Jammy Doughnut Muffins ~ Sweet & Simple Bakes Monthly Bake!

Last month seems to have flown by and here we are at the beginning of a new month, this means time to present ‘Sweet and Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event’. For this month’s bake, I presented Jammy Doughnut Muffin’s, which just happens to be one of my favourite recipes. These muffins not only take minutes to make and bake but also they are such a sweet and simple bake! There are variations of fillings that maybe used to fill the muffin centres, please view my notes below. These little beauties are definitely superb to add to your repertoire if family or friends happen to call by unannounced for afternoon tea!

Jammy Doughnut Muffins

Makes 12

Ingredients
275g (10 oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
3 tsp baking powder
Pinch salt
100g (4 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
2 eggs
200ml (7 fl oz) milk
75g (3 oz) unsalted (sweet) butter, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract
12 tsp strawberry or raspberry jam
For The Toping
100g (4 oz) unsalted (sweet) butter
150g (5 oz) granulated sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)

You will need 12 hole muffin tin lined with paper cases.

Method

Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas mark 5.

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a large mixing bowl, and stir through the sugar. In large jug, lightly beat the eggs then add the milk, cooled butter and vanilla extract and beat together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients stir gently until just combined. (Do not over mix, its fine to have a few lumps in the mixture.) Spoon half the muffin mixture into the base of each paper case. Top each muffin with a teaspoon of jam. Now equally between each paper case, top with the remaining muffin mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes until well risen, golden and firm to the touch.

For The Topping: melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat. Spread the granulated sugar in a wide, shallow bowl with the cinnamon if using. When the muffins are baked, leave in the tin for 5 minutes. Dip the tops of the muffins in the melted butter and then roll in the sugar. You can serve these muffins warm or cold; however, I do prefer to eat them whilst warm.

Note: Any flavoured jam would be equally as delicious to use in this bake as opposed to strawberry and raspberry. You may have some delectable homemade jam(s) you wish to use or what about the sublime Dulce de Leche, (“toffee sauce”) even a thick vanilla custard or stewed apples. The amount of baking powder is correct in this recipe, I know it seems a vast amount but it does work.

Lastly slip into the sublime world of Jammy Doughnut Muffins and eat your heart out on a muffin or two....mmmmmmm....

The posting date for the round-up of all our S&SB Bakers is 2nd September on Sweet and Simple Bakes Blog, please do call by and view our S&SB bakers

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting ~ Sweet & Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event.

The first of the month means time to present ‘Sweet and Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event’. I presented a tried and tested recipe this month of a “Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting”. Carrot cake has to be one the best classical cakes around, and I have never found anyone yet who refuses a slice. The use of carrots has been included in many sweet recipes in Britain since medieval times. There are many recipes for carrot cake, but for me this has to be one of my family favourites! You could exchange the sultanas for raisins and walnuts for pecan nuts it really is a forgiving cake that does not mind a few little tweaks here and there. The wet ingredients added to the dry ingredients and mixed together in this bake makes for yet another sweet and simple bake. The cream cheese frosting finishes off the cake a treat. However, the frosting maybe omitted if you so wish and served plain. I have seen little fondant carrots adorn tops of cakes and they do look fantastic or for simplicity a few sprinkles of choice or walnut halves, work just as well for me.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Serves 12

Ingredients
180g (6½ oz) self-raising (self-rising) flour
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
Pinch of salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
½ tsp mixed spice (Pumpkin pie spice)
2 eggs
150 ml (5 fl oz) vegetable or sunflower oil
200g (7 oz) soft light or dark brown sugar
300g (11 oz) grated carrots
100g (4 oz) sultanas
75g (3 oz) walnuts, chopped (optional)
Cream Cheese Icing
75g (3 oz) cream cheese
75g (3 oz) softened butter
125g (4½ oz) icing sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
For Decoration
Sprinkles or walnut halves - optional

You will need a 13cm x 23cm (5 in x 9 in) loaf tin, oil and line the loaf tin with greaseproof paper.

