Kit Kat Skittles Cake Tutorial

I have been busy lately making and designing cakes. So it was no surprise when my son requested I make a cake for him to celebrate him becoming an official adult. That is him turning 18 here in the UK. I had previously made a KitKat tiered cake (without packets) so he requested a similar one. I will share with you at the bottom of this post the original one I made.

For this one I kind of cheated by buying chocolate cake mix packets and ready made frosting! I have previously made my own but wanted to make sure this turned out good for my son. I will write a mini tutorial for this cake. I actually made 4 layers but only needed 3 layers however that wasn't a disaster as my daughter used that layer to design another cake! If you want to bake your own cake then just follow any online recipe for chocolate cake for 2 or 3 tiers.

Ingredients:

2 packets of Chocolate cake Mix (to make at least 3 round cakes) (extra ingredients that packets ask for)
2 tubs of chocolate frosting
18 (2 finger) Kitkats.
2 Large packets of Skittles
Ribbon/Cake plate

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the cake following cake mix instructions or make your own.
Step 2: Once cakes are cooled down place frosting over the layers and down the sides.
Step 3: carefully place the Kit Kats  all around the cake as neatly as possible.
Step 4: Place the skittles all around the top layer of the cake.
Step 5: Decorate the cake with a bow.

Below is a photo of the other Kit Kat Cake I made first.

Chocolate Covered Sandwich Cake recipe

Cake Ingredients:

200g Caster Sugar
200g Self Raising Flour
200g Soft butter
4 eggs (beaten)
1tsp baking powder
2bsp milk
few drops of 3 different food colourings.
200g Melted chocolate for decoration.
Cake decorations (like flowers as in pic)
chocolate curls/sprinkles

Buttercream Ingredients:

200g softened butter
280g icing sugar
few drops of vanilla extract
few drops of food colouring

Instructions:

Step 1: Heat oven to electric 170c
Step 2: Butter 3 20cm cake tins and line with baking paper.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl mix all cake ingredients together.
Step 4: Separate cake mixture into 3 bowls and add the colouring to each bowl.
Step 5: Place the mixture from each bowl into the 3 cake tins.
Step 6: Place into the oven for about 20 minutes until golden brown. When cooked place onto a cooling tray.
Step 7: When the cakes are in the oven you can make the buttercream. Cream the butter first.
Step 8: Gradually add the icing sugar to the butter and continue to mix. Add in the vanilla extract.
Step 9: Once buttercream is done, you can add food colouring.

Step 10: Once the cakes have cooled down, you can start applying the buttercream.If you are using a cake board then add a small amount of buttercream to it and place the first layer of cake in the centre of the board.
Step 11: Add buttercream to the top of the first layer then place the second layer on the top. Then add buttercream to the top of the second layer and place the third layer onto the top. Then cover the top and the sides of the cake with buttercream. Place into the freezer for 10 minutes to allow it to set.
Step 12: Once set apply another layer of buttercream and make it more neat. Again place in the freezer for 10 mins to set.
Step 13: Melt the chocolate and pour over the top of the set cake. Allow to drizzle over the side for a drizzle effect.
Step 14: Add the chocolate curls on top of the cake and add any other decoration onto the top.
Step 15: Add the remainder of the buttercream along the base of the cake with a piping bag. And then gently add some sprinkles. Place into the freezer for 10 minutes to set. You now have your finished cake.

Sweet Mince Cinnamon Rolls

I recently saw a recipe for apple cinnamon rolls using bread and thought that I could actually follow a similar recipe and make use of the sweet mince I had bought at reduced price. I tried it once and my children devoured them immediately and asked for more! So I now have another quick and easy recipe to add to my list. I tried to look for a recipe but couldn't find any, so I have made a new name for this recipe, 'Sweet Mince Cinnamon Rolls'. Here is how I made them:

Ingredients:

• Sliced bread
• Sweet Mince (Vegetarian)
• Melted butter
• Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Optional: Icing Sugar for decoration

Step 1: Preheat oven to 170 degrees
Step 2: Melt some butter and place in a bowl or plate to enable you to dip the roll of bread in.
Step 3: Remove the crusts from the slice of bread
Step 4: Using a Rolling Pin roll out the slice of bread.
Step 5: Place a tablespoon of sweet mince into the middle of the slice.
Step 6: Roll the bread up
Step 7: Place the rolled up bread into the melted butter.
Step 8: Roll the bread onto a plate which has the sugar and cinnamon on.

