The Love of Cake

Because Everything is Better with Cake!

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June 16, 2015 by Lauren

Apple and Banana Sugar Free Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

Who doesn’t want to eat cake every day?! I know I’d prefer to do it without the guilt.

This sugar free cake is one of my favourite recipes as it is delicious, simple to make and guilt free as it contains no refined sugar. Its sweetness is only from bananas and apples.

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

Using only eight ingredients this sugar free banana and apple cake is so tasty you won’t be able to stop at just one slice!

Here’s how it’s done….

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

Mix all your dry ingredients… no need to sift! Cinnamon, I just love it!

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

Melt butter however you like. My method is in the microwave on low heat for about 60 seconds. Whilst this is happening, beat four eggs and add milk then combine with butter! Now add this buttery mix to your dry ingredients and mix well.

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

Add mashed banana and apple slices. Your cake mix should look like this once combined. A tip when buying tinned apples is to be aware that a lot of fruit is tinned in sugary syrup which would then be added to your cake. I use Ardmona Apple Slices as they are 100% fruit and don’t contain any syrup.

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

It’s time to bake. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (360 Fahrenheit). Bake for 60 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean.

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

Here is deliciousness; finding it very hard not to slice the cake up right now and take a bite….but this icing is worth the waiting for!

It’s time to frost!

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

These simple ingredients make the most amazing sugar free cream cheese frosting you can imagine. If you have an obsession with cinnamon as I do, then add this to the mix.  You are probably looking at the picture thinking is that “Heinz Baby Food? ” That answer would be yes! It’s the only apple sauce on the market that is 100% pure apples without any added sugars.

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

Begin mixing cream cheese and milk on a low speed until fluffy, then add apple sauce… mix… add vanilla…mix…add optional cinnamon if you like!

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

The icing should be moist and easy to spread. If you don’t want to frost the cake you could also treat it like a banana bread, toast it then spread the cream cheese frosting instead of butter… yum! Add a nice cup of coffee and that will make my afternoon!

Banana and Apple - Sugar Free Cake

Here is the finished product! Happy Baking!

 

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Apple and Banana Cake - Sugar Free
Author: Lauren
Recipe type: Sugar Free Baking
Prep time:  20 mins
Cook time:  1 hour
Total time:  1 hour 20 mins
 
Ingredients
Cake
  • 13/4 cups wholemeal plain flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 4 eggs
  • 100 grams unsalted butter
  • 3-4 large mashed bananas
  • 410 gram tin sliced apple
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup full cream milk
Icing
  • 1 cup cream cheese
  • 4 tablespoons apple sauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 tablespoons full cream milk
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Instructions
Cake
  1. Grease loaf pan. For this recipe I used 24cm x 12cm (10 inch x 4 inch) loaf pan
  2. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit)
  3. Combine all dry ingredients in one bowl, flour, baking powder and cinnamon
  4. Cube butter and melt in separate bowl
  5. Beat eggs then add milk and melted butter
  6. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients bowl, mix well until combined
  7. Mash banana and stir into mixture
  8. Mix in tinned apple
  9. Pour cake evenly into loaf tin
  10. Bake for 1 hour or until skewer comes out clean, allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes before removal. Cake is very moist so be gentle when it comes time to remove from pan.
Icing
  1. Beat milk and cream cheese on low speed until fluffy
  2. Mix in apple sauce on low until well combined
  3. Add vanilla and mix until well combined
  4. Add optional cinnamon at the end and mix
  5. Icing should be moist and easy to spread
3.2.2929

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Filed Under: Blog, Recipes, Sugar Free Tagged With: Banana and Apple Cake, Cream Cheese Icing, Healthy Cakes, Sugar Free

May 28, 2015 by Lauren

Construction Party Favours Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies

Honeycomb Chocolate Brownies for Construction Party

For my son’s second birthday party I’m thinking of a construction theme as he is mad for anything with wheels and trucks are his favourite.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

As I’m about everything cake, giving guests lolly bags just doesn’t seem right. Instead, I came up with the idea of making favour bags containing chocolate honeycomb brownies and a toy truck as a gift.

