Cupcake Push Pops

I recently stumbled upon an amazing idea, an idea so amazing yet so simple that I can't believe I didn't think of it earlier.  That idea is, wait for it.... cupcake push pops!!  Awesome, right?!  I used to love push pops when I was a kid, then when posh pops became like, so totally passé, ring pops were my new love.  Any new and novel way to eat something sweet and I was first in line, pocket money in my clammy, clenched fist.  So when I discovered these cupcake versions I instantly purchased the containers and baked up a batch.  Needless to say my friends were super impressed.  Ooohs and ahhhs were soon drowned out by mmmms as the adorable treats were devoured in an instant.  

The thing I love most about these push pops are the simplicity behind them.  All it takes is a batch of your favorite mini cupcakes, your favorite frosting, some cases and hey presto, you can make push pops.  Just pop a mini cupcake into the case, top with frosting and repeat.  Add a few cute sprinkles and you're ready to paint the town red.

Even little Muffin enjoys them.

Now, if you excuse me.  I have more cupcake push pops to make. 

Lil tip from me, a champagne flute is the perfect size to hold your cases as you pipe.  Just saying ;)

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Snapshots of Prague

I thought I'd share some snapshots from my recent trip to Prague.  Prague is the most stunningly beautiful place at Christmas, every door is adorned with a wreath and the scent of cinnamon lingers in the air.  I have never experienced the city at any time other than the festive season (six times and counting) but I'm hoping this Summer I shall rectify this with a trip with some close friends. 

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Golden Syrup Pot Puddings

 

So, here we are, 2012. How bad was it that we started a new year on a Sunday?!  I'm sure all those good intentioned healthy eating resolutions were postponed until today.  Mine certainly were.

For the first time in six year, Kris and I decided to shun the parties, clubs, pubs and firework displays in favour of spending the night in our new home with only ourselves and the cats for company.  A night in with a home cooked meal, a few strawberry beers and rubbish TV was just what the doctor ordered after an exceedingly hectic festive season.

Our New Year was rang in with very full tummies following these delicious pots of syrupy goodness.  Reminiscent of those boil in the tin puddings from my early childhood they're simply sugary sweet tins of nostalgia.  The second I saw these puddings baked in the iconically British Golden Syrup tins I just had to try them.  I've been collecting syrup tins for months just waiting for an excuse to give them a whirl.  If, unlike me, you don't go through tins and tins of treacle you can always bake these little puds in ramekins or heatproof glass jars.  

Golden Syrup Pot Puddings

Ingredients:

150g chopped dates soaked in 125ml of hot, black tea for 2hrs

375g golden syrup

50g unsalted butter

150g light brown sugar

2 large eggs

150g plain flour

1tsp baking powder

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180C.

Drain the dates and put aside.  Whisk butter and sugar together until light and creamy, add the eggs mixing well after each addition.  Add dates to the butter mixture before folding in the flour and baking powder.  

Pour 2tbsp of the golden syrup into each tin, tipping as you pour to coat half way up the sides of the tin.  Divide the pudding batter between the tins and place on a baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the pudding is golden and springs back when you touch it.  Allow the tins to cool for 5 minutes before serving topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Peanut Butter Blossoms

A few weeks ago Pet Lamb attended a less than fabulous market.  The high winds which hit the North of England and Scotland saw a four day market turn into a two day rush!  Thanks to the blustery weather I was left with an abundance of Hershey's Kisses which normally adorn the top of our double chocolate cupcakes.  Rather than resign myself to Kris munching his way through three huge bags, I decided to use them in some relaxing Christmas Eve baking.

I've seen these adorable cookies on many American blogs but always thought Hersheys Kisses were a little too pricey to use in such large numbers.  Up until recently I only ever saw them in the American food section of fancy food halls sporting a massively inflated price tag.  Thankfully the candy company appear to have started trading in the UK, supplying most major supermarkets for a pocket friendly price.  Now if only Junior Mints were to do the same!

Hershey's Peanut Butter Blossoms

Ingredients:

113g unsalted butter

170g smooth peanut butter

70g light brown sugar

65g caster sugar

1 large egg

1tsp vanilla extract

1tsp baking soda

2tbsp milk

200g plain flour

1/4tsp salt

Method:

Preheat oven to 190C and place rack in the center of the oven. 

 

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter until creamy and smooth. Add the peanut butter and sugars and beat until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine. Beat in the milk. 

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the peanut butter mixture and beat until incorporated. Cover and chill the batter for about an hour, or until firm enough to roll into balls.

Roll the batter into 1 inch round balls. Place the granulated white sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each ball in the sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. 

Bake the cookies for about 8 - 10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned. Immediately upon removing the cookies from the oven, place a unwrapped Chocolate Kiss into the center of each cookie, pressing down gently until the cookie just starts to crack. Cool completely on a wire rack. 

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Lennon Wall - Prague

During my recent trip to Prague I set myself the mission of finding the famous John Lennon Wall.  I've visited the city no less than six times and each time, due to ropey maps and guide books, I've gotten myself hopelessly lost trying to sniff out the landmark.  This time, armed with my trusty iPhone and Lonely Planet App nothing would stop me.

The infuriating thing was, once I finally discovered the wall it was actually located right behind the hotel in which I always stay.  D'oh!  Oh well, at least I actually found it.

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