Method

Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas mark 2. Sift all the dry ingredients into a bowl and leave aside. Beat the eggs in a large bowl, now add the oil, brown sugar, grated carrot, sultanas and chopped walnuts. Stir in all sifted dry ingredients and bring the mixture together with a wooden spoon. Turn into the prepared tin, smooth the top of the mixture and bake in the oven for 1 – 1¼ hours or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool completely.

To make The Cream Cheese Icing: Beat the cream cheese and butter together in a bowl until combined. Add the vanilla extract, icing sugar and mix to combine. Using a palette knife, spread the icing evenly over the top of the cooled cake. Add the sprinkles or walnut halves if desired. Served cut into slices.

Note: I would advise you to store this cake in a cool place due to the cream cheese icing.

Lastly slip into the sublime world of Carrot Cake and eat your heart out on a slice or two....mmmmmmm....

*I have submitted this post via scheduled posting to ensure the correct posting date due to holidays; we have prearranged plans for a day trip.*

Don’t worry folks; I will be back for posting the round-up tomorrow (2nd August) on Sweet and Simple Bakes Blog, please do call by and view our S&SB bakers creations. If you would like to join in our monthly bake, we would be most delighted to have you join in and bake with us – everyone is welcome!

Chocolate Orange Drizzle Loaf Cake ~ Sweet and Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event.

The first of the month means time to present ‘Sweet and Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event’. It was my turn to choose a tried and tested recipe this month. I presented a recipe that I have been baking for years and a huge favourite of my family “Chocolate Orange Drizzle Loaf Cake”. This loaf cake has three elements to it but I assure don’t let that put you off as it remains a sweet & simple bake. The first element is the orange sponge loaf the second being the wonderful orange drizzle and thirdly a topping of chocolate. I know this is such a classic combination of flavours that never cease to lose their appeal. This would make a great teatime cake cut into slices and served with a lovely cup of tea – perfect!

Chocolate Orange Drizzle Loaf Cake

Ingredients

For The cake
175g (6 oz) softened butter
175g (6 oz) caster (super fine) sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
Finely grated zest of 2 oranges
175g (6 oz) self-raising flour, sifted
2 tbsp milk
For The Orange Syrup
Juice of 1 orange
100g (4 oz) granulated sugar
For The Topping
50g (2 oz) dark chocolate or milk chocolate – your choice
Sprinkles of choice (optional)

You will need a 900g (2 lb) loaf tin – greased with a little butter and lined with greaseproof paper or non-stick baking paper.

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan oven 160°C/350°F/Gas mark 4.

In a mixing bowl, add the butter and sugar and beat together until light and fluffy in appearance. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well until fully incorporated. Add the orange zest, flour and milk and fold in gently with a spatula or large metal spoon. Turn into the prepared tin, smooth the top of the mixture and bake in the oven on middle shelf 35 -45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin. When cool make little holes in the cake with a skewer, (this is important for pouring the syrup onto the cake to ensure the syrup soaks in fully.)

For The Orange Syrup

Put the orange juice and granulated sugar into a pan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and boil for a couple of minutes. Pour over the top of the cake. When all the juice has soaked in, carefully remove the cake from the tin.

For The Topping

Melt the chocolate by placing a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water. Once the chocolate has melted, pour over the top of the cake. Either smooth the top over with a spatula or make a little pattern with the prongs of a fork. Add sprinkles if desired, leave chocolate to set before cutting into the cake.

Lastly slip into the sublime world of chocolate orange drizzle passion, and eat your heart out on a slice or two.......mmmmmmmm.....

Please do call by Sweet and Simple Bakes, view our round-up of our other bakers; also, if you would like to join in our monthly bake, we would be most delighted to have you join in and bake with us – everyone is welcome!

Lemon Curd Muffins ~ Sweet and Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event.