Here’s how it’s done….

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Start by cutting butter into cubes and add 150 grams of dark chocolate. You can also use dairy milk if you would like the brownies to be super sweet but I’ve always found brownies are richer with dark chocolate. Melt the chocolate and butter together in a glass bowl over a low heat. Whilst the chocolate and butter is melting sift and combine all dry ingredients.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Don’t forget to check the melting chocolate and keep stirring every few minutes to avoid lumps and burning. Once melted, remove from heat to cool slightly… oh, look at the chocolate…yummy!

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Time to add the eggs one at a time and then vanilla. Don’t worry if the mix is very dry and lumpy – this is normal.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Stir in the melted butter and chocolate. The mix will again be lumpy but that’s ok as it helps with the brownies chunkiness!

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Mix in chocolate chips. If I wasn’t adding honeycomb I would have used bigger chocolate chips but these are the perfect size when adding another chocolate ingredient.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Preheat your oven to 170 degree Celsius (340 Fahrenheit). As I wanted thinner brownies for the favour bags I have used a 33 x 23cm (13 x 9 inch) rectangular tin. If you would like thicker brownies use a square tin however I would recommend doubling the quantity of the mixture so you have enough for the favour bags.

Pour in half of the brownie mix. The the texture will be a bit like a paste so you will need to spread it all over the tin. My favourite part… as I might have had a piece of honeycomb or two… chop honeycomb pieces in half and press into the mix. Allow space between otherwise the brownie will become one big honeycomb piece!

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Pour remaining brownie mix over honeycomb pieces, don’t worry if the honeycomb is sticking out slightly as the brownies will rise during baking to cover.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Yum brownies baking! Bake for 35 – 40 minutes. You want the brownie to be a bit goey so when it hardens it will be moist.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

The finished brownie! Allow 10 minutes to cool in pan before removing otherwise you risk it breaking into pieces.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

The real fun begins – making the favour bags!

I would recommend making the favour bags the afternoon or morning prior to your party so the brownies are kept fresh. Refrigerate the brownies for at least two hours before cutting into small squares as this will limit breakage when packing into the favour bags.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Slice the brownies into small squares…look at that honeycomb!

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Here is the assembly line for the Construction Party favour bags. You can really add any type of chunky chocolate you like. I’ve used chopped honeycomb and chocolate chips, but you might like to add Maltesers or yellow M&M’s.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Add three to four pieces of brownie to the favour bag. I’ve chosen cellophane bags so the brownies and gift can be clearly seen and look oh so good on display!

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Time to add the honeycomb and chocolate chips plus any other chocolate you desire.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Add your gift, tie off with a ribbon and thank you tag.

I love these trucks from Mega Bloks . Inexpensive but a great toy that any boy would love! You can also buy other styles of truck for girls as well. If you are in Australia I purchased mine from a local Woolworths on sale for $1.95 each.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Matchbox also have a really great range of construction vehicles to, which I have included in the favour bags as well.

Makes approx 8 to 10 favour bags. If you are trying to save you could also make without the gift.

Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies Construction Party Favours

Here is the finished product! Happy Construction Party!

 

Save Print
Construction Party Favours Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies
Author: Lauren
Recipe type: Kids Cakes
Prep time:  20 mins
Cook time:  40 mins
Total time:  1 hour
 
