United Cakedom

Rock n Roll {Ed's Diner Review}

This weekend I had an opportunity to visit Ed’s Diner, that recently opened up in The Oracle (Reading, Berkshire).

It wasn't my experience at Ed’s. The first time was years ago wondering around London and randomly happened upon an Ed’s at lunchtime.

Then not too long ago one opened up in Basingstoke, which I made my husband take me too. If that doesn't tell you that I am a fan of Ed’s Diner then I don’t know what will. It’s also pretty obvious then, that I was super excited to see one open up in Reading!!

My friend, Cathy who loves American style food (I honestly think it’s the only reason she’s friends with me) was my date for the night. We weren't disappointed. The food and atmosphere was great. The staff was friendly and helpful. It was an all around good experience.

Cathy had an Oreo Milkshake, Chili Cheese burger combo plate, and a pancake stack for dessert. Here is what I had!

Rootbeer Float:

Big Bubba’s Bacon N’ Cheese Burger:

Atomic American Fries:

Lot of Waffle:

Have you ever been to an Ed’s Diner? If so what was your experience? What did you get? What flavor of milkshake or malt would you suggest?? (I love the peanut butter one!)

Notes: Check out my full review!! (removed as of 31.1.2016) Ed’s Diner Reading: Upper Floor, Broad Street Entrance; The Oracle Shopping Centre; Reading RG1 2AG (NOW CLOSED 2017) and Ed’s official site visit to sign up for the newsletter you get a coupon for a free shake a few weeks around and including your birthday!

Turtle Cheesecake Tartlets {weekend baking with Janet}

I was going to a wine party and wanted something sweet and decadent to bring along.

I had a hand-me-down book of appetizers from a friend and this recipe was in it. Lucky for you it's also found on the Pillsbury website, here!

all you need:

1 box Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box

½ cup milk chocolate chips

4 oz cream cheese (from 8-oz package), softened

¼ cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons caramel topping

1 egg

½ teaspoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans

for the instructions follow the link above!

It was perfect because is was a semi-homemade recipe which cuts down on prep time, making it easy to make sort of quickly...like whipping up for a wine party!

These were a big hit at the party and they were a perfect finger food size! ~Janet

The Husband of a Home Baker {weekend baking with Janet}

Of all the reasons that I love baking, this reason surprised me as one of my favorites: my husband is a baking critic.

Not only does he keep it real while I'm baking; trying out all the goodies (and the not-so-goodies) but he can also spot a home baked item from first bite AND give a pretty accurate critique. For example he told me that he doesn't eat fondant and that he doesn't like to eat day old store bought cupcakes.

This amuses me because before I baked at home, he wouldn't have even known what fondant was!

He's brutally honest, which at first was a hard thing for me to take. Now I know he will not only be honest about the stuff that is not quite right, but also about the stuff that is. Then he showers me with praise, which is one of the unsurprising reasons I love to bake: the satisfaction of making something that is delicious!

I made these Whoopie Pies for my husbands pot luck at work - they are chocolate chip pies with Caramel Italian Meringue filling from Piece of Cake: Home Baking Made Simple by David Muniz and David Lesniak. They were a hit and really, really yummy! ~Janet

Whoopies - all boxed up and ready to go! :)

notes: Piece of Cake: Home Baking Made Simple by David Muniz and David Lesniak or Baked in America for the UK version

That's a wrap [birthday wrap up]

It’s not every day one turns 30, but I suppose that can be said about every birthday. It's been exactly a week since my birthday, it's time I stop going on about it.

That's what this post is about to wrap up my birthday and not talk about it again until next year. If I even admit I have a birthday next year. We'll see.

However this year I decided to make a big deal about my birthday and this is to share what I got up too and some of the awesome presents I got!

It started the Friday (the 10th) before my birthday with a night out. I went to town with a couple of my girl friends. We started with cocktails at The Slug and Lettuce, then dinner with wine at Nando's, then back to The Slug and Lettuce for more cocktails. The 7 dwarfs served us, thankfully Sneezy didn't sneeze in our drinks and Grumpy tried to be really grumpy, but he didn't do a very good job of it. It was a good night.

They bought me Joseph Joesph nesting bowls. Yay! They are awesome! Thank you Kim and Kirsty!

Then I went on a baking course for the day. Thank you Mom and Dad! See previous previous post to read all about my day at Cake Boy in Battersea, London.

