remaining in this picture! I wish I'd made more as they were the fastest seller. It's beneficial to hold these stalls regularly as you start to recognise what sells and what to do next time.

It was a fabulous event again and I'm very proud of myself.  Especially considering that this was the first time I've ever used sugarpaste too.  I will continue to use sugarpaste decorations in this way because of the lovely comments from my customers.  It definitely adds the wow factor.

P.S.  I'm starting a cake decorating and sugarcraft course on Monday! I'm really looking forward to learning more and spending time with fellow cake lovers.  

Bakeware Haul

 Take a look at my shopping spree!

TK Maxx could be my favourite place.  It’s amazing for bakeware, PME fondant cutters and sold at really reasonable prices.  I’m impressed every time I go there.  Joe was impressed too, as he bought a particularly sleek knife set to replace our old cheap set.  Now, I know we can’t get excited about knives, but I promise that these are really cool! – They’re ‘pointless’ and stand in a transparent block.

I bought the pastry cutters, flower cutters and pastry brush from Atkinsons in Sheffield.  A great, local store that seems to have every staple you’d need.

The fluted flan tin is to quench my need to make a Tarte Au Citron, Mary Berry style.  I’ve been studying the Great British Bake Off book and Mary Berry’s Baking Bible of late and I’m really excited to try the classic, yet difficult to master recipes!

Next things on my ‘to buy’ list is a 1 lb and 2 lb loaf tin.  Chocolate and banana loaf here I come!