What are you baking?

[Biddlybee]

Yesterday I made a Dundee cake. Today I'm going to make a chocolate Guinness cake and some gingerbread with the other half of the can. I think I must want my slightly puritanical parents to be appalled when they come over for tea later I also want cake

Eta: appalled by the quantities of cake not the Guinness, I mean.

How did I miss this post yesterday? Three different types of cake?

*checks train times*

 

[Rebelda]

Is the weight of apples before or after coring etc?

I'm not sure. Eta: pressed reply too soon. I'll check in the morning although it's not a very effusive book. I definitely used more than she specified. My granny used to say always double what it says the filling should be. Eta again: not about that particular cake just in general. I need to go to sleep, I'll stop now

 

[Rebelda]

How did I miss this post yesterday? Three different types of cake?

*checks train times*

You invited me over so you must have sensed it one has been given away.

 

[Biddlybee]

Cakedar

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Right so inspired by my efforts a few days ago I should probably buy some stuff. Think the main thing I need is are cake tins. I'm still working out ingredients and how much they make, but what's a good size if I don't want to produce epic cakes and I'd there anything special I should look for?

Also what are everybodies favourite sites and books? Don't want to spend a fortune, but it's nice to browse for inspiration sometimes.

 

[BoatieBird]

Right so inspired by my efforts a few days ago I should probably buy some stuff. Think the main thing I need is are cake tins. I'm still working out ingredients and how much they make, but what's a good size if I don't want to produce epic cakes and I'd there anything special I should look for?

Also what are everybodies favourite sites and books? Don't want to spend a fortune, but it's nice to browse for inspiration sometimes.

My cake tin collection has been built up over the years by buying stuff I don't already have as and when it's needed (plus being given stuff).

I love a lot of the Nigella cake recipes, her coffee and walnut cake being a particular favourite of mine
Coffee and Walnut Layer Cake
Also, you can't go wrong with Merry Berry

 

[wtfftw]

Right so inspired by my efforts a few days ago I should probably buy some stuff. Think the main thing I need is are cake tins. I'm still working out ingredients and how much they make, but what's a good size if I don't want to produce epic cakes and I'd there anything special I should look for?

Also what are everybodies favourite sites and books? Don't want to spend a fortune, but it's nice to browse for inspiration sometimes.

I'd start with a 20cm spring clip tin. Often cakes are two layers of those sandwiched and this way you've also got the loose bottom for some things and deeper sides for taller cakes. 2 of those and a loaf tin covers most stuff I find.

I like bbcgoodfood.com

 

[wtfftw]

And phwoar at all the cakes.


Is there a tried and tested Dorset apple cake recipe? Or did I dream that bit?

 

[5t3IIa]

And phwoar at all the cakes.


Is there a tried and tested Dorset apple cake recipe? Or did I dream that bit?

I too am interested in this I'm sick of buttercream

 

[UnderOpenSky]

I'd start with a 20cm spring clip tin. Often cakes are two layers of those sandwiched and this way you've also got the loose bottom for some things and deeper sides for taller cakes. 2 of those and a loaf tin covers most stuff I find.

I like bbcgoodfood.com

Great. I shall get some ordered from Amazon. Need to spend a few more quid to get free postage. Need a new oven thermometer as mine has gone manky, what other small items are good to have?

On a slightly related note with kit, what speed do most cakes get mixed at? I got a Kenwood Food Mixer for bread baking and it can really beat stuff around? Can you have such a thing as to much power or does it just get the whole process done quicker?

 

[BoatieBird]

Have you got baking parchment UnderAnOpenSky?

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Have you got baking parchment UnderAnOpenSky?

Yes. We had some in stock and used it for that drizzle cake. No idea why we had it, but it was useful, although I need to get better and lining a loaf tin with it. Made the sides look a bit irregular.

 

[polly]

If you have time and aren't freaked out by the idea, charity shops are a good source of baking utensils, UnderAnOpenSky.

I second the Nigella recommendation for recipes.

 

[Biddlybee]

And phwoar at all the cakes.


Is there a tried and tested Dorset apple cake recipe? Or did I dream that bit?

I've made the one on bbcgoodfood a few times now and it's lush, gets better by the day iyswim?

Going to try an apple desert cake tomorrow though

 

[Biddlybee]

My most splodged on cake book is 'Mary Berry's Ultimate Cake Book' it's a great book.

I'm also a fan of Nigella and bbcgoodfood

But tbh I don't bake much cake because I eat it ALL!!

 

[Biddlybee]

Looks quite similar to this one, which is my go to apple cake

Here you go wtfftw, it's a traybake not round, and I've only ever used eaters.

 

[wtfftw]

Wicked ta.

 

[wtfftw]

Great. I shall get some ordered from Amazon. Need to spend a few more quid to get free postage. Need a new oven thermometer as mine has gone manky, what other small items are good to have?

On a slightly related note with kit, what speed do most cakes get mixed at? I got a Kenwood Food Mixer for bread baking and it can really beat stuff around? Can you have such a thing as to much power or does it just get the whole process done quicker?

Cooling rack?
Palette knife, silicone spatula?

I find cakes really forgiving. I've never considered speed. Stand mixer entirely fine but mainly I just use one of those electric whisk things.

 

[Biddlybee]

Muffin/fairy cake tin.

 

[Biddlybee]

Roasting tin can double as tray for flapjacks/brownies.

 

[UnderOpenSky]

Muffin/fairy cake tin.

Fairy cakes.

 

[BlueSquareThing]

On a slightly related note with kit, what speed do most cakes get mixed at? I got a Kenwood Food Mixer for bread baking and it can really beat stuff around? Can you have such a thing as to much power or does it just get the whole process done quicker?

Yes - once you've added flour, too much beating and power will develop the gluten which will make the cake harder than you'd want it to be (the opposite of what you want with bread).

I usually beat the butter and sugar together starting slower but rapidly moving up the max. Eggs can be added bit by bit on max and then to add flour drop it all the way down to as low as you can go and don't overmix.

And a cooling rack for sure is essential. Anything else techy is getting into the realms of decoration.

 

[friedaweed]

OK so I gots some starter from ebay.

I'm feeding it daily and it's very active. Made a loaf last night which is nice but how do it gets teh big bubbles in me bread?

Any recipe ideas for a novice?

 

[UnderOpenSky]

OK so I gots some starter from ebay.

I'm feeding it daily and it's very active. Made a loaf last night which is nice but how do it gets teh big bubbles in me bread?

Any recipe ideas for a novice?

I'm still very much still learning, but good stuff on this thread.

Breadmaking

 

[friedaweed]

I'm still very much still learning, but good stuff on this thread.

Breadmaking

Doh! I thought this was the bread fred. Dough >>>>

 

[BoatieBird]

Here you go wtfftw, it's a traybake not round, and I've only ever used eaters.

I'm might make one of those tomorrow

 

[Biddlybee]

I should've gone with the Dorset traybake recipe, did the apple dessert cake instead... it's ok, not enough apples, and missing the spices I think. Will be nice enough with custard but not brilliant on its own. Oh well, know for next time. Looks pretty at least



Almond coconut cake lush as ever though


(I've cut it in half to take somewhere not eaten half already btw)

 

[Biddlybee]

UnderAnOpenSky there's baking stuff in Lidl from today, tins, spatulas, scales, mixers etc.

 

[Biddlybee]

Dairy free almond pistachio and coconut loaf.

 

[Rebelda]

*wags tail*