Chocolate Bailey's Nanaimo Bars

You know how one day you’re just living life and then something happens that changes your life forever? And it makes you wonder how you ever lived before?

That’s exactly how I felt after I tried my first Naniamo bar. How did I live before these bars came into my life? They are the best no-bake bars I have ever had.

If you don’t know what a Naniamo Bar is, it’s a bar that has a nutty, coconut, biscuit base topped with a creamy custard like filling and a layer of chocolate. They are named after a town in Canada. There is some debate about where they originated, but does it really matter after the first bite. All that matters is where and when you will get more!

When I went in search for a recipe most of the ones I found were in American cup measurements. It’s not a problem, but since I've been baking in the UK for some long I have just gotten used to using scales. For these no-bake bars cups just make sense as there is a lot of throw this or that together! 

OXO now have a 7 Piece Measuring Cup set available which is exciting to me because it includes a 1 and a ½ cup as well as a ¾ cup! They also have a matching 7 Piece Measuring Spoon set of measuring spoons. If you would like a chance to win a set of each including a Baking Spatula and a magic Baker’s Dusting Wand please follow the instructions in the widget below!

The best part of these bars is that the creamy custard middle can be adjusted in many ways. In this one I have added some Chocolate Baileys! They are one of the most addicting things I have ever made and here’s how I made them... 

Chocolate Bailey’s Nanaimo Bars

the base:

½ cup (114g) butter

¼ cup sugar

5 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 large egg, beaten

1 ½ cups rich tea biscuits, crushed

½ cup chopped mixed nuts

1 cup sweet and tender shredded coconut

Line an 8x8inch square pan with greaseproof paper. Make sure there is some over hang for easy removal. Melt the butter, sugar, and cocoa powder in a saucepan. Then add in the beaten egg and whisk quickly until it’s a thick glossy chocolate. Remove from the heat before adding in the crushed tea biscuits, chopped nuts, and coconut. Fold until combined and then press down into the prepared pan. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. About 15 minutes in start the middle layer.

middle layer:

½ cup (114g) butter, softened

2 tablespoons & 2 tsp Chocolate Bailey’s

2 tablespoons custard powder

2 cups icing sugar

Beat the butter for a few minutes in a freestanding mixer until soft. Then add the Chocolate Bailey’s, custard powder, and icing sugar and beat until lighter in color and fluffy. It can take around 5 minutes. Then spread over the base layer, try to get it as flat as possible. Then chill while you make the top layer.

top layer:

114g dark chocolate

1 ½ tablespoons butter

Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over a simmering pot of water. Once it’s completely melted very gently spread it over the middle layer. Place in the fridge for about an hour before cutting into squares.

NOW CLOSED

How to enter: 

OXO GOOD GRIPS Giveaway

notes: in association with OXO please see contact/policy page for more information. I bought the Bailey’s they are in no way promoting this post. Recipe adapted from Cakespy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life by Jessie Oleson.

Baking Book Gift Guide

It is the day after Thanksgiving. 

Sometimes it's also known as Black Friday. In the states after Thanksgiving people start getting ready for Christmas. A lot of families will be putting up trees and other decorations this weekend, along with starting their Christmas shopping.

It makes a bit of sense really, if the stores know that people are going to be shopping over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend then why not entice them in more with some great savings? 

It suits both retailers and shoppers. One makes a lot of money while the other gets some great savings. I don't like the chaos and you will never find me going out on Black Friday, but I don't hate it either.

So, because a lot of people will be starting their shopping this weekend I though I would write up a quick "gift guide" based on baking and cook books that I own. Then at the end of the post I have included my book "wish list" for books I wold love to read!

I have chosen these books because I think they would make great gifts for bakers with particular tastes! Some are just because they are a good read! 

To me it's not just about the recipes, it's about what they have to say as well! I like a cookbook that I can read and get into too! 

 

Cake by Rachel Allen

This literally has every and any cake you’d ever want to make in it! A great book for cake lovers!

Cake Days and Home Sweet Home by Hummingbird Bakery

Cake Days is the book that really started my baking and blogging life. I can’t recommend it enough. It has amazing recipes perfect for every season. 
Home Sweet Home is just as good! Perfect for a new or experienced baker! 

