Brothers Birthday

It was my brothers birthday last weekend and his favourite restaurant is Ask, so that was where we went!

We go to the one in Northwood which is a nice one, and the one McFly regularly visit!

For starter I had the Antipasto Classico Board, which came with salami, ham, olive tapenade, bread and salad.

For main I had Pollo Piccante con Pancetta Primi Pizza. This pizza is stone baked, and has a thinner crispier base. It was very tasty and I enjoyed it. I asked for mine with no mushrooms and less chillis!

However I will often have the chicken and mushroom risotto which is delicious, my brother had it this time!

We then all came home to homemade birthday cake which I made.

This was made with 3 eggs, the hummingbird bakery butter icing filling, then cocoa powder and icing sugar with water for the top, drizzled with melted white chocolate - yum! xoxo

Cake Pops

My dear friend bought me a belated present of Cake Pop's starter kit. The two kits were from Lakeland, the first being the mould/tray the cake mixture is cooked in. The second being a pack that included a stand, sticks and presentation bags.

I had never made cake pops, and took the rainy afternoon as the opportunity to make them.
Firstly I made the mixture and halved the recipe on the back of the packaging (as the recipe made 40 and I didn't need that many!)

Recipe

60g butter, sofened

75g caster sugar

90g self raising flour, sifted

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

1.5 tbsp milk

1) Cream the butter and sugar together until well mixed and fluffy.

2) Add the vanilla and eggs, and mix well

3) Add the flour and milk and mix until well combined

4) Place the mould onto a baking tray then spoon the mixture into the cake mould, ensuring each cavity is full. Close the mould.

5) Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 180 degrees. 

6) Once cooked, and a skewer comes out clean leave the cake pops to cool

7) Once cooled push a stick into each of the pops

8) Dip the cake pops into icing or chocolate and decorate as desired

The silicone tray and presentation kit can be bought from Lakeland :)

Happy Baking :) xoxo

A sunny Saturday at Grey's Court

Today we drove to Henley to a National Trust property called Grey's Court.
We did a large walk around the edge of the estate over the Chiltern Hills. The sun was shining and it was the perfect day for a walk, it felt like summer had arrived! I even managed to get slightly burnt!

We then visited the grounds, heading firstly to the Tea Rooms for a well deserved coffee and cake. I opted for an elderflower presse and Raspberry Eton Mess Victoria sandwich. It was delicious and has inspired me to make this sometime soon!

After this we climbed the tower and were treated to beautiful views of the house and gardens. The gardens looked spectacular, with a variety of flowers and the stunning wisteria.

We then explored the gardens and enjoyed going through the wisteria tunnel and taking many pictures. We then found out that the wisteria was 120 years old! Wow! I wish I could have a massive wisteria tree in my garden with its lilac flowers!

We then explored the fruit, vegetable and herb garden. My favorite seeing the orange plant as I had never seen one before!

Here are a couple of pictures from the day! :)

What a lovely day! :) xoxo



Outfit:
Trousers - River Island £20 - similar here
Jelly Shoes - New Look £9.99
Daisy bun holder - ASOS £6
Top - H&M Basics £2.99
Denim Jacket - H&M
Bag - Topshop - very old!
Glasses - Primark £1
Watch - River Island £15

Cinnamon Square

So I thought I would write a review on a local place I like to visit for a drink or sweet treat and have been going here ever since it opened. 
This place is called Cinnamon Square and is located just off the main High Street in Rickmansworth.

Cinnamon Square opened in 2005 and was a very small independent cafe/bakery with only a couple of seats. In 2010, Cinnamon Square expanded to the unit next door to create more space for not only customers but an area specifically designated to showcase their amazing bread. When Cinnamon Square first opened you ordered your food at the counter and then it was brought to you. This arrangement worked very smoothly. However in recent times (maybe last year), Cinnamon Square changed to table service. I have to be honest and admit I am not a fan of this change, and much prefer the old style of ordering food and drinks. However Cinnamon Square will have their reasons for doing this and have not resorted back to their old method so it must be a success.......!?

Cinnamon Square's specialty is the 'Cinnamon Square', this is a square bun, rolled in cinnamon and topped with a delicious cream cheese frosting.  Although they offer many other sweet treats, such as cupcakes, cakes, brownies, lemon meringue, waffles etc, I will always get the famous Cinnamon Square. 

The delicious Cinnamon Square - Large

Cinnamon Square also make a large variety of different bread. This is not something you see very often these days and I am very glad we have someone to go to buy local specialty bread. The traditional bloomer here is delicious as are the rye breads especially the one with the caraway seeds. 

Recently Cinnamon Square featured on Britain's Best Bakery on ITV. The bakery made it through the first round, winning the Home Counties round wowing the judges with their their amazing orange desert in the The Wild Card Bake. I have not tried one of these myself yet, but would love to. However they look exquisite. You will have to watch the episode on ITV player here to find out whats inside The Orange!

The Orange - photograph not my own - taken from http://www.cinnamonsquare.com

If you are ever visiting Hertfordshire and fancy a sit down or a bit to eat (Cinnamon Square, also serve a variety of breakfasts and also lunches) definitely pop down to Rickmansworth to visit here and most definitely taste the famous Cinnamon Square!

Enjoy xoxo