Step 9: Place the rolls onto a non-stick baking tray (I used oven sheet) and place into the pre-heated oven for about 15 minutes until golden brown.
Step 10: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.
Step 11: With a sieve sprinkle some icing sugar over the top
Step 12: Serve either warm or cold.

If you want some information regarding what Sweet Mince is here is a wiki link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mincemeat

Eid Cookies - Sheep

We had a great time making the Eid cookies last week so decided to make some more but this time try a different design. We decided on making Sheep Cookies which is linked with Eid.

I used the same cookie recipe and icing as I did with the other cookies I posted about yesterday. http://www.karimascrafts.com/2015/09/henna-style-decorated-cookies-for-eid.html

Instructions:

Step 1: Using a sheep cookie cutter I cut out the shapes from the cookie dough (see separate recipe)
Step 2: Bake and allow to cool down.
Step 3: Cover the sheep with one thin layer of white icing and allow to dry (about an hour)
Step 4: Using thick white incing decorate the sheep with swirls to look like wool.
Step 5: Add eyes and optional add a colour for the legs. I used cake decoration balls for the eyes and gold edible icing.

We had some spare cookie dough and icing leftover so we decided to make a couple of Muslima/Hijabi cookies too! Using a gingerbread cookie cutter I cut out the dough and then pressed the legs together to make it look like a skirt. Then decorated with the icing. I used a food pen to draw the face.

The link below shows the sugar cookie recipe I used.
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/05/27/soft-cut-out-sugar-cookies/

Henna Style Decorated Cookies for Eid

It will be Eid in a few days and my girls have been busy decorating some cookies that they can gift to friends.  We followed a sugar cookies recipe, apparently these are best for decorating on.

Then I also made my own icing following instructions I found online which is meant to be good for decorating with. I chose a recipe using egg whites.

I will post the link to the cookie recipe at the bottom of the post.

Instructions

Step 1: We baked the cookies and allowed them to cool down before decorating.

Step 2: Prepare the icing and divide into separate bowls and add food colouring.

Step 3: Apply a bottom layer of icing onto the cookies and allow to harden, took over an hour for ours.

Step 4: Then apply a design with a contrasting colour onto the cookies.

Allow to dry and then they are ready to eat or gift.


The photo below shows the cookies that my 13 year old daughter designed.

The photo below shows the cookies that my 8 year old daughter designed.

The link for the cookie recipe I followed is: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/05/27/soft-cut-out-sugar-cookies/

Suhoor or Iftar Fruit Smoothie Recipes

This Ramadan I have been experimenting with making fruit smoothies for Suhoor, though these could also be used for Iftar if you wish.

So far I have tried 4 different types of smoothies. Each day I have simply used whatever fruit or yoghurts I have had at home.  My friend gave me the recipe which included the dates!

The recipe for the one shown in the photograph above is:

• 1 carton of natural yoghurt
• 1 banana
• Handful of frozen mixed berries
• Half a cup of Coconut Water

Blended with a hand blender of a smoothie maker.

Below are some more recipes I have tried this Ramadan.

Recipe for above photograph is:

1 honeydew melon
1 carton of Greek yoghurt
1 handful of frozen berries and fruit

Blended with a hand blender of a smoothie maker.

Recipe for above photograph is:

• 1 carton of organic Greek yoghurt
• 1 fresh mango
• 1 banana
• 8 strawberries
• Half a cup of coconut water
• 1 teaspoon of honey

Blended with a hand blender of a smoothie maker.

Recipe for the above photograph is:

1 cut up small pineapple
3 bananas
1 handful of frozen mixed berries
400g Coconut Milk
4 dates (mashed)

Blended with a hand blender of a smoothie maker.

Individual Banoffee Pie Recipe

I have wanted to make these for years but just never got around to it but eventually I did try and they were scrumptious!!!  I made some individual ones and also a larger one.