Chocolat by Eric Lanlard

~ For the chocolate lover in your life! 

Crumb by Ruby Tandoh

It is one of the most informed baking books I have ever read. Perfect for a new baker! 

Fat Witch Brownies by Patricia Helding

I think this has some of the best bars and brownies I have ever come across! Perfect for brownie lovers!

Jamie Magazine

Not a book, but I love this monthly addition to my recipe collecting habit. I should probably get a subscription!

Kitchen by Nigella Lawson

 I find myself engrossed in this book whenever I read it. Perfect for any cookbook lover!

Leon: Family & Friends (book 4) by John Vincent & Kay Plunkett-Hogge

Great book for anyone who likes to cook for their friends and family! 

Naughtiest Vegan Cakes in Town! by Ms. Cupcake

Not just for Vegans, but a must this Christmas for the Vegan in your life!

Perfect Scoop by David Lebovitz

Perfect gift for ice cream lovers! Make sure they have an ice cream maker!

Robicelli’s A Love Story with Cupcakes by Allison & Matt Robicelli
The funniest and most real cookbook I have ever read. For cupcakes biggest fan! 

Sprinklebakes by Heather Baird

 Need an artistic twist to your baking, then this is the book for you!

Sweet Treats for a Sugar Filled Life, Presented by Cakespy by Jessie Oleson-Moore

 This book is your guide to taking dessert above and beyond your wildest dreams!

The Vintage Sweets book, The Vintage Tea Party Book, The Vintage Tea Party Year by Angel Adoree

If you know someone who loves vintage, afternoon, tea, sweets, parties and more then this is the book for them! 

Warm Bread & Honey Cake by Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra

Great read and recipes in this book! Great for someone who loves to learn about food from all over the world. 

Now for the books I wouldn't mind appearing under my Christmas Tree this year!

Bake to Baking: 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share, and Enjoy by Anna Olsen

My Paris Kitchen: Recipes & Stories by David Lebovitz

Sweet by Valerie Gordon

Paris Sweets by Dorie Greenspan

Baked Elements: The Importance of Being Baked in 10 Favorite Ingredients

& Baked Occasions by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito

Sugar Rush: Master Tips, Techniques, and Recipes for Sweet Baking by Johnny Iuzzini & Wes Martin

Huckleberry: Stories, Secrets, and Recipes from our Kitchen by Zoe Nathan

Marshmallow Madness!: Dozens of Puffalicious Recipes by Shauna Sever

What is your favorite baking and/or cookbook that you think would make a great gift? Any book that you think everyone you know should own? Just leave a comment below because I am always looking for new cookbooks!!

notes: To see my full list of baking books and a handful of my cookbooks check out the tab above! I really need to update it! All opinions and suggestions are my own I have in no way been compensated for this post by any of the publishers or authors. Please see my contact/policy page for further information. The black box on the top is intentionally a black box. 

Do you want to know a secret? {book review & birthday cake}

The secret is…I have the biggest crush on CakeSpy aka Jessie Oleson-Moore or is it Jessie Oleson-Moore aka CakeSpy? Either way I think I am in love. Okay that’s not the real secret…actually we’re really here to find out what sort of secrets baked goods have. Not that it makes the first statement any less true.

I have been an admirer of the CakeSpy site and the author Jessie for a few years now and was super excited when her self titled book CakeSpy Presents Sweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life was published in 2011; then I was super duper excited when I learned that there would be a second book The Secret Lives of Baked Goods: Sweet Stories & Recipes for America’s Favorite Desserts; but I was super super duper excited when I was sent a copy to review!

No baked good’s secret is safe as we learn about the who, what, when, where, and how, in the introductions that precede every recipe in this book. There is even more truth to be had in the recipes. Recipes don’t lie. Ever wonder why we put candles on a birthday cake or the difference between a blondie and a brownie? Maybe there are answers to something you didn't even know to ask like why is the pecan pie more American then the traditional apple pie? Not only is this book a wealth of information, but it also includes a recipe for each baked good discussed, so you can see what all the fuss is about.

The Secret Lives of Baked Goods is a very thoughtful and in depth look at the baked goods that everyone knows and loves and maybe even a few you didn't know about. Usually I make a list of stuff I want to bake from the book I am discussing, but all the recipes included are classics, so if I haven't tried them I must do at some point.

