Baked a Cake

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.

Last week was the boy's dad's birthday and they were meeting up for a few hours in Sydney. I couldn't make it but couldn't let him make the trip without a little birthday cake. 

This Saturday, the boy and I finally got the chance to visit Newcastle's cutest little cake shop, hello naomi, the shop front owned by the super talented cake decorator Naomi Henderson!

With only one sleep to go until the big man in red makes his way down the chimney you would think that I would be a little bit organised but this year I feel anything but. I am usually feeling pretty relaxed with all my presents wrapped and sitting underneath the tree but this year couldn’t be more different. So what do I do instead of wrap said presents? Bake of course!

This little fire engine was the first cake that I was asked to make for a little boy - had to change my thinking from girly colours and flowers to the brief from Ethan's lovely mum Linda - racing cars, Bob The Builder and fire engines.