What are fairy cakes?

Posted on by KTD

Who couldn’t love fairy cakes? These cute little sponge cakes are a smaller version of a cupcake – they are in essence the dainty version of their American cupcake cousins.

The cakes are very popular in England and are traditionally made using a lighter sponge (think the texture and ingredients’ of pound cake) as opposed to the thicker batter used in cupcakes. They are half the size with a lot less decoration, just as cute, and it is safe to say, it is the sponge that is the star, not the ‘frosting’.

Fairy cakes are perfect for parties, and are easy to make. Just keep the sponge nice and light, and the decoration simple – they never fail to make people smile.

Click here for the full recipe

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Baking The English Way

Posted on by KTD

To get straight to the point, English cakes are plain, elegant and satisfying. At their best they are comforting, loaded with butter and steeped in history and heritage.

Eccles-cakes-007Most of the traditional cakes have a story to tell – from the Victoria sponge developed for Queen Victoria (who relished the new craze for tea-parties) to the humble Eccles cake which was illegal to eat in 1650 – anyone caught eating one would be sent to jail.

Thankfully times have changed and there are so many wonderful cakes for you to try.

Basically English baking consists of two things – butter and a good set of kitchen scales. Unlike baking in America the majority of English recipes are based on weight, which can be a little strange to get to grips with but when it comes to baking, it is all about accuracy and weight is far more dependable than measures.

Continue reading Baking The English Way

Welcome to English Baking In America

Posted on by KTD

Welcome to English Baking In America…lets get started!!!

You do not have to be a domestic goddess to be able to bake – trust me I am no Bree Van de Kamp.

In my experience, all you require is the desire to get your hands into the mixing bowl, the ability to rub flour into butter, patience, some tried and trusted recipes and reliable ingredients. Of course an array of baking pans also help, as will a set of kitchen scales – and if you are here then you are probably interested in making some English fare.

English cakes are plain, elegant and satisfying. At their best they are comforting, satisfying, loaded with butter and steeped in history and heritage.

Vicoria Sponge

My weekly blog will cover everything you will need to know to make the wonderful baked goods that are enjoyed regularly across the pond, including:

  • recipes from some of Englands best bakers (I have adapted them slightly to make them work with ingredients available in the US),
  • potential problems when using a recipe from England
  • hints and tips for English baking
  • checklists
  • the history behind some Englands favorite cakes and biscuits

So lets get you going on how to bake the English way….stay tuned!!!!