Last month seems to have flown by and here we are at the beginning of a new month, this means time to present ‘Sweet and Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event’. It was Maria’s turn to choose a tried and tested recipe, a delectable bake of Lemon Curd Muffins, very quick and easy to make. These little lemon beauties are divine; you get two hits of lemon curd in this recipe. One lemony sugar hit at first bite and nestling inside encased by the softness of the muffin is a splendid gooey pocket of lemony heaven.

Maria also gave a recipe for lemon curd should anyone wish to make their own. I already had an exquisite jar of lemon curd in to use, so I did skip that part, and used what I had. You can find the recipe for homemade lemon curd at Sweet & Simple Bakes Recipes should you wish to make up a batch for these muffins.

I also used normal caster sugar in place of golden caster sugar. I wouldn’t suspect it averted any flavour if much away from this bake.

Lemon Curd Muffins

Makes 12

Ingredients
200g (7 oz) self-raising flour
100g (3½ oz) golden caster sugar
1 large egg
75ml (3½ oz) sunflower oil
75ml (5 fl oz) milk
½ tsp vanilla extract
60ml (12 tsp) lemon curd
For The Sugar Coating
60ml (4 tbsp) lemon curd
50g (2 oz) golden caster sugar

Method

Heat the oven to 190°C/375°F/Gas Mark 5. Line a 12 hole muffin tin with paper cases.

Sieve the flour into a bowl and stir in the sugar. In a large jug mix together the egg, sunflower oil, milk and vanilla extract using a fork. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently together until just combined. Put a teaspoon of the mixture in the base of each paper case. Top with 1 teaspoon of lemon curd. Top with the rest of the muffin mixture.

Bake for 10-15 minutes until risen and firm.

For the sugar coating, microwave the lemon curd on high for 1 minute until melted. Put the sugar into a shallow bowl. Brush the top of each muffin and dip the tops of each one in sugar to coat the tops.

Lastly arm yourself with one of your delectable lemon curd muffins and unwind! Isn't that good?

Please do call by Sweet and Simple Bakes, view our round-up of our other bakers; also, if you would like to join in our monthly bake, we would be most delighted to have you join bake with us – everyone is welcome!

Vanilla Cupcakes ~ Sweet & Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event!

Vanilla Cupcakes

Its springtime and this is my favourite time of the year in England. As I glance out of my window, colours of exploding beautiful blossoms are on view, showing light pinks from my ornamental plum trees, to a deeper pink on my large shrub bush, then white from my pear tree, who could wish for more I ask myself? Another season of awaking brings new life to us once again.

To mark this event of springtime for this month’s bake at ‘Sweet and Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event’ I selected a recipe to hopefully reflect this in colourful Vanilla Cupcakes. This is an easy bake it’s an all-in-one- method for the sponge. The trick here is to ensure your butter is soft enough to blend in quickly with all the other ingredients. These cupcakes taste wonderful with a buttery vanilla sponge, following a creamy delightful vanilla buttercream topping - just like momma used to make!

Vanilla Cupcakes

Makes 12

Ingredients
175g (6 oz) self-raising flour
1½ level tsp baking powder
175g (6 oz) butter, softened
175g (6 oz) caster (superfine) sugar
3 large eggs
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Buttercream Icing
150g (5 oz) butter, softened
300g (11 oz) icing (confectioners) sugar, sifted
1 tbsp milk
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Edible food colouring(s) of choice, optional
Sprinkle(s) for decoration of choice

You will also require a 12 holed muffin tin lined with 12 paper muffin cases

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan oven 160°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. Sift the self-raising flour and baking powder into a large bowl, and then add the butter, caster sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla extract. Beat together until mixed, trying not to over mix the mixture. Spoon the mixture equally into the prepared paper cases and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly pressed. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes then turn out to completely cool on a wire rack.