Ingredients
  • 225 grams (8 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 1¼ cups of sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup of cocoa powder
  • 2½ cups of plain flour
  • ½ teaspoon of vanilla
  • 150 grams (5 ounces) dark chocolate
  • ½ cup of chocolate chips
Instructions
Honeycomb Chocolate Brownies
  1. Preheat oven to a moderate 170 degrees Celsius (340 Fahrenheit)
  2. Melt 150 grams (8 ounces) of dark chocolate and unsalted butter together in saucepan or microwave
  3. Mix all dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Sugar, cocoa and flour
  4. Gradually mix in each egg one by one
  5. Add vanilla extract
  6. Add melted chocolate and butter. Mix well until all combined
  7. Mix in ½ cup of chocolate chips
  8. Mixture will be fairly stiff and moist
  9. Pour half the brownie mix into 33 x 23 cm pan (13 x 9 inch)
  10. Slice honeycomb and layer
  11. Pour remaining brownie mix over the honeycomb layer. Brownie mix will be the consistency of a paste so you will need to spread the mixture over the honeycomb
  12. Bake for 40 minutes
  13. Brownies will come out of the oven a bit gooey however will harden once cooled
3.2.2929

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Filed Under: Blog, Boys Party Inspiration, Cake Gift/Favour Bags, Chocolate, Kids Parties, Recipes, Tutorials Tagged With: Boys Party, Chocolate Honeycomb Brownies, Construction Party, Favour Bags, Gift Bags, Kids Parties, Lolly Bags

April 24, 2015 by Lauren

How To Make A Packet Cake Mix Taste Homemade

How to Make Packet Cake Mix Taste Homemade

We all know that sometimes you need to use a store bought packet cake mix, but that’s no reason you can’t try to disguise it as homemade.

There is no doubt many packet cake mixes are delicious, but I love to make them just that little bit tastier. First of all it’s good to start with a well known and trusted brand as your base for the packet cake mix, my personal favourites are White Wings and Betty Crocker.

Chocolate and all the extras

Today I have chosen chocolate cake but the same substitutions can be made with any vanilla cake – just substitute dark chocolate for white chocolate.

It’s fairly simple just make the following changes and additions!

#1 Switch oil to melted butter

#2 Use buttermilk instead of water

#3 Add one extra egg than the packet cake mix calls for

#4 Add half a cup of melted chocolate buttons. If vanilla cake, use white chocolate and if chocolate cake, use dark or dairy milk chocolate. Always remember that the chocolate should be of good quality

#5 Follow the packet cake method as outlined on the packaging, simply substituting ingredients as outlined above. Add the chocolate once all other ingredients have been mixed

#6 As your cake will have slightly more wet ingredients than the packet cake mix calls for, this will make your cake that much more moist and rich. Allow enough time to give the cake an extra 10 minutes to bake if it needs.

How to Make Packet Cake Mix Taste Homemade

If you love rich and moist icing as I do, all you need to do is add 1 cup of good quality melted chocolate buttons to the packet icing mix. I think you’ll agree that it’s super simple and that much more delicious.

How to Make Packet Cake Taste Homemade

Here is the finished product, with a little grated white chocolate to decorate.

How to Make Packet Cake Taste Home Made

Look how moist and pretty that is! Don’t eat it all at once!

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Filed Under: Blog, Chocolate, Tutorials, Uncategorized Tagged With: Chocolate Cake, How to, Packet Cake Mix, Tutorials

April 10, 2015 by Lauren

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Tutorial

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake

My one year old son Thomas is super addicted to the Very Hungry Caterpillar book. Every time we read it to him he jumps excitedly with a huge smile. When it came to his first birthday the decision about which cake to make him was an easy one.

Most of you might look at the Very Hungry Caterpillar cake topper and assume that it would take you hours to prepare. I’m here to tell you it’s actually a whole lot simpler than you would think.

Here’s is how it’s done….

Green Balls

Start off small as this will be the tail end of your caterpillar. Roll a small piece of dark green fondant and a small piece of lime green fondant. The dark green is the tail end so make it slightly smaller than the lime green.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Step 2

Now give each rolled piece a little squeeze just like this.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Step 3

Edible sugar glue is essential to make sure your caterpillar doesn’t fall apart. I purchased mine from a local cake supplies store for around $4, check it out here.  You can make your own by adding a small pea sized ball of white fondant to 1/8 cup of warm water and dissolve. Using a small brush place a small amount of sugar glue onto each piece on one side only.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Step 4

We have the beginnings of the Very Hungry Caterpillar! Squeeze the two glued sides together. Then repeat all the steps again and keep building your caterpillar.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Step 5

A few tips….

