When you're craving a sweet bite...

...I'm your girl.

Its been so long since I've posted. Yikes. I know.. Shame on me for not posting sooner. I've been baking and baking and now I have lots and lots to share with you.

As you know I've been settled out in California for 4 months. Being in America is ideal for baking as it seems to hold all things great. Cake flour is something I am very fond of. I really enjoy the texture of my cakes and the moisture.

But when there is a will there is a way. No matter where I am in the world, I always get my hands on things that I want.

Speaking of things that I want. Apple Pie. Lemon meringue cupcakes. Chocolate cake.

When I first moved to England. I couldn't find any decent apple pie. Tesco sold some. But the crust wasn't flaky enough and the apples seemed undercooked and soggy all at the same time. I was determined to bake myself a pie that would be mouth watering till the last bite. I set out for the cooking apples and the light brown sugar the arrowroot and of course vanilla extract. I cooked the 6 peeled apples until they softened up. (I do this so they cook at the same pace as my pie crust.) I added the sugar until it turned into a caramel texture. I then added vanilla extract stirred till combined. I added a teaspoon of arrowroot so that it make thicken up. I had my pie. I finally had the perfect pie. My pie crust was soft, flaky and buttery. With each and every slice my fork made it cut through like velvet clouds made of butter. The apples were cooked perfectly and seasoned well with sugar and love. This was 2 years ago. These days I find that I do a much better version than the last.

This time around I had some Barcardi Dark Rum on hand and decided to do a light brown sugar rum reduction. It went so well with the pie. The idea of apples soaked in rum and then reduced into a thick syrup just made me all excited.

The process was very enjoyable. The end product was a success.

Unfortunately the only photo I could manage of this baby was a small part.. but HEY its better then nothing.

Apple Rum Pie

Since I've had to leave the house I've been staying at I needed to use up everything. Another great excuse to bake.

What does one do with lemons and butter eh? Kekeekeke How about Lemon Meringue Cupcakes? :)

I love to make these but they aren't easy to decorate. I want them to look grand. Mind you, I had an appointment to keep so I kept the grand gesture of the meringue down a bit.

I made the cupcakes taste of lemon zest with a lemon curd filling and vanilla meringue topping.

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

There is nothing like starting the new year with baking. I had a serious craving for chocolate cake. So I decided that since people were already coming over to send me off, I thought chocolate cake would be perfect. (Let's be honest, I would have made this cake either way)

I had so much batter left over I couldn't help myself. I'm not one to waste food thanks to my dear uncle for this lesson in life.

I made cupcakes! (duh) I decided to match the cake and cupcakes with chocolate/coconut butter cream frosting. And with each tasty bite the coconut really shines though. I gotta tell ya, no one has complained. I don't think they ever will.

Chocolate Cake!

Chocolate Cupcakes w/ Chocolate/Coconut Butter Cream Frosting.

I hope you all enjoyed this fully loaded blog. Packed with all kinds of treats. I am very excited to get settled again and start baking some new things. Trial and error is lots of fun when sugar is involved. I look forward to feeding most of you..

..until next time my sugar babies.

Ruthless

xxx