Anti cupcake

Anti-Cupcake
I am going to say something that I know will shock, upset and anger some you (bakers) out there.
I don’t like cupcakes.
There I said it.
I know it’s the metaphorical baking phrase for kicking a puppy, but I just don’t.
In September I visited the “Cake bake show” in Covent garden. To experience as many culinary delights as possible and see the tiny baking wonder that is Mary Berry. Sadly, what we found was a saturation of cupcake related items, all very similar and engulfing every other sort of baking. I was disappointed to say the least, baking has endless possibilities, and so many savoury options as well! (My personal favourite at the moment is baked Scotch eggs.) I have my own personal reasons of dislike of course, I am not just slinging hatred at these hand sized cakes for nothing.
1. Every and I mean EVERY cupcake I have ever eaten has been dry
2. This is then compensated for by the Everest of icing that proceeds to choke you as you eat it.
3. I don’t really like butter cream 4. Most are over priced
5. And for the clumsy amongst us, it’s just messy to eat.
I tried to make amends with the cupcake. I made a batch not long ago, for a work colleague as a leaving present.
For the unsure amongst you, there meant to be the cookie monster from Sesame Street.
I followed the recipe to the letter; making the sponge and butter cream with as much care as possible. Leaving them to rest over night and keeping them covered and safe. The next day I sat down at my desk with my little googled eyed friend ready to take a bite and take back everything bad I thought of these guys. Sinking my teeth into the buttery sponge, I realised I still didn’t like cupcakes. There was nothing wrong with the flavour, it was just me. I thought of all the glorious wedges of cake I have eaten before and this in terms of baking just didn’t compare.
Cookie monster stared at me...one eyed now.
I turned him away and wished he was a Scotch egg.
If anyone disagrees with my views of cupcakes, and can suggest anywhere that does exceptional one’s I will be happy to try them.
And if you’re really unhappy with my thoughts, please feel free to post me one directly so I can change my mind!

For my first post I decided to go with a seasonal theme. The Christmas markets!

Fairy lights entwining every available post.

A rotund inflatable man, wobbles jollily on top of the town hall, observing all around him.

The crowds are bustling, but happy. As a sea of woolly coats, hats, gloves, jumpers and mittens moves slowly round the stalls.

The rich smells of the foreign fair greet your senses; mulled wine, cooked meats, and sweet treats.

Carefully crafted knitwear, hand carved owls, and  shiny trinkets call quietly to me from their tables.

My pocket feels suddenly heavy with the weight of coins that want to be liberated on all these exciting things.

This is only my second visit to the German Christmas markets. But since that first time (and perhaps for the first time in my holiday cynical life!) I felt truly festive.

I loved it, and fully embraced it for all it’s Christmas-y goodness. I couldn’t get enough of the sights, sounds and smells of this little German market or how it made the centre of Manchester look a little bit like the inside of “it’s a small world”.  

The people here are friendly too, on one particular street the offer of samples was so abundant I felt quite full! (But of course, I found room for more!)

The food available is rich and tasty, and above all comforting, in the bitter chill of winter.

In fact, the Christmas markets famous pulled pork rolls inspired us to have a hog roast of our own this summer!

And despite the window display protests of the high street shops surrounding the Christmas markets, they stay strong and busy which makes my heart glow.

Anyway to celebrate these wonderful markets returning to town, I have decided to make one of my favourite treats from them.

Coconut macaroons. Partly because I have desiccated coconut to bake with, and partly because I keep spending a small fortune on them when I go to town.

So here they are.

Coconut Macaroons recipe:

200g dessicated coconut

2 egg whites

100g sugar 

1 tbs vanilla essence 

Heat oven to medium heat, fan 180c

Mix the coconut, sugar, egg whites and vanilla in a bowl till blended and sticky. 

Line a oven proof tray with grease proof paper 

Using your hands, mould the mixture into little half balls (so the bottom is flat) or if you have one. Use a ice cream scoop and plop the mixture on the tray. 

Bake for roughly 15 mins till golden and then eat with a cup of tea! x

 

 http://www.visitmanchester.com/articles/shopping/christmas-markets/