Ingredients:

Base:
75g butter (melted)
200g digestive biscuits
Caramel Filling:
150g brown sugar
150g butter
1 can of carnation condensed milk (400g approx)
Pinch salt
Topping:
2 ripe bananas
150ml double cream or whipping cream
100g chocolate (grated)

Instructions:

Step 1: To make the biscuit base add the crushed digestive biscuits into a bowl. To crush them I place the biscuits into a bag and then roll with a rolling pin, but you could use other methods). Then add the 75g melted butter and mix.
Step 2: Place the biscuit base into individual glasses or one cake bowl if preferred. Pat down on the biscuit base and then place into the Fridge for about 30 mins to set.
Step 3: Start making the caramel while the base in the Fridge. In a pan add the sugar and 150g butter and melt on a medium heat. Keep stirring until the sugar melts and mixes.
Step 4: Then add the carnation milk to the pan and bring to the boil and then remove from the heat.
Step 5: Remove the biscuit bases from the fridge and pour over the caramel and then return to the fridge until cooled completely.
Step 6:  Once cooled, remove and then place the chopped bananas onto the caramel.
Step 7: Place the cream into a bowl and whip with electric beaters until the cream is thick but not stiff. Then place over the top of the bananas.
Step 8: Grate the chocolate over the cream and the dessert is now ready to be served. Enjoy.

Stiletto Cake Recipe

My 7 year old made this cute Stiletto/High Heel Cake and I just had to share it with you.

Ingredients:

• Plain cupcake
• Wafer
• Sponge Finger
• Frosting
• Cake decorations

Instructions:

Step 1: Place some frosting onto the cake and decorate.
Step 2: Decorate if needed the sponge finger.
Step 3: Place the wafer onto the cake securing a little with the frosting and place the sugar finger underneath to make the Stiletto heel.

Baked Apple with Mincemeat Recipe

I purchased many jars of sweet mincemeat last month when they were reduced from £1 to only 5p a jar - that meant I got 20 jars for only £1 - now that is a bargain!

I had made many sweet mincemeat pies and wanted to do something different and a friend suggested baked apples stuffed with sweet mincemeat. (PS I purchased vegan product).


Ingredients:

5 Apples (doesn't need to be baking apples)
200g of Mincemeat
30g Butter


Instructions:

Step 1: Remove the core from the apples and then slice the top of the apple off. Then remove extra apple from the middle to leave enough room to stuff it.
Step 2: Stuff the hole with the sweet mincemeat.
Step 3: Add a little bit of butter to the apple too then place the top part of the apple on top.
Step 4: Place into an ovenproof dish and add a few tablespoons of water to the dish.
Step 5: Place into an oven for about 45 minutes. 180, 360, 4
Step 6: Serve with a choice of either honey, custard or ice-cream.

DIY Shampoo and Rinse Recipe

I have been doing the no-shampoo method for many months now and only using conditioner which was going very well but I wanted to go further and try to cut out all the chemicals so that meant stopping the conditioner too! I searched online for homemade recipes for shampoo and also rinses and came up with one that was most suitable for me. I thought I would share my recipes with my blog followers.

Shampoo Recipe:

2 tablespoons of Baking Soda (named Bicarbonate of Soda in the UK)
2 cups of water

Instructions:

Mix together and then store in a container - I used an empty Shower Cream container!


Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Recipe:

2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Cup of Water
4 drops of Essential Oil (optional)

Instructions:

Place the ingredients into a spray bottle and mix together. I add the Lavender Essential Oil as my young daughter can not stand the smell of the vinegar, though it was fine for me! However the smell goes away very quickly!

My Routine:

I start by wetting my hair first and then apply the homemade shampoo and rub in vigourously from roots to the end. Then I rinse with normal tap water. Then I spray the vinegar rinse all over my hair again covering from the roots to the ends and massage in. Then I rinse the vinegar rinse out using normal tap water.

I have seen a great difference in my hair since I stopped using the shop bought shampoo. I have been using the vinegar rinse for a few weeks and so far it is going well and I am still new to using the homemade shampoo so will hopefully update you after a month to let you all know how my new hair regime is going.

