Cadbury chocolate cupcakes

Cadbury's chocolate cupcakes-

My trusty chocolate cupcake recipe- makes 12

4oz margarine

4oz caster sugar

2 eggs

3oz self raising flour

1oz cocoa

-mix sugar and margarine until creamy

-add each egg individually with a pinch of flour to avoid curdling

-add remaining flour and cocoa

-spoon into cake cases

-cook in a pre-heated oven for 15-20 mins at 180c.

My usual chocolate icing is just butter, icing sugar and cocoa but I find it's hard to get a nice colour without the icing being over cocoa-ey. So this time I used melted chocolate for a more indulgent taste.

Buttercream-

6oz Icing sugar

3oz butter

splash of milk

40g bar of Cadbury's 'Dairy Milk', melted

1 tablespoon cocoa (to colour)

-combine icing and butter

-add a splash of milk to bind

-add melted chocolate and cocoa and mix

-pipe or spoon onto cupcakes

I used white chocolate stars and edible glitter to decorate.

Simple but yummy, Enjoy!

Cadbury chocolate cupcakes

Cadbury's chocolate cupcakes-

My trusty chocolate cupcake recipe- makes 12

4oz margarine

4oz caster sugar

2 eggs

3oz self raising flour

1oz cocoa

-mix sugar and margarine until creamy

-add each egg individually with a pinch of flour to avoid curdling

-add remaining flour and cocoa

-spoon into cake cases

-cook in a pre-heated oven for 15-20 mins at 180c.

My usual chocolate icing is just butter, icing sugar and cocoa but I find it's hard to get a nice colour without the icing being over cocoa-ey. So this time I used melted chocolate for a more indulgent taste.

Buttercream-

6oz Icing sugar

3oz butter

splash of milk

40g bar of Cadbury's 'Dairy Milk', melted

1 tablespoon cocoa (to colour)

-combine icing and butter

-add a splash of milk to bind

-add melted chocolate and cocoa and mix

-pipe or spoon onto cupcakes

I used white chocolate stars and edible glitter to decorate.

Simple but yummy, Enjoy!

Sun-less-summer

So an update on my summer so far, which contains very little sun!
My parents had a week off last week so we had a few day trips out. We went to Chester when there was a carnival on. Sorry the pictures are rubbish but there was pirate ships, devils and angels.

Then we went to an amazing french restaurant where I found a new love for chicken liver pate and sea bass! I also tried some of my Dad's flourless chocolate pudding, soo good!

I had an experiment with bento boxes and made this. It didn't look beautiful and dainty but was very tasty.

We also went on a day trip to Liverpool, I very much enjoyed the Rolf Harris art exhibition. We also went to Albert Dock and I had my first trip to Wagamama. I liked the lambananas too.

I recurring theme is that I love lots of things in the shops but lack money. Here are some lovely things....

 Although I did get some 50p tulips- Bargain!

Oh, and we have a new pudding at work : Brownie Sundae.The little things cheer me up.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer/ looking forward to it.

Sun-less-summer

So an update on my summer so far, which contains very little sun!
My parents had a week off last week so we had a few day trips out. We went to Chester when there was a carnival on. Sorry the pictures are rubbish but there was pirate ships, devils and angels.

Then we went to an amazing french restaurant where I found a new love for chicken liver pate and sea bass! I also tried some of my Dad's flourless chocolate pudding, soo good!

I had an experiment with bento boxes and made this. It didn't look beautiful and dainty but was very tasty.

We also went on a day trip to Liverpool, I very much enjoyed the Rolf Harris art exhibition. We also went to Albert Dock and I had my first trip to Wagamama. I liked the lambananas too.

I recurring theme is that I love lots of things in the shops but lack money. Here are some lovely things....

 Although I did get some 50p tulips- Bargain!

Oh, and we have a new pudding at work : Brownie Sundae.The little things cheer me up.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer/ looking forward to it.

Birthday Celebrations!

This post is a bit early because it is actually my birthday tomorrow but I celebrated it at home this weekend and let me tell you, I was SO spoilt!

On Friday me and mum went shopping and I picked out some presents and we had a nice lunch. Then I went to work (the pub) for some drinks with friends.

Yesterday we had a lazy 'Big Bang' day and then Grandma arrived and Mum presented me with this amazing cake....

....which was really tasty! Then we went for a gorgeous meal at a local pub and came home for pink champagne.

 Today I went shopping with Grandma to pick out presents and was spoilt, yet again, in Pandora.

We then came home and I opened more presents and  had a lovely tea party prepared by Mum with yet more cake. Here is just some of the awesome gifts I received.

The tea party!

Lovely cupcakes

All my presents. They were presented in gorgeous bird storage boxes. The biggest contained two cocktail glasses, a bottle of vodka, a bottle of Martini Asti and cocktail mixes. The medium contained a netbook (spoilt!). I also got a Kath Kidston mug and bracelet from one of Mum's friends, and a manicure voucher to use in my uni town from a neighbour (brilliant!). I think Mum's intention was to get me 21 presents but she got carried away!

The awesome £21 man from another of Mum's friends!

New editions to the Pandora on the left, the bird and teapot from Grandma and the flower charm from a  lovely friend.

The handbag I picked from Grandma and you can also see my 'Keep Calm You're 21' mug.

Gorgeous 'Liquid Silver' pendent from Grandma.

Benefit perfume, make up and make up bag I picked from Mum and Dad.

And this isn't even everything! I am also going to be in constant supply of Lush bath bombs for a while with my gift card and lots of other things I haven't mentioned.

I cannot thank my family enough (especially Mum for putting in all the effort with the food/cake) and I cannot believe how lucky I am. It's not even my Birthday yet, I'm going out for a meal tomorrow and a night out on Friday so I'll have to give you an update.

This has been the best weekend ever.

Back at University

So I'm back in my uni house for a few days of lectures before I head home again for a weekend of birthday celebrations which I'm very excited about!
I had a more sociable, busy time at home than usual because I was working and going out with the girls from work, who I've recently become closer too. I loved being busy and had a lovely time.

Coming back to my uni house was actually rather boring, it was the lack of TV that I noticed (mainly Big Bang Theory). It was nice to see my housemates and uni friends again but I needed to get used to having time to myself again to be productive and occupy myself, I found time for a bath!
Of course I am very very excited about my birthday so I have that to look forward to and a fun filled weekend planned which has made starting my final term a bit less stressful.

I'm also trying to be healthy (with the exception of this weekend of course) and so far , on day 2, It's going well. I feel better for it and am off for a swim tonight so hopefully I'll be all set for summer.

There was time for one huge farewell chocolate fudge cake to share with the girls before I left though! How big is this?!