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Smash! VIP Night - Ping Pong, Pizza, and Drinks!


Ping-Pong is the name and the game at Smash, a new bar in Reading town centre. I was invited to check it out before it opened the doors to the public last Friday night!


There are plenty of bars in Reading, but none quite like this one. I felt right at home as it has a very American feel through the decor and the fact that they call themselves a bar.


I've done the nights out on the town just hanging out in a bar/pub and I can say that Smash offers something different, a game, one that I've learned I'm not very good at, but was so much fun trying!


There are four ping-pong tables set up in the back of the bar and if you want to have a try you can book a table in hourly slots and is a minimum of £5 for that hour. If you get hungry they have a nice selection of handmade pizzas! And if you get thirsty they have a variety of craft beers and ales as well as an exciting cocktail menu!


With ping pong, pizza and pints you can't go wrong!

Book a table today to avoid disappointment! Also watch out for their events! Every day from 12pm-4pm enjoy their Daily Smash offer, which allows you to play ping pong and enjoy a pizza and a drink for only £6.95!


Do you think you have what it takes to be a ping pong champion? Join in a Ping Pong Tournament this Saturday (4th of June 2016) starting at 3pm!

Ping Pong isn't the only game you can watch at Smash visit this Sunday (5th of June 2016) and catch the Sweden v Wales Euro 2016 warm up game. Book a table for you and your friends and enjoy the match with a pizza and pint!

Find out more about Smash and their events on their website: http://www.smashbars.co.uk

from What's On Berkshire 

Did I mention that I got to be Ollie Locke from Made in Chelsea? I did!


notes: I was invited to the VIP night as a guest - All opinions are my own - I was not compensated in any other way for this post. For more information please visit my contact/policy page tab above.

Snicker (stuffed) Brownies


You are only as old as you feel.

One of those sayings that is suppose to give hope to people who are afraid of getting old that if you are 50 odd it doesn't matter if you still feel 25! However, there are times that it could mean the opposite. I am going to be 33 in about a week and right now at the moment I feel like I'll be turning 53! Maybe 103?

I feel like I've lived a million lifetimes and I could do with a good nap.

Then after my nap I'll get up and binge watch the new series of TMNT with my girls, maybe thrown in a bit of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic and feel about 8 again!

Anyway, May is a busy month of birthday's not only do I have a May birthday it was a good friend's birthday last week. He loves Snickers and I had all these ideas and thoughts on how I was going to make him a Snicker like cake.

Then I just thought you know what brownies taste great with chocolate bars in them so that's what I did and I was right. It's not very often that happens, me being right about something, especially at the moment, but this time I can definitely say I got it right.

I have made these brownies a million times in a million different ways and they have turned out great every time. The recipe originated from a special edition of a Good Food magazine a few years back and the caramel sauce comes from the Outsider Tart Baked in America cookbook.


Snicker (stuffed) Brownies: 

150g dark chocolate, broken up
150g milk chocolate, broken up
250g salted butter
400g light muscovado sugar
4 large eggs
140g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
8 Snicker bars

Preheat oven to 180C/gas4 and line an 8in square pan with parchment paper. Line the 8 Snicker bars on the bottom. I didn't want mine touching so spaced them out a bit. But line them up however you want!
Very gently melt both chocolates with the butter and sugar in a medium saucepan. Just before the chocolate is completely melted, take off the heat and gently stir until it’s completely melted.
 Then add the eggs one at a time to the melted chocolate mixture. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the pan and stir until just combined.
Gently pour the mixture over the Snicker bars and bake in the pre-heated oven for a minimum of 35 minutes. As these are bit fatter they may need an extra five minutes. Up to you though! Leave to cool as you make the caramel sauce.



Caramel Sauce
225g sugar
120ml water
120ml double cream
60g butter
100g salted peanuts, chopped

Combine sugar and water in a heavy saucepan. Gently whisk before placing the saucepan on a low heat. Once it is on the heat it is important you do not stir it. Swirling the pan is okay, just don't put a spoon in and stir. As the mixture heats brush with a wet pastry brush to remove any crystals that have formed. 
When making caramel it's important to stay close by as it go from clear, to a beautiful amber color, to burnt in a matter of seconds. I suggest keeping it on a low heat which means it can take about 20 minutes or so. Once the mixture takes on an amber/caramel color take it off the heat and add a little bit of the cream and whisk it in. It will bubble up so be careful! Then continue to whisk the cream in little by little until combined. Add the butter and whisk until smooth. Cool slightly before pouring on top of the cooled brownies. Sprinkle over the chopped peanuts and leave to cool in the fridge for about an hour.


For more treat filled brownies check these out: 

Rolo Brownies from Penne For Your Thoughts
Peanut M&M Brownies from Emily's Recipes and Reviews 
Rolo Stuffed Brownies from Supper in the Suburbs 
Slow Cooker Crunchie Brownies from BakingQueen74
Caramel Egg Brownies from Lovely Appetite