#1 Use baking paper as the base for your caterpillar so that it doesn’t stick.

#2 Slowly increase the size of each fondant piece as the Very Hungry Caterpillar grows

#3 Once you have several pieces together press down gently on each piece to even out the difference in size

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Tutorial Step 6

Now to make the caterpillar’s head. I tried several different ways to join the head but cutting was the simplest. Roll the fondant into a ball, flatten out by pressing the palm of your hand onto it slightly, then cut

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Tutorial Step 7

Don’t forget to add the edible sugar glue to each side before connecting the head. When joining the head to the body, gently squeeze the sides to mould the caterpillar’s head so it matches the rest of the body.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Tutorial Step 8

Now for that cute little caterpillar face! Roll two very small pieces of yellow fondant into balls, flatten and brush edible sugar glue to the back and add to the face. Then roll three even smaller pieces of green fondant. Flatten two of these prices slightly as these will be the eyes. The third and rounder piece will be for the nose. Brush edible sugar glue to all pieces and add to the caterpillar’s face. Don’t forget to make two small holes for the antenna I suggest using tooth picks. I recommend making the antenna with the rest of the caterpillar but don’t add these to the head until just before you place the caterpillar on the cake.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Tutorial Step 9

For really fine pieces of fondant I always make a few backups. Here are my two sets of antenna for‘just in case’. Before placing your caterpillar on top of the cake add the antenna with edible sugar glue, place a little in each hole made with the tooth picks.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Tutorial Step 10

If you would like to sit the caterpillar on top of your cake as I have insert four tooth picks as above before drying. If you make your caterpillar larger you will need more tooth picks to anchor it into the cake well.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper Tutorial Step 11

Our finished Very Hungry Caterpillar!

A few things to remember!

#1 Allow at least 2 weeks for fondant to dry. If the fondant does not dry the caterpillar will bend when placing on cake. In hot or humid weather I would recommend allowing 3-4 weeks to be 100% safe

#2 Store the caterpillar on baking paper in either a container or simply air dry on baking paper

#3 Be gentle with your caterpillar… he is very fragile

#4 Place your caterpillar on top of cake immediately prior to birthday party as this will limit the likelihood of breakage

The cake pictured is a very simple vanilla butter cake with chocolate cream centre – yum! The recipe and decoration instructions are coming soon.

Happy caterpillar making!

 

 

EasyRecipe

 

 

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Filed Under: Blog, Party Cakes, Recipes, Tutorials Tagged With: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Cake Topper

March 24, 2015 by Lauren

Chocolate Easter Cake with Easter Egg Surprise Pinata

Easter Egg Chocolate Pinata Cake

Such a simple Easter cake that looks and tastes amazing!

When chocolate cake and Easter eggs meet it is true love. What better way to celebrate Easter with family and friends than to make an Easter egg surprise piñata cake. Rich with chocolaty goodness.

Here’s how it’s done….

 

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake

Start by sifting and combine all the dry ingredients.

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake

Time to melt the chocolate….it’s hard not to lick the spoon! I used dark chocolate to make the cake rich but if you want extra sweetness use dairy milk.

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake

While you are waiting for the chocolate to cool, it’s time to mix all the remaining ingredients. Butter and sugar first until light and fluffy or say around two minutes of beating on high, making sure butter is softened first.

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake

Add eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each one. Then add vanilla. Here is my favourite part – chocolate in all its richness is added and then mixing half dry ingredients and milk, repeat again until all are mixed together.

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake

Preheat your oven to 160 degrees Celsius (320 Fahrenheit). To get the look of the deep piñata I have used a 15 x10cm (6 x 4 inch) round tin so the cake is tall and deep. This allows for more Easter eggs to be squeezed inside.

Bake for 55 minutes or until skewer comes out clean. I like to remove the cake whilst it’s slightly gooey in the centre so that it stays moist.

