Upside Down Cakes!

11 days since my last Brownie's for Mozart post...it's been so annoying, wanting to blog and not having the equipment. Modern technology is SO fantastic...the only problem is that we come to rely on it for so much. When it fails...it's like a cloud of fog descending. Nothing feels right. I'm just so lucky that I got a new 'smartphone' recently, so I've been able to keep up a little with the online world. And compared to the tragedies in first New Zealand and then Japan...not to mention man-made horrors unfolding in Libya as I write...I guess that puts it all in perspective a little.

Just to continue the theme of computer blues....

ok, this is weird...good, but weird! The photos that I took of just a few of my creations this past week-&-a-bit all came out upside down! Hence the title to this post. I just thought that I'd write it anyway to get started again. And hey presto...when I downloaded to the blog, they're the right way up! Who knows how these things work? Not me, obviously....I'll just hold my breath & thank goodness that something worked at last!

Above is a Whipped Cream Strawberry Cake. It's from Rose Levy Berenbaum...an amazing recipe as it contains no butter! Just whipped cream. It made a beautiful, moist, white cake...I filled it with mascarpone cream, home made strawberry preserves and fresh strawberries too...a breath of early Summer in March - felt wonderful!

This was my own recipe...Toasted Pecan cake. Ground pecan vanilla sponge inside, sandwiched with vanilla buttercream and covered in more toasted pecans. I ADORE pecans, and even though I didn't get to eat any of this cake, I just love to think about it! It sold out fast...

Last Monday I made Cinnamon Rolls. I've never made them before but I'll be doing so again...and often! They are flavoured with cardamom and filled with brown sugar, unsalted butter & lots of cinnamon. Heaven. I did make an extra few...took them to my parents where my Mum, youngest sister & 3 year old nephew devoured them over coffee while catching up on news. We did leave a little for my Dad - but it was difficult! I shared the recipe with my lovely friend Joann from The Girl Gets Real and I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out for her!

So that's a little catch up. But I'm back on line for good now (famous last words...) so I'll see you tomorrow!

Thanks for coming back - I hope you've had a great weekend xo

Giveaway Congratulations & Almond Heaven...

This was the scene this morning as I placed all the names in competition for the Giveaway into my favourite coffee mug...I felt a little nervous, strangely...I so appreciate all your comments and the visitors to my blog, and I wanted everyone to win! But there could only be one, in the end - and it's one of my new 'commenters'...I'll let the picture speak for itself & just say WELL DONE to...

Nellie! I think you're in the US...but if you send me your address to: theblueangelbakery (at) hotmail (dot) co (dot) uk (of course, you need to put the @ & . symbols in there - I haven't to avoid spam mail!) then I will package up your goodies and send them to you, with my love...

I added this cute & colourful measuring spoon set to the gifts, as an added treat - I so hope you like everything & look forward to your receiving it and letting me know what you think!

So, to today's delivery...

Strawberry & Lemon Bakewell Tart. I love Bakewell Tart - because I adore anything almondy. For those who aren't familiar with it, it's a traditional British pudding. The usual recipe is for shortcrust pastry, spread with raspberry jam and topped with an almond frangipane sponge and flaked almonds. It's often served after a meal, hot with custard - or cold in fingers for tea. My version has a richer shortbread base, and this one had strawberry preserves and lemon curd under the almond layer. It just makes it a bit....MORE! And you've probably gleaned from my posts by now that if there's one thing I love it's abundance! Too much of a good thing is great in my opinion!

It was quite soft & gooey in the centre with a lovely short, crisp, buttery base and plenty of tart lemon curd oozing gently together with sweet strawberry pieces. GORGEOUS!

I can hardly believe that the weekend's here already! I look forward to hearing from Nellie soon...but thanks to everyone for reading, commenting and enjoying my blog.

Have a wonderful rest of the day xo