Baked a Cake

Start spreadin' the news, I'm leavin' today! I want to be a part of it - New York, New York! Well no, I'm actually not leaving today and the next stop on my list of travel destinations isn't New York (one day), but you get the idea. Happy Independence Day America!  

Our next stop on the 'Around the World in 12 Cakes' journey is merry old England. With so many cakes and desserts coming out of England, the decision of which one to recreate was a tough one, but being a lover of frangipane I decided on the Bakewell Tart.

After my Grandma passed away, I was given a box of full of recipes - handwritten, magazine clippings, CWA cookbooks and the Commonsense Cookery Book. I always loved the desserts and sweets or her era, especially the biscuits made with milk powder which gave them that perfect crumbly, rich texture - these will always be Grandma biscuits to me. 

A couple of weeks ago while I was flipping through the pages of my Grandma's Commonsense Cookery Book, I stumbled across a page that literally took my breath away. 

This post was originally supposed to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, however, my day job, moving house and everyday life has put me a little bit behind schedule. Cinco de Mayo (literally 'the fifth of May') is celebrated by Mexican-American communities to commemorate the Battle of Puebla.

Earlier this month I said a tear-filled farewell to my big brother Lee and his wife Emma as they prepared to leave for the biggest adventure of their lives – moving to Vietnam for the foreseeable future!

Bank account drained, baking brain fully inspired.

Last weekend this little caker went to the Cake Bake and Sweets Show and after two days of amazing classes, demonstrations by some seriously talented people and a little retail therapy, went wee, wee, wee, all the way home with her head swirling with new ideas. 

Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! They say that everyone is Irish on Saint Parick’s Day so why not celebrate with a tipple and this chocolate, hazelnut and Baileys cake in a nod to the Green Isle.

Being love month and all, it seemed only fitting that I make something from the most loved-up country in the world for this month’s edition of Around the World in 12 Cakes. 

According to The Beatles, all you need is love, and who am I to argue with the musical genii, McCartney, Lennon, Harrison and Star? 

Every month this year I have decided to challenge myself to make a cake or dessert from or inspired by a particular country. 
With Australia Day just around the corner, what better way to kick off this little challenge than to pay homage to my home country, Australia, by putting a little twist on some of our most loved biscuits and sweets - Tim Tams, lamingtons and my personal favourite Iced VoVos.