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake

Let the cake cool for around 1 hour and then begin cutting a round hole to create the piñata. I used a small scone cutter however a small glass could be used to create the circle. Once the circle has been removed dig out the centre of the cake, leaving a little layer at the bottom of the cake. I may have taste tested a scoop or two.

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake

Here comes the fun part… Easter eggs and lots of them. Really pack them in.

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake Eggs Nest

It’s time to make the icing. This is my never fail dark chocolate icing that is so thick and sweet that once you try it you will never want to make another icing again. See recipe link for full details.

Easter Egg Surprise Pinata Chocolate Cake Icing

I made this icing extra thick so it covers the eggs nest. Add an extra cup of icing sugar if you think it needs it. Using a small spatula apply a big dollop of icing in the centre to cover the eggs nest and then smooth over entire cake.

Easter Chocolate Cake Pinata Cake

Now for the finishing touch! To create the eggs nest I used five medium size chocolate eggs keeping them close together and then filled with m&m’s speckled crispy eggs to match the centre of the cake. Add a cute Easter character on top and you are finished.

Easter Egg Pinata Cake Chocolate

To get the best effect when cutting the cake cut a big slice so the eggs nest easily falls out.

m&m's crispy speckled easter eggs

Save Print
Easter Chocolate Cake with Egg Surprise Pinata
Author: Lauren
Recipe type: Dessert
Prep time:  25 mins
Cook time:  55 mins
Total time:  1 hour 20 mins
 
The perfect Easter Cake. Easter Egg surprise pinata cake.Rich moist dark chocolate cake with a surprise in the centre.
Ingredients
Cake
  • 11/3 cups plain flour
  • 3 tablespoons Cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon bicarb soda
  • 250 grams (9 ounces) dark chocolate
  • 225 grams (8 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup caster sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs
  • ½ cup buttermilk
Icing
  • 250 grams (9 ounces) butter
  • 4 cups pure icing sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa
  • ½ cup of milk
  • 250 grams dark chocolate
Instructions
Cake
  1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius (320 Fahrenheit)
  2. Grease 15 x 10 cm (6 x 4 inch) baking tin
  3. Break chocolate into small pieces and melt in microwave for approx 60 seconds on low heat
  4. Sift together all dry ingredients
  5. In a separate dish beat room temperature butter and sugar together until fluffy then add vanilla
  6. Add eggs one at a time and mix well after each addition on medium speed, once eggs have been combined add cooled chocolate and mix on medium speed until combined
  7. Add half the sifted ingredients to the butter chocolate mix and half butter milk, repeat again until all dry ingredients have been added
  8. Texture of the mix is almost mousse like so add to greased cake pan
  9. Bake for 45-55 minutes or until skewer comes out clean
  10. Cool in pan for 15 minutes before removing to wire baking rack to cool
  11. Allow cake to cool for 1 full hour on the backing rack before cutting
  12. Use a small scone cutter or glass to cut small round hole
  13. Spoon out cake with a small teaspoon for best results, leaving a small amount at bottom of cake
  14. Fill centre with Easter eggs then make icing
Icing
  1. Break chocolate into small pieces and melt in microwave for approx 60 seconds on low heat or until melted
  2. Place cubed softened butter in large bowl
  3. Beat for three minutes on high or until fluffy
  4. Add sifted icing sugar gradually mixing well after each
  5. Sift in cocoa and mixed until combined
  6. Add in milk gradually and mix
  7. This icing recipe is extra thick so the centre eggs are easily covered, so if you have a thin consistency after milk is combined add extra an cup of icing sugar
  8. Mix in melted dark chocolate until combined
  9. Now for the fun part. Begin icing your cake, suggest covering eggs in the centre first so using a small flexible spatula place a big dollop of icing to cover and then cover the rest of the cake and smooth out.
3.2.2929

 

 

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Filed Under: Blog, Easter, Party Cakes, Recipes Tagged With: Chocolate Cake, Easter Cake, Easter Egg Chocolate Cake, Pinata Cake

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