Dear Blog, (3)

Dear Blog It’s your birthday! 

I hope you didn't think I’d forgotten! I haven’t and am writing this post to have a look back at the last year with you!

I thought I would do the usual bakers dozen of links remincising of the past last year. 

Where to start? I know, how about where we left off last year….

1. Last summer I made White “Witch” Ice Cream for a Chronicles of Narnia competition. It was white chocolate ice cream with home made Turkish Delight folded in. It was actually really good. It was a shame I didn't win.
2. I made a week of yummy treats all based on Cadbury chocolates! Like PicnicDoodle Salad, Double Decker Pillow Cookies, Star Bar Cake, Cherry Ripe Cupcakes, and Curly Wurly Brownies.
3. We also took a trip up to Scotland to visit family and I made Cranachan Cupcakes while up there! Inspired by the Scottish dessert Cranachan. 
4. I made my first YouTube video again for a competition, once again I didn't win, but it was an experience and it taught me not to let my husband be the video recorder.
5. The Apple Pie Ice Cream I made in the fall was A-Mazing I don’t know why it didn't get more views? Who doesn't want Apple Pie Ice Cream?
6. In the New Year I made a resolution to use up the baking things I had in my magical baking cupboard. So, I made Mince Pie Biscuits!
7. I made a few cakes for my local Clandestine Cake Club, but the Killer Zebra Cake and a Cherry Garcia Cake were my favorite over the last year!
8. FINALLY, I successfully made fried doughnuts!
9. Homemade Double Deckers proved to be a bit of a challenge and were a bit chewy, but totally worth the extra effort!
10. We had a lot of fun meeting Johnny of Johnny Cupcakes at his 3 year anniversary in London.
11. The Brownie Quest I was on is now pretty much over. I found, in my opinion, the best and most versatile brownie recipe ever. Try it and then we can talk.
12. I blogged everyday in May which was an interesting challenge. It took me out of my comfort foodie zone and made me talk about different things.
13. Last but not least I attended Food Blogger Connect last week and on top of learning a lot of stuff I meet some really cool people!!

This last year was a year of experiences. Not just in my bloggy world, but in my real life too. Growing up is hard to do.

Things will continue to change, because things are always changing. We can’t stop it I've tried! I mean my littlest is starting full time school in September. How did that happen?

I’m also taking a much needed, long-time coming trip home to my family! USA here I come! It will be quiet here in United Cakedom while I am away, but don’t worry I have a few things brewing!

Then when I get back and the girls are settled in school, I will have to answer the big question: What do I want to be when I grow up?

When I find the answer I will let you know!

So, dear blog until next year! Love you, Lisa 

Excessive Mince Pie Biscuits

You know how when you’re at the store and you buy something you think you don’t have, but then upon return it turns out there are like 5 of the something you thought you didn't have?

No?

Well, it turns out I had plenty of mincemeat jars stashed away in my cupboard. Every year I think to myself that I will make homemade mince pies and every year I don’t.

It’s a bit like when Georgie stashes mince pies and Bucks Fizz all over her kitchen. I stash baking supplies!

Who is Georgie? She’s the heroine of the novels Cupcakes at Carrington’s and Christmas at Carrington’s by Alexandra Brown. I have read both for Kelly’s Book Club over on American Cupcake Life.

Christmas at Carrington’s pretty much starts where the last book left off. It’s a good reflection on how the beginnings of relationships have lots of ups and downs. Sometimes it is better to go with what you feel then what’s in laid out in front of you.

I don’t want to give too much away, but if Georgie hadn’t listened to others… well then we wouldn’t have had a book would we have!

It was a good Christmas read, but please don’t be put off the Christmas theme now that Christmas is over! Just like I want you to trust me and try these mince pie biscuits even though it’s out of season!

I was inspired by Georgie to make these Mince Pie Biscuits for her unnaturally habit to buy excessive amounts of things just because they are on offer!

Mince Pie Biscuits           

250g unsalted butter, softened

140g golden granulated sugar

1 egg yolk

grated zest of a clementine, or easy peel orange

300g plain flour

411g jar of mincemeat

Preheat the oven to 180C/gas4 and line a baking sheet(s) with greaseproof paper. Beat the butter and sugar together. If the butter isn’t soft enough stick it in the microwave for 5-10 second intervals to soften it up. Add the egg yolk and zest before beating until combined. Sift the flour in and mix until it forms dough. Fold in most of the mincemeat. It makes it very sticky. You may need to use your hands to get it to come together. I used an everyday tablespoon to scoop out the dough and place on the prepared baking sheets. If you want you can make a dent in the dough and place some of the remaining mincemeat on top. I didn’t and now I’m left with some leftover, but that’s my problem. Bake for 10-20 minutes. It really depends on how big you make them mine took 15 minutes. They will have turned a bit golden on top, but should still be a little soft in the middle. Leave to cool or serve warm with some cream!

They are very good and because it’s not in pie form, I really don’t relate it to Christmas! I hope you get a chance to read the book and keep an eye out for next month’s book on Kelly’s site!

notes: American Cupcake Life Cupcake Book Club hosted by Kelly; Christmas at Carrington’s by Alexandra Brown; my Cupcake at Carrington’sinspired treat; the recipe is adapted from Issue 24 Nov/Dec11 of Jamie’s Magazine