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If you want that little bit extra adding to the top of your choux buns, then why not add some Craquelin dough? Not only will it give you a crackling effect, but it will also give it some texture and crunch too. Done correctly, it helps the choux expand more evenly, giving you a more rounded prettier-looking choux bun. To make craquelin, you will need equal amounts of: Softened Unsalted Butter Light Brown Sugar Plain Flour Please note that the amount you require will depend on what you...

We're back with the easy toppers, and these ones are no different. All you'll need are a few key ingredients and a batch of cupcakes. The Minnie Mouse Cupcake Toppers are quick and easy to make, and I have varied the styles slightly depending on how you want to decorate them. There are a few different ways to present them, and even if you don't have all the tools, I can show you an alternative way to get the same results. Either way, you'll delight your family and friends. What you'll...

Here is my Deano Dinosaur cake! It's not your average 17-year-old's cake, but when it's your own daughter, and you beg her to let you make her one because you like the theme so much, what can she say? We did watch Jurassic park over the weekend, so it's definitely in keeping with the theme. :wink: I had great fun making this, and I'm so happy by the cheerful Dino vibe she brings to the cake. In fairness, I have offered to make my daughter another cake as a thank you for letting me make...

So we're now back after the summer break, and what a wonderful way to return to the BSG meetings than with a demo from Julie Rogerson! Julie has been making models for over ten years and has numerous accreditations under her belt. As well as being a fabulous tutor, she has also written her own book too. I was lucky enough to meet her at our last BSG meeting, where she came to give us a demo. These are just a few of the models that she makes, and she has a website online where you can go...

If you are looking at making some Garibaldi Biscuits, then be sure to check out these hints and tips before you bake. To ensure the best out of your Garibaldi Biscuits, try some of the following:- Roll the dough thin. Chop fruit into small chunks, soak in juice and then heat and soften on the hob. Drain the fruit in a sieve, and then pour onto a plate lined with kitchen towel. This removes any extra moisture and lets the fruit cool. If you don't, the biscuits will be soft and soggy when...

If you are having trouble with a buttercream cake and need to hide some of the flaws you are experiencing, here are five ways you can hide, disguise or enhance your imperfections. How to cover flaws and imperfections on a buttercream cake. 1 Pipe roses on the cake to cover it. 2 Cover the exterior in chocolate curls. 3 Add sprinkles to the buttercream in various areas around the cake. 4 Strategically place dragees or pearls in the flawed areas and make them part of the pattern...

Red velvet cake can be a bit of a conundrum for some people; effectively, it's a chocolate cake with a vanilla flavour that's bright red in colour and sometimes contains vinegar! So once you've got your head and taste buds around that one, it's good to know that it should be paired with some cream cheese or mascarpone type frosting to help elevate this beautiful velvet cake. To help you achieve the overall look and texture of the cake, here are a few tips to help get you started. Tips...

Yeah! I'm pleased to announce that GBBO will be back on our screens this evening at 8 pm sharp on Channel 4! (Albeit a few weeks later than usual, but who cares!) Paul, Prue, Matt and Noel are also back by popular demand, along with a host of new contestants. This year we have a bilingual student, a nuclear scientist, a supermarket cashier, a music teacher and an architectural assistant, to name but a few. So grab your brew put your feet up, and let the baking commence! On your...

To help keep your cake in place when using buttercream or frosting, you can stick a piece of double-sided tape to the turntable and then place your cake board on the top. This will keep the board in place and stop the board and cake from moving while you buttercream. Or if you don't fancy sticking the board to the turntable, you could always use a non-stick mat, silicone mat or piece of black anti-slip mat to hold the cake and board in place instead. Either way, it won't move. Basic...

A cake comb is a decorating tool with a straight edge or ridges (teeth) that allows you to apply patterns or straight edges on a buttercream or frosted cake. There are multiple ones to choose from, and the results you can get from them are endless. Not only can they create patterns or straight edges, but they can also be used for cutting dough and incorporating ingredients together, so you don't have to get your hands dirty. They are usually made from metal, plastic, and acrylic and help...

I was asked to make a cake for one of the gardeners at work who was expecting a baby girl. I was surprised but really pleased. I decided on a teddy and toy theme, with Some baby items. The cake was a vanilla sponge but to add a surprise I added sprinkles to it. I had never made a teddy topper before but after a few false starts was really pleased with my efforts. The cake was a huge hit and she was over the moon with it as was my friend who asked me to make it.

I really enjoy making birthday cakes for my friends at work. Recently I made a jigsaw cake for Kate who loves doing them, we had a new starter and wasn’t sure what she was into but I knew she loves animals, bugs etc, possibly that is why she applied for the wardens job on our estate, so I made a log and had great fun making all the little creatures. The cake is a chocolate one which I filled with chocolate fudge icing. I used wood moulds for the outside but everything else is handmade. Our...

Adding multiple flavours or a mixture of ingredients into cakes and bakes can create something magnificent, so with that in mind and carrying on from my recent post relating to flavour combinations, here are a few more for you to look at. The lists below are there to help you work out what flavour pairings complement each other and will hopefully help you experiment a little more in the kitchen. Spices All Spice - Can add warm undertones and enhance flavours in any puddings or pies that...

While still enjoying the summer holidays, I thought it might be nice to put together a tutorial on some Alien Cupcake Toppers that I recently made. In keeping with the easy theme, I have made them in numerous colours for effect. If you decide to make them, you can stick with one colour or let your imagination run wild. You could also add your own twist by adding different patterns or even hair. I like them just as they are, so here's how to make them. You will need some of the following...

We've been making toppers again this week, and Han's been coming up with her own creations. Keeping with the Alien theme that we've been working on, she has created her own unique Alien Astronaut. She then made a scary alien topper and the moon and stars to go along with it. I love the raised eyes she created when making her scary alien and the way she painted the teeth using the end of a cocktail stick. She used the same technique to create the stars and mixed navy and black sugarflair...

If you're looking at making some flavoursome bakes or want to upgrade some of your old recipes, then why not check out some of these flavour combinations? If you're looking for summer vibes, then any citrus fruit will give you that tangy zingy flavour that you have been looking for. Lime and Coconut are a perfect combination. Lemon with Blackberries or Raspberries pairs beautifully. Thyme can also compliment Lemon and Lime dishes but be careful with it, add a little and you can't taste...

So I've been back to another meeting with the BSG, and this month we've had the opportunity to sit and watch a demonstration on how to make Spider Chrysanthemums with Lesley Dalton. The flower above was a replica of the Spider Chrysanthemums she showed us how to make on the day. Lesley was very helpful, took us step-by-step on how to make the flowers, and gave us advice and insight into her techniques along the way. Not only did she show us how to make them from start to finish, but she...