Bake Sales & Butterflies

Sorry for the lack of blogging. Nothing substantial has happened in the last couple of weeks other than having to work and the possible answers arising as to why my health is how it is. If you're interested you can read more of that on my other blog which I created specifically to talk about my health.

And to make this post a bit more interesting, here are some lovely things I've found on H&M's and Wilkinson's websites.

  Wilkinson's £12   H&M 14.99   H&M £6.99
This weekend has been good, despite me being ill. Well Friday and Saturday were good anyway! On Friday my friend Hannah came to stay overnight to help support our Bake Sale we held at my place of work in order to raise some more money and awareness as to why my other half is running 1000km for the National Eczema Society. We had every intention of making all of our goodies gluten and vegan free to entice more people but we were so rushed on Friday that we only managed to make a couple of things. It was a fantastic day anyway and we managed to raise a whopping £152.77!!!

Pictured: Me, Shane and Hannah

As you can see from the picture, it was torture for 3 cake fiends to be sat in front of a table full of yummy cakes for 6 hours and not being able to eat any of them. We did however take a trip to Bunty's tea rooms for a much needed cup of tea and slice of heaven (cake). Delicious irony.

If I Knew You Were Coming I'd Have Baked A Cake...

This may come as a massive shock considering my love for cake but I haven't baked one myself since around the age of 8? That's what...? Nearly 15 years!!! Jeez Louise.

Well today is the other half's birthday and since he's now on a baking kick because he'll be doing a bake sale next month to help raise more money for his 1000km Challenge I felt very much inspired to bake one myself.  That, and last time I ate a shop bought cake my skin flared (still can't pinpoint the allergen though)  so I thought it would be the best option, not to mention cheaper!


  I decided, that since I'm technically a learner I'd just cheat with a ready mix where all you need is to add an egg and a few tablespoons of water. Simple right? Wrong. The cake tins we have are much bigger than what was stated so I found myself in a bit of a flap. In a rare moment of genius I decided to make up a white based mixture and make a slightly bodged marble cake. Using the 4, 4, 4 method.
  The best bit has to be licking the bowls. I did end up with a bit too much mixture overall so a lot of it ended up in my belly. Oops.
  Fresh out of the oven and it wasn't a complete disaster yay :D they were indeed cooked in the middle! 
  I also remembered that we don't have cooling racks (must rectify this) so I used the grill tray and just put some kitchen roll on a plate. You can kinda see the marbleyness (yep, new word right there!) The one on the left did end up a little bit bodged because it didn't quite reach the side of the cake tin but nevermind!
  I forgot to take a picture of the frosting in the middle so here it is sandwiched together. Looks lush!
  Messy, messy, messy but indeed yummy. I also ended up eating rather a lot of this too... don't judge me. It was also at this point that I realised how much better the cake would have looked were it centrally on the plate. Oh well.
Let me bring you to the finished piece. Can I have a drum roll please?


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Ta-da!!! I don't even care that it looks a mess, I'm just pleased as punch that it resembles a cake, and even a NICE cake at that! The Christmas decoration was an essential component into making this cake for the other half. He is a penguin fanatic.