Triple lemon iced sticky buns and a chat with Jessica Creed

I love to connect with other food bloggers and have made some wonderful new foodie friends since I began Cupcakes and Couscous. I am super excited about today’s post which not only has a deee-licious recipe for you to try but also my first international interview! Today I am chatting to baking extraordinaire and Nutella lover, Jessica Creed who is based in the U.K. and blogs over at What Jessica Baked Next

Continue reading “Triple lemon iced sticky buns and a chat with Jessica Creed”

Orange drizzle cake with lavender

Oranges are in abundance at the moment and I love including citrus flavours in my baking. Particularly at the moment as I have been craving all things citrus for the past few months. Sneak a peak in my fruit drawer and you will find it packed with oranges, grapefruit and naartjies, I must have them! The inspiration for this recipe came a few weeks ago when I was at a family celebration. They served a delicious orange cake for dessert and, given my current citrus obsession, I have been looking forward to making one ever since.

Continue reading “Orange drizzle cake with lavender”

Cookie Swap 4 and chocolate orange sugar hearts

Cookie Swap 4 took place on the 2nd of August, and once again it was a national event that saw cookie lovers from around the country gathering together to exchange treats, socialise and most importantly raise money for Learn to Earn and specifically their Bake For Profit students who are in dire need of more kitchen equipment to assist with their training. Do have a look at the website to see how this fantastic organisation gives people “a hand up, not a hand out”!

Lemon curd swirl ice cream

So before you think I have lost the plot let me confirm a few things. Yes, I know it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. Yes, it is true – I am currently sitting at my desk, typing this recipe while the rain lashes my window and my fingertips begin to feel more and more numb. (In fairness it was 25 degrees two days ago, Cape Town – you tease!) But yes – I have still chosen to post this recipe that I created recently. On a cold day. In this here winter season. And that is simply because ice cream is fantastically fabulous and should, I think, be enjoyed and appreciated all year round! Everyone happy? Good!

Continue reading “Lemon curd swirl ice cream”

Lemon curd

 

Before we delve into this week’s recipe I wanted to share my most recent dining out experience with you. Black Sheep Restaurant in Kloof Street, Cape Town has been around for a little while now, and it is not surprising to see why it is so popular. There is a seasonal blackboard menu which changes regularly, but no shortage of tasty dishes to choose from. The layout of the restaurant is interesting, with a downstairs bar area and tables set out on multiple levels. Snappy service in a relaxed atmosphere made for a delightful meal.

I enjoyed a fragrant and tender lamb curry served with rice and flatbreads, and I found the level of heat was just right for me, (extra chilli is provided for those who prefer their curry more fiery). Dessert was a light ginger beer sorbet served with gorgeous lime curd and a gingersnap.Which got me all inspired to make this next recipe…

Continue reading “Lemon curd”

Mini Easter simnel cakes

So today we are talking fruit cake, spices and chocolate. Music to my ears… and my stomach. I am not sure how I got this far in my baking career without trying this recipe! I suppose that while traditional fruit cakes are found in abundance around Christmas time, the simnel cake is less common down here at the tip of Africa. This fruity cake adorned with marzipan is traditional around Mothering Sunday and/or Easter particularly in the U.K, and I thought I would channel my British ancestors and give it a bash this week.

Continue reading “Mini Easter simnel cakes”