A Cake Full of Love

A special occasion is always an ideal time to get your baking game on, which is exactly what I did. Last weekend was my Mum & Dad’s Wedding Anniversary, so I decided that it was a great opportunity to bake a cake and spent about 6 hours in the kitchen that day; preparing, measuring, mixing, whisking, baking, cooling, whisking again, washing, decorating, thinking, wishing I was sitting and taking photographs for my blog!) 

So all in all it was a hectic day, but the outcome was worth every minute.

Rather than going for my usual sponge cake recipe, I wanted to try a different recipe this time as it was a special occasion and you know what they say “Variety is the spice of life” and all that. Because I recently purchased the Lakeland 50^th Anniversary Recipe Book I decided to make the Genoise Sponge (by John Whaite p120, Lakeland 50th Anniversary Recipe Book). I’d heard of a Genoise sponge before on TV and saw recipes in magazines, but didn’t really know what was special about it or what made it different compared to other cakes.

Turns out the Genoise Sponge is different from your usual sponge as a foaming method is used rather than the creaming method (mixing whole eggs and sugar to create volume instead of using a raising agent. The Genoise sponge requires less sugar and butter than usual, so if you like your cakes less sweet, this is the one for you.. However you could always use filling and decoration to make up the flavour and sweetness instead of the cake itself.

I do believe that a Genoise sponge will be reoccurring in my kitchen as it is not difficult to make and it went down a storm. 

So here is my Parent’s Wedding Anniversary Genoise Chocolate Cake!! 

(Basically a Genoise Sponge Cake with a Fruit Explosion)

  

Rather than opting for the Chocolate Ganache filling and topping, I thought it would be easier to use Double cream, whipped with Dark chocolate and Icing Sugar.

 

Phew, that's the cake done!


DECORATING TIME...

  

Hope this gives you ideas and inspiration to bake your own cake for a special occasion.

Wendy x

*Ahem.... #TeamRichard for Great British Bake Off Winner 2014*

Eating Out: Breakfast @ Browns

Food is always a good way to bring people together, whether it is a family dinner, a catch up over lunch or desserts.. So why not Breakfast too? After all, it IS the most important meal of the day! And seeing as though we all need to eat in the mornings, you might as well make an occasion of it. 

This weekend a great friend of mine and myself decided to go for spontaneous breakfast date, which she so kindly surprised me with the location. We went to a lovely restaurant called Brown's Bar & Brasserie which is found on Grey Street in Newcastle. 

I have visited Brown's before on one other occasion for a spot of Afternoon Tea, which I would definitely recommend it to those who have not yet had the opportunity to experience. 

And the best part of Afternoon Tea.... The warm scones! :)

Back to Breakfast then..

Brown's can be found in the heart of Newcastle on the iconic Grey Street, which is accessible and very easy to find. One of the things I love about Browns is that the atmosphere is very relaxing and comfortable, yet the exterior is rather high class and quite professional looking. An ideal place for informal meetings, family get togethers or even just a catch up amongst friends. They have certain menu's depending on the time of day, arriving at 9:30am of course we went for Breakfast.

I ordered the Eggs Benedict; Honey Roast Ham & Poached Egg on a Toasted English Muffin with Hollandaise Sauce. Very delicious, might I add.

My friend opted for the Eggs Royale, which was the same as the Eggs Benedict with the difference of Smoked Salmon.

Also, the toast was AMAZING!! So tasty, soft, crispy & the crust contained seeds, which was a pleasant surprise and something I haven't come across before.

We both enjoyed our breakfast very much and chatted for a good few hours (always a plus as in some restaurants, staff rush customers out after seeing their meal is finished). 
The staff were very friendly and attentive, asking us whether the food was satisfactory or if we required any additional supplements. 

If anyone is looking for a new dining spot, it is safe to say.. You should consider Brown's!








Wendy x