ginger cake recipe

As a follow on to yesterday’s post, here is the recipe for the ginger cake, from Tesco website.

Ingredients:

175 g butter
175 g soft brown sugar
175 g golden syrup
200 ml milk
2 eggs, whisked
325 g self-raising flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

(you could also try adding stem ginger, or crystallized ginger for an added kick, or maybe some dried fruit)

Method:

1.Heat oven to Gas 2, 150°C, 300°F. Butter and line a 1kg (2lb) loaf tin with baking paper.
2.Melt butter, sugar and syrup in a pan on a low heat, mix so that the sugar has melted into the butter and syrup. remove from the heat, add the milk and blend until smooth, add the eggs and mix in. Finally fold in the flour, ginger and bicarbonate of soda, pour into the prepared loaf tin.
3.Bake for 1 hour, then cover with baking paper and bake for another 30 minutes. To check that the cake is cooked insert a knife into the middle and it should come out clean.
4.Remove cake from the oven and leave for 5 minutes, then turn out of the baking tin and cool. If possible, wrap cake in greaseproof paper and leave it in a tin to enrich for a week as it improves with age.

(Personally, I prefer the cake straight from the oven)

(points in italics are my additions)

I’m planning to make one and ice in instead of a Christmas cake this year.

dotcomchristmas

As much as we might be trying to deny the fact that Christmas is on the way, truth is there are only 39 days to go.
Dotcomgiftshop has long been a go-to place for buying Christmas gifts, with their fantastic range of unique and often vintage style wares to suit every one and every budget.

When they got in touch with me a couple of weeks ago offering to send me some cake tins I was delighted. You know I love baking. And I needed new tins. And I love dotcomgiftshop. It would have been downright stupid to say no. Right?

I’ve been saving writing this post until I’d had a chance to bake something to go in the tins


(here)

Today I finally had a chance, and whipped up a ginger cake to pop inside.


These tins, at £35 might not be cheap but what I really love is that you can use just one of them, or two, or all three. They also look pretty without being gaudy (as a lot of the tins I’d seen in shops were) and have the vintage feel that I love.

I don’t think the cake is going to last very long in the tin. It’s SO good. I had some whilst it was still warm from the oven. Delicious!

Check out dotcomgiftshop and their extensive selection of gifts for all. There are new arrivals every week, as well as special offers and extensive gift guides to help you find your perfect present.

What is your favourite piece from the site?

This is going on my wish list!

Bonus, random outfit photo from first thing this morning when a bleary eyed Mum played photographer.

xxx

swish swish

A few weeks ago I was tagged by the lovely lady bug says to take part in “post it on” by clothing at tesco
On Friday a parcel turned up for me, from tesco and inside was this amazing skirt.

I chose this skirt because I see it as a really versatile piece, with the ability to be dressed up or down.
Today I met my lovely Becca in town and decided to give the skirt its first airing; worn with a black top and chunky boots.

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The cut and drape of this skirt is just amazing. It’s quite heavy, but so much as to restrict movement.
As you can see, it’s also perfect for twirling in.

I can’t wait to style it in more ways. Expect to see a LOT more of this skirt on the blog!
Thank you so much to lady bug and tesco!

Happy Monday one and all
xxx

Sunday [lack of] Style

Sunday, a day of rest which generally means I wave goodbye to fashion and wear whatever falls out of my wardrobe first.

Today it happened to be these denim shorts and a vintage jumper I picked up on a ward trip for something silly like £3.

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The jumper reminds me a lot of my time spent working in a nursing home..the old ladies used to favour this kind of style, but I love it regardless.

Sunday also means post secret day

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this one made me smile.

Happy Sunday
xoxox

this week’s lust list

Happy Saturday!
It’s time for another wish list from me…

Go Away I’m Reading mug from the literary gift company. I just think this is bloody brilliant.

Pink braided charm braclet from Temporary Secretary. I discovered this shop through twitter and have been drooling ever since! I love delicate bracelets and these fit the bill perfectly.

For the second week in a row Vero Moda have made it on to my lust list, this time with their structured, oversized top. (Picture from their facebook page)

And finally, I’m on the hunt for a pair of winter shorts. This velvet pair from ASOS are exactly what I’m after, but I currently don’t have £30 to spend on a pair!

What are you lusting after this week?