Chocolate Amaretti Torte and the return of Iggle Piggle

Well I did bake the Torte as the proof shows above - I just haven't had time to post about it. I am still without a Food Processor but used the old fashioned way of sticking the biscuits in a bag and bashing them to death with a rolling pin! Very therapeutic! My cooking time was slightly more than the 15 minutes promised at 17 mins but never mind!

The results? Erm ok...Dorie is right it does get better the next day but I really didn't like the almond cream and threw that away. I bought ready chopped almonds (due to lack of food processor and being a lazy/busy cow!) and as a result may have put too many in - I found myself getting annoyed at how nutty it was. The glaze was nice and I will try again as an Ice-cream topping. I probably wouldnt make the whole thing again - there are just too many recipes out there!

On the other hand the other picture is something I do time and time again! In the night garden is a massive programme here the UK and this is one of my most popular requests for cake designs. It makes me laugh when people ask me do i know the Night garden? Know them? I'm practically related to Makka Pakka, Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy!

Until Tuesday...I know I will be on time with this week's TWD AS I HAVE ALREADY BAKED IT!!!...AND EATEN IT!

TWD Coming Soon and Twitter News

You may have come here looking for 15 minute Chocolate Amaretti Torte - It is this week's instalment from the fabulous Tuesdays with Dorie baking group - I only arrived back from my hols last night though and found that my food processor is broken! Poo! That is the essential item that turns this recipe into 15 minutes instead of 15 hours! I will be posting the recipe as soon as poss but in the meantime...

Follow me on Twitter - For updates on all things cake, family and fun Helen at Aardvark can now be found here

The photo (because I cannot post without at least a picture of a cake) is of a recent wedding cake featuring the bride, groom (who sings in a Oasis tribute band) and their lovely baby.

Look at me - Aren't I clever?

This was an order from last week - St Helens Chamber which have been really helpful to me in setting up my business ordered 100 cupcakes with their new logo for the official re-launch of the Chamber.

I love doing cupcakes with logos and photos as the images turn out really well and clear!

Next week...wedding cake season starts with a bang!

TWD Coconut Butter Thins

Wow! These were amazing! Notice I said 'were' - They didnt last very long even though the recipe made loads. I wouldn't ever think of putting coconut, macadamia nuts and ground coriander and lime together but it works.

For the recipe see The Barefoot Kitchen Witch - Good choice Jayne! This was of course this week's choice for the Tuesdays With Dorie baking group.

A definite make-again and it didn't seem to take too long to put together. Dorie says enjoy with a cuppa so I did!

Next week Banana Creme Pie - Ugh! Can't imagine anything worse - am going to have to find a substitute for Bananas ... any ideas?

TWD Blueberry Crumb Cake The Sequel

There's not much to say about these really - They dont look pretty, They taste quite nice and I've eaten 2 pieces. I can't say they blew me away - I put too much lemon zest in so this might be why but again they were ok!

We even tried them for breakfast and it was exactly like I expected..I felt like I was eating cake for breakfast - sadly, this isnt the first time I've done this!

Next week will be Coconut Butter Thins chosen by The Barefoot Kitchen Witch.

TWD - Blueberry Crumb Cake

After a break of about 6 months from the baking group, Tuesdays with Dorie, I am back with spatula in hand and kitchen aid at the ready. This group bake every week from the book Baking From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan. If you haven't come across this book yet, rush out and buy it - its fantastic. The aim of this group is to get us baking something that we might not normally try and most of the recipes I have done so far have been a great success (We don't really mention the homemade marshmallows very often in our house!) This weeks recipe was chosen by Sihan from Befuddlement The recipe can be found on Sihan's site (or in the book obviously!)I don't think I am officially due to start back yet but decided to go with the recipe anyway!

The good news is that the recipe was easy to follow and smells delicious - The bad news is that it is still in the oven - Not sure how you would be able to get this recipe done, cooked and eaten for breakfast but so far I'd say it would be worth it - I can't wait for it to come out!

In the meantime, I will leave you with a picture of a recent wedding cake which consisted of a 7" fruit tier with 50 cupcakes all with sparkly hearts.

A new one for me! I know nothing about Star Wars but will give anything a go! This is supposed to be R2D2 (?) with Star Wars type writing. For a little boy who is gorgeous and sooo chirpy!