To make the buttercream, beat the butter until soft. Add the icing sugar and stir until it’s just mixed in, then add the milk and vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Divide into as many bowls as you want different colour(s) and add edible food colouring (you only require a few drops). This is purely optional should you wish to leave out the edible food colouring(s) and keep the buttercream natural. Spread the icing on thickly with a palette knife on top of each cupcake or put the icing into a piping back and make a large swirl on top of each cupcake. Decorate each cupcake with your chosen sprinkle(s).

Top tip for this bake; ensure your butter is soft enough for mixing as this is an all-in-one-method for the sponge mixture. To ensure a feather light sponge, do not over mix the sponge mixture too much.

Lastly, sit back, relax and arm yourself with a cupcake and take a tongue tingling lick of this velvet soft vanilla buttercream, savour, then nibble your way through to the moist vanilla sponge underneath.... mmmmmm....my suggestion of how to eat a good cupcake!

Please do call by Sweet and Simple Bakes and view the round-up of our other bakers. If you fancy joining in our next monthly bake, we would be most delighted to have you bake with us – everyone is welcome!

Oatmeal & Chocolate Chip Cookies ~ Sweet & Simple Bakes

I just couldn’t possibly let Sweet and Simple Bakes Monthly Baking Event pass by without posting my cookies I had previously baked before my recent back hindrance. I had to let you know just how great these cookies are didn’t I !?

This month was Maria’s turn to provide the recipe for all S&SB bakers to bake. I was overjoyed when it turned out to be cookies and chocolate added anywhere into a bake has to have the full thumbs up from me! The recipe was easy to follow and turned out faultlessly - WOW- what a fabulous tasty treat these cookies turned out to be. The cookie tin was empty in no time, and I also noticed one or two cookies being sneaked passed me at a time to be tuck into with joyous sounds of mmmmmmm, these are good!!

Please do call by Sweet and Simple Bakes and view the round-up of our other bakers; also if you fancy joining in our monthly bake, we would be most delighted to have you bake with us – everyone is welcome!

Oatmeal and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

110g (4oz) butter, softened

110g (4oz) caster sugar

110g (4oz) soft brown sugar

1 egg

2 tbsp water

1 tsp vanilla extract

250g (9oz) porridge oats

110g (4oz) self-raising flour

1 level tsp salt

110g (4oz) chocolate chips, raisins or chopped nuts

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), Gas Mark 4.

Cream the butter in a large bowl or in an electric food mixer until soft. Add the sugars and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg, water and vanilla extract while still beating. Reduce the speed and gently mix in the oats, flour, salt and raisins to form a dough. Using your hands, roll the dough into walnut sized balls and place slightly apart on two baking trays. Bake in the oven for 12-25 minutes or until light golden brown but still slightly soft in the centre. Allow to cool on the trays for a minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Lastly, sit back and relax whilst you arm yourself with a cookie and a glass of cold milk, simply enjoy the little pleasures in life – oh absolutely divine!!

Cherry Bakewell Cake ~ Sweet & Simple Bakes.

My apologies that it has been a while since my last post. It wasn’t my intention to leave such a huge gap in blogging but regrettably I have been ill with gastric influenza. I’m still not on top form but I didn’t want to disappoint S&SB bakers with this month’s bake and round-up at Sweet and Simple Bakes.

Many thanks to everyone for all your kind words on my new blog and it really is lovely to *see* you here! ♥♥

Now without further ado let’s go onto this month’s bake for Sweet and Simple Bakes --------->

Time has come again to show case our monthly bake over at Sweet and Simple Bakes. This month it was my turn to post a recipe and I thought a Poll again would be a good fun way of choosing this month’s bake of Cherry Bakewell Cake. If you adore Bakewell Tart then you’re really going to love this cake with its moist and feather-light sponge and almond/ morello cherry flavour running through. It’s an easy all-in-one recipe for the sponge cake and a topping of icing with scattered flaked toasted almonds. I couldn’t resist myself and added a few glacé cherries to finish the decoration off.