Then I had a party. Where friends and family came with drink and we were all very merry.

A few people brought bouquets. My favorite was My Floral Cupcake, it contains, blueberry roses, pink roses, Lydia spray roses, lisianthus, and chrysanthemums! Thanks Cathy! Looking forward to our date tomorrow (Friday)!

I also received this gorgeous cake stand! Thanks Sharon!

I also received chocolates, wine and a bottle of Jack, a picture frame, various gift cards, and lots of cards with the number 30 on them!

Oh and I have to include the gift from my husband... the Kitchen Aid! Thank you! I love you!

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday special!! It was an awesome day and an awesome night!! :0)

Outsider Tart, Chiswick {bakery tour}

I have been a fan of the David’s the owners of Outsider Tart since I bought myself a copy of their book 2 summers ago. I have stated more then once my love for their book Baked in America. I even traveled to Oxford to get them to sign it. So it's a bit odd that this was my first visit to the shop, store, café, bakery, all of the above?

Thursday after my day at Cake Boy (see previous entry) my friend Lauren, picked me up and to avoid rush hour traffic hung out at Outsider Tart for a bit. It was on our way back to Berkshire, not that I needed an excuse to visit!

The day before I had tweeted them @OutsiderTart and asked what I should try as my birthday treat. I had a reply saying I should ask for him (David) when I got there because he was working on an ice cream sandwich.

Before I get to the ice cream sandwich can I just say that if you are planning to visit Outsider Tart you should go on Thursday night because it’s Chili Night and the chili was amazing! It was accompanied by the best corn bread I think I have ever had. Or at least the best I have had since I left Indiana in 1998.

Back to the ice cream sandwich…it was good! It was gorgeous! The vanilla ice cream middle was the perfect balance to the rich chocolate cookie outside. I hope they decide to add it to the menu!

Thank you so much David for letting me try it out! I hope to visit again soon!!

Adventures at Cake Boy [Battersea]

In the words of my little one: Best Day Ever!

Before Christmas (last year) I started looking around for a baking class to attend. There are a few here and there around London, a couple outside of London as well, but Eric Lanlard’s at Cake Boy seemed the best by far. Along with the fact that there was one on my birthday it seemed like fate.

The day started with breakfast and a briefing by Eric, before getting on to the baking. The first half we made 3 delicious treats a Yuzu Tart in a Matcha pastry, a Light Fruit Cake, and a Valhrona Chocolate Mousse on a crunchy praline base. We paused in the middle for a delicious lunch before finishing the day with decorating our treats!

(When I got home I set my bag on the counter and the fruit loaf slipped down off the top of the boxes and brought the whole bag to the flour. I was so upset, but thankfully everything was alright. Only a few bumps and bruises, still edible, which is the only important part!)

It was obvious that Eric and staff have done this before it was very well organized and the day ran very smoothly. The best part was that I didn't have to clean up after. Bowls and spatulas would just disappear and come back clean, it was like magic. The other four ladies I was with were very lovely and we all got on very well. In fact everyone was amazing especially Eric, he was patient and gave very clear instructions, everything you'd want in a teacher. The staff working that day were also very friendly and helpful!

We took home all our treats, along with the aprons we wore, and a goody bag full of baking essentials. Let me just say I have tried all of them since I have been home and they are all amazing. My favorite is the Yuzu Tart. The yuzu has such a refreshing yet tart taste it’s delicious. All of the treats we made are more then doable at home, but I don't know that they are the type of things I would bake at home. It's another reason I chose this class. Oh and if you want to try the Yuzu Tart it's in Tart it Up!

It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you Eric and everyone at Cake Boy for making it a great experience. A bigger thanks to my Mom and Dad for sending me!

Oh and I forgot to mention I had a fun birthday cupcake!

notes: most of the pictures are mine save for a few that were sent to me from one of the ladies on the course with me!; for classes at Cake Boy; my review of Chocolat; my review of Tart it Up!; my first thoughts on Home Bake

Bake Brave today on World Baking Day!

Happy World Baking Day!!

Have you been Baking Brave today??

If you have young kids and want to bake something easy, but super delicious with them today check out level 10 on the World Baking Day, for Banana CinnaMuffins!

If you don't have kids and you want something to make your house smell amazing and to show off to friends these muffins are perfect for that too!!