I was happy to see that this book wasn't short of Jessie’s lovely illustrations! It’s one of the reasons I visit her site so often, besides the super sweet treats she shares with us. Maybe I can talk her into letting Cuppie visit me here at United Cakedom. I think Cuppie would enjoy being a royal. :0)

If you read my blog or follow me on twitter you’ll know I haven’t shut up about my birthday (May 16th) as it’s the big 3-0 and I have a lot planned to celebrate! So, I thought I would start early and make the birthday cake for myself.

Yellow Birthday Cake

2 ¼ cups sifted cake flour

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks or 228g) unsalted butter, softened

¼ cup packed light brown sugar

4 large eggs, separated

2 tsps vanilla extract

1 cup sour cream

¼ cup whole or 2% milk

Preheat the oven 350F/180C and grease and flour two 8 or 9 inch round baking pans and line with baking parchment.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Cream the butter for a couple of minutes before adding the sugars, continue mixing until light and fluffy.

Add the egg yolks one at a time ensuring they are completely mixed in before adding the next. Add the vanilla.

Alternate the dry ingredients with the sour cream at a lower speed make sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Stir in the milk.

In a very clean bowl and with very clean beaters beat the egg whites to soft peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared pans and smooth it over with a spatula. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 5 minutes before releasing from the pan. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before icing.

Rich Chocolate Frosting

1 cup (2 sticks or 228g) unsalted butter, softened

½ tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla extract

3 to 4 cups confectioners’ or icing sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ cup heavy cream or double cream

Cream the butter until smooth, about 1 minute, before stirring in the salt and vanilla. Sift the sugar and cocoa powder together, and add to the butter mixture in 2 or 3 additions, beat at a low speed or you will be covered in icing sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as you go along. Add the cream, then increase the speed to medium and beat until very very fluffy. Add the remaining sugar until it reaches your desired spreading consistency.

giveaway: And last but not least, Sasquatch Books have kindly agreed to give one of my Northern American readers a chance to win a copy of their very own! So, if you have a valid USA or Canadian address please leave a comment below telling us of your secret sweet pleasure. My secret pleasure is a spoon of peanut butter dotted with M n M's, even better if they are peanut butter M n M's. So, what's yours?? Or if you really honestly don't have a secret sweet pleasure please tell me what your dream birthday cake is! Giveaway is know closed!

The Winner is: C & C Cakery 

please email me the address you would like the book sent too at unitedcakedom(@)gmail(dot)com 

please do so as soon as possible, if I don't hear back in 48 hours I will pick a new winner! 

PS: I didn't count wrong I included the one entry on Facebook as number 30.

A BIG Thank you to:

Liz @Hoosier Homemade

Gretchen @Culinaria Libris

Heather @Sprinkle Bakes

Gem @Cupcake Crazy Gem

Especially Jessie @Cake Spy

 (check out her site for tour dates she may be in a city near you!)

and Sasquatch Books

For re-tweeting, facebook-ing, and pinning this giveaway on their sites! 

It is very much appreciated! 

update: I was contacted by someone saying they had trouble leaving a comment so, if you are having trouble leaving a comment on this post please answer the question on my Facebook page or answer the question on Twitter using the hash tag #secretlives or do all three! (links to my pages are under the header on the side bar)

notes: The Secret Lives of Baked Goods is out today! Also if you haven’t got a copy of CakeSpy PresentsSweet Treats for a Sugar-Filled Life then you should treat yourself to that one too. You can use my birthday as an excuse if you must. You might also want to book an appointment with your dentist. Check out www.cakespy.com.
How to Make Cake Flour (for UK readers).

giveaway terms and conditions: Winner will be chosen at random from the comments in the comment section, the deadline is midnight (Pacific Time Zone) Tuesday, May 14th.
Open to US and Canadian residents only, if a valid US or Canadian address cannot be provided a new winner will be chosen at random.
Winner will be announced on this post the following day, May 15th. The winner will need to contact me with their details within 48hrs or another winner will be chosen at random.
The winners details will be passed on to the publishing company for their prize to be sent out. Please see my contact/policy page tab for further information.