Nutella Brioche Flower Recipe

These brioche's are all over the internet at the moment, so I thought I had to have a go too! There are quite a few recipes around but I actually quite liked following the video recipe by Titli. I love her recipes and have followed a few before which have worked out well. The photos are actually from the brioche my daughter made a few days after my first attempt.

Ingredients:

500g Bread Flour
3 Tablespoons of Sugar
1 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Teaspoon of yeast
60g butter (melted)
190 mls of Lukewarm Milk
1 Grated Lemon Skin
2 eggs


Instructions:

• Start by putting the sugar and the yeast into the milk and whisk them together. Leave for 10 minutes for the yeast to activate. 
• Break the eggs into a bowl and beat lightly.
• But the flower, salt and lemon rind into a mixing bowl and mix well.
• Place a well into the middle of the mixing bowl and add the melted butter, eggs, and the yeast and milk mixture. Mix all together into a nice soft dough.
• Once the dough has been made you need to knead well for about 10 minutes.
• Pop the dough into a greased bowl and cover. Allow to rise between 1 to 1 and a half hours - .until dough has doubled in size.
• Remove from bowl and knead again for about another 3-4 minutes.
• Split the dough into 4 pieces of equal size and shape them into round balls.
• Take one piece and roll out into a circle shape until about 3mm thick which is about 10 inches diameter.
• Lift and place onto some baking paper.
• Then take your Nutella and spread a layer of Nutella all over the piece of rolled out dough, leaving a slight edge.
• Then take the second piece of dough and roll out as before and then place onto the first layer of dough and chocolate. Then spread a layer of chocolate onto this second layer.
• Then take the third piece of dough and roll out as before and then place onto the second layer of dough and chocolate. Then spread a layer of chocolate onto this third layer.
• Then take the last piece of dough and roll out as before and place onto the third layer of dough and chocolate. Cut around the edges making them all similar and removing excess dough.
• Then you need to place a glass into the centre of the pile of dough. Then with a sharp knife you need to cut into 16 equal pieces. Start by cutting one slice then cutting on the opposite side if the glass. Then cutting half way between those two point so you have 4 cuts. Then cut into the half of each of those cuts. Then cut into half of the 8 cuts so you have 18 pieces.
• The take hold of two pieces of the 18. Twist outwards once, then twist outwards twice and then twist a half twist to bring the ends together.  Repeat with the rest of the dough until all twisted.
• Lift the baking paper and place the dough and the paper onto a tray. Then wrap the dough in plastic and allow it to rise for between 1 and 2 hours.  
• Once it has risen it is good to brush the flower with a glaze mixture of 1 tablespoon of milk and one tablespoon of water. 
• Place into the oven for 20-25 minutes at 180 Degrees.
• Allow to cool and then you can finish by dusting lightly with icing sugar. 

I highly suggest watching the following video by Titli, which makes it easier to follow the instructions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcgk-j8BS1c

Bread and Butter Pudding Recipe

I made this lovely Bread and Butter Pudding today as I had been away at the weekend and on my return had plenty leftover bread which was now out of date but still OK to eat. I decided not to waste the bread and make a yummy dessert with it instead.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bread
• Butter to spread on bread
• Large handful of sultanas
• 100g of Sugar
• Teaspoon of cinnamon
• 500g of Milk
• 2 Eggs

Instructions:

Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 190 celsius
Step 2: Grease a baking container
Step 3: Mix the sugar and cinnamon together in a container
Step 4: Mix the 2 eggs and add to the milk
Step 5: Place the slices of bread (buttered and cut in half) on the bottom of the baking container.
Step 6: Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the first layer
Step 7: Sprinkle the sultanas over the first layer.
Step 8: Place a second layer of bread, sugar mix and sultanas
Step 9: Place a third layer of bread, sugar mix and sultanas
Step 10: Pour the Milk and egg mixture over all of the bread evenly
Step 11: Leave the bread to soak up the milk for about 15 minutes
Step 12: Place the baking container into the oven and cook for about 30 minutes.

 My children had this all finished before the night was over - it was delicious!