#185 Raspberry Bakewell cake
... a winner for Mother's day.
Hello friends! Happy Sunday! Happy International Women’s Day!!! I had grand plans to make a Mimosa cake for us to celebrate. Think bright yellow, fluffy genoise sponges, layered with a creamy custard and maybe some zingy curd situation, then coated in diced sponge crumbs to make it look fluffy, like Mimosa flowers! SO damn cute!!! But when I calculated that, all being well, I would need 11 eggs to create the masterpiece I had in mind, it made my head spin and I chickened out. I’m disappointed with myself really because the idea of it and its symbolism alone, makes my eyes beam with joy… I suppose it can wait until next year now, but rest assured, the sentiment (cheering on all the brilliant Women in the World) was/is there - GO GIRLIES! 🌼
This reminds me though, I need (want, it’s not a necessity at all) to change my phone case, I have a dirty green one on at the moment, and I’ve seen I can get a lemon curd yellow version which I think would inject more happiness into my days, yellow is just that colour, isn’t it? The happy colour! My favourite, I think.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this week actually, mainly to distract myself from the news and all the terrifying, atrocities that are happening in the World at the moment, sometimes I utterly despair of humans. Anyway, I’ve been cowardly hiding from it (I know it’s terrible!)… and instead have made notes of my whimsical little thoughts and the moments that have accompanied the thought-ing, so let’s debrief…
I’ve decided that I MUST get outside more. I think the gloom has been playing havoc with my circadian rhythm… I’ve been wanting to sleep during the day and by night, my poor brain is like, we did that earlier babe, let’s partyyyy! So, I’ve made it a priority to ‘outdoors’ myself every day, as much as possible, come rain or shine. Most pleasingly, the weather on Wednesday was SO glorious here that I managed to sit on the front doorstep for a full 27 minutes in just a t-shirt (I mean, I had leggings on as well, but BARE arms). I drank a cup of tea, and I drank in the sunshine, and it was a sweet moment of proper zen; something that rarely happens in my world. Would recommend if the opportunity ever arises!
I’ve been re-reading books because it struck me that you always forget the details of a book and remarkably, I find, when you go in for a second round, you pick up things that you don’t remember ever reading in the first place - a second voyage of discovery!!! It’s also a great way of recycling books, no waste, low cost, tick tick, very good! Also also, I’m a terrible reader, have I told you this before? I’m SO slow and if I try to speed up, the words jumble about a bit, and then I lose track of the topic and it frustrates me so, I sort of half give up, half try to plough on - it’s not a particularly effective strategy. Anyway, I’ve recently reframed reading, the motto now; NO RUSH! Literally 3-5 pages a night (I have to end on an odd number page number, don’t ask why, this is probably evidence of the fact that I’m yet to overcome the superstition issues). It’s taken me since the beginning of October to finish Jilly Coopers ‘Rivals’, (needless to say, the process is SLOW), but it makes a world of difference to the whole experience. I mean, I know what’s happening for a start (bonus!), and I pick up more detail, I also feel less pressure, it’s generally just much more enjoyable. So yeah, if you hate reading and are a bit bad at it too, don’t give up! I’d recommend this approach: slow and steady wins the race, eh? I’ve just started on Lesson’s in Chemistry again, already loving it!
I believe my brain needs more exercise, so I’ve started doing things that I’m currently very bad at and find super hard. I’ve downloaded Duolingo and am learning French. As of Tuesday night, I can play the first few notes of Coldplay’s ‘Clocks’ on the piano - making my fingers work is such an effort. I’m trying to learn plants, this week’s plant is a Mahonia, AND I stumbled across this book by Tilly and Buttons re. sewing, I might get a copy when it’s out because I still haven’t got round to learning how to sew and it feels like a useful skill to crack, you know? The point here is that I have to be bad at the things I try, that way my brain has to work hard, Neuroplasticity is what they call it, isn’t it? I’m Neuroplasticising!
Omg, the dreams… I must briefly tell you about the dreams. There have been mice, planes and the latest, a frothy mayonnaise. I’ve Googled them and according to ‘dream science’, they almost all mean that I’m feeling out of control which is pretty apt for me, isn’t it? Anyway, the mayonnaise one in particular, was powerful… it made me get up at 5am (due to my broken circadian clock) and immediately make mayonnaise. And let me tell you, if you learn one kitchen project in your lifetime, this is a good one to master. Tastes one million times better than anything you could buy in a jar and the process is entirely meditative. 10/10*. I read this echoed by Skye McAlpine in her article from a few years back; 22 things I’ve learned in the kitchen - I highly recommend you give this a peruse btw, I nodded along with all 22 things. I also wonder if we should all (you know, everyone ever) come up with our top kitchen hacks and compile an anthology of them, just think how useful it would be?
(*Ben Lippett shows you how to make an easy peasy speedy version here if you want to try!)
