Teacup Chocolate Soufflés

Oh dear a bit disastrous this week! Soufflés are notoriously difficult to make.
Mine looked great in the oven but collapsed quickly as I took them out to photogrpah.
So I reccomend if you are going to attempt this recipe serve them straight away.
They are definately a fun way to use your teacup collection though!
This recipe makes 6 Chocolate Soufflés.

You'll need...
115g plain chocolate
2 tbsp of water
300ml milk
40g butter
40g plain flour
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs
50g caster sugar
Plus some icing sugar for dusting

To Make...
Pre-heat the oven to 190oC heat a empty baking tray ready for your soufflés.
Lightly grease six teacups. Shop for my Debenhams collection here
Weigh out all your ingredients ready and separate the eggs.
Break up the chocolate and put in a pan with the water and 2 tbsp of the milk.
Stir over a low heat until the chocolate has melted.
Add the rest of the milk and bring to the boil.
Remove from the heat.
Melt the butter in another pan
Stir in the flour and cook on a low heat for 2 mins.
Stir in the chocolate milk, return to the heat and bring to the boil.
Leave to cool, you can do the above steps in advance if you have a dinner party planned.
Beat in the egg yolks slowly.
Whisk the egg whites until they are stiff.
Whisk in the sugar.
Take one spoon of the egg whites and stir into the chocolate mix to loosen it.
Then carefully fold in the rest.
Pour into your teacups and bake for 25mins. 
They should be firm on top and gooey in the middle.
Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.

Mojitio Fairy Cakes

 

The Great British Bake off is back on the telly! I'll be doing a bake along with the show as I did last year and attempt to make something each week in the same category. I'll be posting photos of what I've made and the recipe too so you can try it at home too. This week the category was miniture cakes, so I've made mojitio fairy cakes inspired by my favourite cocktail.

You'll need...

Cupcake cases
100g Softened butter
100g caster sugar
100g self raising flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon baking powder

For the icing...

200g icing sugar
1 tablespoon white rum
Juice of 1 lime
Fresh Mint leaves

To make...

Pre-heat the oven to 180oC
Place twelve cupcake cases into a muffin tray
Put all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix until smooth
Spoon the mixture into the cases and fill 3/4 full
Bake for 15-20mins until they have risen and are golden brown (do not open the oven early as they will sink in the middle)
Leave to cool on a wire rack for 10 mins
Meanwhile make your icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl and gradually add the rum and lime juice until you have a smooth, fairly stiff icing.
Spoon over the top of your cakes and decorate with mint leaves

It's Pimms O'clock

Bring on the heat wave, what a perfect way to celebrate the sunshine with the classic Pimms.
I  have a new range of floral, hi-ball glasses available in Debenhams at the moment, which are perfect for Pimms on the lawn with pretty handpainted summer florals. Get yours now and try this recipe at home...

Classic Pimms Recipe
3 parts lemonade to one part Pimm's,
1/2 an orange,
1/2 a lemon,
4 slices of cucumber,
6 strawberries,
And few sprigs of mint

Pour the Pimm's into a large jug with some ice, slice the fruit and add all the ingredients to the jug.
Top with lemonade, lightly stir and serve. This recipe is also really nice with ginger beer instead of lemonade.



Exclusive to Debenhams for a limited time only!
Item No.3340069017

Lime & Ginger Cheesecake

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You'll need...

500g ginger biscuits, crushed
230g unsalted butter, melted
400g full fat soft cheese
350ml double cream
2 limes, juice & rind
100g icing sugar

To make...

Mix the biscuits with the melted butter and press into a cake tin
Chill in the refrigerator for about an hour.
Lightly whip the cream and then mix in the cream cheese and lime juice.
Add the lime zest and mix in thoroughly.
Add the icing sugar to taste
Spoon onto the biscuit base and spread evenly over the surface.
Chill in a refrigerator for 4 hours until firm.