Quick and Easy Valentine's Cupcakes

The baking is generally left down to me, although the Mr certainly can cook! 

We recently received a Cupcake Frosting Pack from Renshaw including Chocolate Snip and Swirl, Vanilla Snip and Swirl, Strawberry Snip and Swirl, Pink and White Pearls, Mini Chocolate Beans, Multi-Coloured Sprinkles and Red Cupcake Cases so the Mr decided to make some Valentine's inspired cakes... for me!

He likes simple, quick and easy recipes so this is perfect for anyone with little time on their hands or for novices. The ready made icing tastes delicious and saves lots of hassle creating your own with the perfect consistency.

Ingredients

4oz butter

4oz sugar

4oz self raising flours

2 medium eggs

Method

Preheat the oven to 200 degree

Combine all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.

Divide the mixture equally between 10 cupcake cases

Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden

Move to a wire rack to cool

Decorate with the Renshaw toppings and Snip and Swirl frosting

Scoff!

Will you be baking for Valentine's Day?

Simple Jam Sponge

The cold weather is expected to last and even worsen over the next few weeks so I've really been cranking out the warm desserts after dinner. Sponges are great winter warmers and this jam version can be whisked up in a matter of minutes for happy tummies all round...

It's delicious reheated for lunch the following day too!

Ingredients (serves 4-5)
4 heaped tbsp seedless jam
2 medium eggs
4oz caster sugar
4oz butter (and extra for greasing)
4oz self raising flour

Method
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
Grease a pudding basin thoroughly and spoon in the jam
In a bowl, mix together the butter and sugar followed by the flour and eggs
Pour the mixture over the top of the jam and level out
Cook for around 25 until golden (use a skewer to ensure it is cooked in the middle)
Turn out onto a plate
Scoff!


For a similar alternative try our syrup sponge recipe

*This is my entry into the Co-operative Electrical competition.*

Perfect Pizzas

Although the odd takeaway is nice they can be quite expensive, but a decent dough is essential to create your own pizza at home. This one I've made many times and it's quick and simple.
 A friend of mine saw a picture I'd added to Facebook of it last week and was keen to know the recipe - so I thought I'd share it on here for all!

Ingredients

(Makes 2 adult and 2 children's sized pizzas)

2tsp/one 7g sachet of yeast

1 tsp caster sugar

370ml warm water

600g plain flour

65ml olive oil

1 tsp salt

Method

• Mix the water, yeast and sugar together in a bowl and set to the side for approx 5 minutes
• Pour the mixture into the flour, oil and salt (in another bowl) and mix until it forms a soft dough
• Knead for five to ten minutes until smooth and elastic in texture
• Place back into the bowl, cover and leave in a warm location to rise for 30 minutes
• Remove the dough, split into 4 balls, roll out and add your toppings
• Bake for around 10 minutes until golden at 180 degrees
• Scoff!