More thoughts (I think I’m almost done!), this is an important one though so take note: make time for the brilliant ones in your life, won’t you? I chatted (text chat) to my little sister and my two MVP’s (my besties) this week and, as well as Mum, I just love them SO much. It just really struck me (again, you know how it does sometimes?) how important they are, and how I so often take them for granted, which is no good. So, yeh, a top tip: make time for your special ones! And if any of mine happen to be reading this, ILYSM, OK?
And a handful of final thoughts/GOOD BITS:
I know I say it all the time, but a great cup of tea is just lovely isn’t it? (unless you hate tea - like Mum). I’ve just tried Brew Tea’s Darjeeling and I feel like the Queen, it’s delicate and delicious!
Herbs and eggs and potatoes - obvs cheese too - are workhorses - they simply NEVER let you down.
BIG NEWS: I have upgraded my toothbrush game, I know, it’s wild!!! I’ve been a loyal Oral B user for yonks but, following the recent tooth dramas, did some research into the alternatives - operation preserve teeth to the MAX and all that. Anyway, I liked what I read about these snazzy sonic ones, so just this week, I’ve transitioned to a Suri electric toothbrush (you may have seen this brand doing the rounds on the social media). My verdict so far is extremely positive, it tickles whilst you brush which makes me chuckle for the full 2-minute cycle, but my teeth have never felt better! It’s an expense, I know, but arguably SO worth it for the sake of healthy gnashers, right?
Country Living Magazine - we get a free digital subscription with a bank account - so random - and I just LOVE flicking through it each month. Reminds me of my youth, when magazines were all we had and they felt SO special? CL is particularly stunning, I think, full of joyful outdoors pics, fun house-y bits, also some quite interesting articles and really useful titbits of information, I’m a fan!
Tripped and fell into Oliver Bonas this week and gosh that’s a dangerous move. I was perilously close to buying: 1 orange cardigan, 2 pairs of socks, 1 pair of glasses, 1 bag, 1 purse, 3 pairs of earrings, I’m fairly certain I could have chucked a few cosmetic bits into the mix too - can’t go wrong with a lip gloss can you? I didn’t have time to commit to any of it which is tremendously lucky, because it could have ended very badly for my bank balance!
Drive to Survive: completed it, it’s fantastic, everyone should watch!!! Crufts: I’m COMPLETELY obsessed with the dogs, I’m in LOVE with Claud(ia), also Claire and Ellie Simmonds, oh and the brief appearance from Amanda Holden - it’s all utterly adorable. F1 this weekend, I have jet lag from getting up to watch across all 3 days of action, but I’m SO excited to have it back! It’s been a strong week for entertainment!
OK… Finally… the week’s sweet beauties: I did a quick retest of a bun recipe that I intend to Easter-ify. I’m really proud of this one, it’s delicious and lasts well and I can’t wait for you to try it, especially when the extra bits have been added. I’ve also been churning out pointless biscuits (a recent hyper-fixation): Viennese whirls, some crunchy, buttery morsels (halfway between shortbread and rich tea), actual shortbread (flavoured with orange and rosemary) and then a honey panna cotta of DREAMS to accompany all the biscuitness; I so want to share this but I feel like people don’t share my panna passion, talk to me friends, are you panna passionate?!
Next up was a Guinness cake test, topped with a walnut praline mascarpone malt cream - quite magnificent - and then some mini peanut butter sponge cakes, topped with more whipped mascarpone, this time flavoured with maple syrup, and paired with raspberry jam - think literal PBJ, just wow! AND finally… the week’s feature bake, one for Mother’s Day celebrations next weekend: a little Raspberry Bakewell number. I’m talking: two layers of fluffy, tender, almond sponge, sandwiched with whipped crème fraîche cream and topped with a veil of icing. Flaked almonds and raspberry halves are the jewels in the crown. I’m biased, but I really think it’s quite special, so Mum-worthy - keep scrolling for more of that goodness.
Crikey, what a lot of CHAOTIC chatter… I’ve literally just dumped my brain on you, sorry about that, hope it makes for some entertaining reading if nothing else!
I also hope you’re all doing ok, finding joy in the (occasional) sweet moments of sunshine and brightness?
As ever, I’m sending the biggest of hugs and so much love to you all!
Steph X X X
Raspberry Bakewell layer cake.
This one was Mum’s idea which is only right really given that it’s ’her cake’ (for Mother’s Day). It does just feel so Mum-day apt though, doesn’t it? Absolutely regal! Fit for a Queen? Sophisticated! Elegant! Full of comfort and charm! Arguably the most PERFECT afternoon tea cake?
Ok so it’s not particularly revolutionary, simply a classic flavour (raspberry, almond aka Bakewell), mashed with a classic concept (Victoria sponge), but it creates something that feels a bit novel, just that bit more special?
It goes like this: two tender, fluffy, buttery almond sponges - lighter than frangipane, a little richer than a Victoria-sponge sponge - are filled with a layer of raspberry jam, and a moussily, light whipped crème fraiche cream. On top is a thin coat of icing - I add a drop of almond extract for a bit more almond flavour - a scattering of flaked, toasty almonds and a halo of raspberry halves add a little extra sparkle.
It’s Simple. Honest. Goodness and I SO hope you like it. 💖