Please do call by Sweet and Simple Bakes and view the round-up of our other bakers; also if you fancy joining in our monthly bake, we would be most delighted to have you bake with us!

Cherry Bakewell Cake

Serves 8

Ingredients
For The Cake
200g (8oz butter), well softened, + extra for greasing
200g (8oz) caster sugar
100g (4 oz) ground almonds
100g (4 oz) self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon almond extract or essence
4 large eggs
Pinch of salt
For The Filling & Top
½ a 340g (approx 12 oz) jar of morello cherry conserve/jam
175g (6 oz) icing sugar
5-6 teaspoons water or lemon juice
1 tablespoon flaked almonds, lightly toasted

2 x 20cm (8 in) round sandwich tins, greased with butter and base lined with baking paper.

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 190°C/fan160°C/350°F/Gas mark 4. Using electric beaters, beat together all the cake ingredients until smooth. Divide the batter equally between tins and level the tops with a spatula. Bake in the centre of the oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown and springy to the touch or a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. *Do not open the oven door until 25 minutes of baking to check the cake*. Place the tins onto a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before turning out to fully cool. Make sure the top of one of the cakes is facing up as you’ll want a smooth surface for the icing later on. When cool, put one sponge on a serving plate, then spread with conserve/jam. Sandwich the second sponge on top. Sieve the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add the water or lemon juice, then stir until smooth and thick. Spread evenly over the top and let it dribble over the sides. Scatter with toasted flaked almonds on the icing and leave to set for a few minutes before cutting.

*Notes*

*This is an easy all in one method for making a sponge cake*. *Please make sure your butter is fully softened before you start*.

*If you find morello cherry conserve/jam difficult to source, substitute with raspberry conserve/jam, it will be just as delicious*!

*To toast flaked almonds ~ place a single layer in a dry for toasting. With the frying pan over medium-high heat, stir or shake the nuts continually for 3 to 5 minutes or until they start to turn golden. Remove them from the cooking pan as soon as they're done*.


* A few glacé cherries placed on top of the icing additionally with the flaked toasted almonds would also be a lovely *.


Lastly enjoy a slice with a steaming cuppa!

Banana and Chocolate Loaf ~ Sweet & Simple Bakes.

Time has come again to show case our monthly bake over at Sweet and Simple Bakes. This month Maria presented us with a delicious recipe for Banana and Chocolate Loaf. This is the simplest of bakes to make with an amazing texture and flavour. It’s also a fabulous tried & tested recipe just what Sweet & Simple Bakes is all about! I always seem to have a few ripe bananas lurking in my fruit bowl and I really loathe throwing away food! A slice of this loaf cake served with a steaming cuppa is perfection in my book anytime of the day.

Please do call by Sweet and Simple Bakes and view the round-up of our other bakers; also if you fancy joining in our monthly bake, we would be most delighted to have you bake with us!

Banana and Chocolate Loaf

Serves 10-12

Ingredients

250g (9oz) self-raising flour

Pinch of salt

1 tsp baking powder

150g (5oz) caster sugar

100g (3 ½ oz) butter, softened

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

Finely grated zest of 1 orange

475g (17oz) whole bananas (about 4 small ones), peeled

75g (3oz) dark chocolate chips

13 x 23cm (5x9in) loaf tin *I used a 900g (2 lb) loaf tin*

Method

Preheat the oven to 170°C /325°F/ Gas mark 3. Lightly butter and line the loaf tin with parchment paper. Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the sugar and butter and, using your fingertips, rub it in until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Whisk the eggs, vanilla extract and orange zest in another bowl. Add the bananas and mash very well with a potato masher. Add the chocolate chips. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the banana mixture. Gently but thoroughly bring all the ingredients together with a wooden spoon, and then pour into the prepared loaf tin. Smooth the top and bake in the oven for 1-1 ¼ hours or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing the cake from the tin and leave to cool on a wire rack.