mini victoria sponge cakes

It wouldn't be Easter without a little baking, would it?! I'm not very good at large round cakes (they always seem to be very dense) but I can muster up a good fairy cake and lemon drizzle loaf. Having spent many an afternoon with mum baking fairy cakes as a child, I'd like to think I have now mastered them! This Easter I decided to make a batch of mini Victoria sponge fairy cakes. This is a simple plain sponge batter with a gooey jam centre and classic icing sugar top. 

To make 24 fairy cakes you will need:

175g soft butter or baking spread (I used spread to get a really fluffy batter)
175g caster sugar
200g self raising flour
3 eggs
1 level tsp baking powder
Splash of milk
Blob of strawberry jam per cake

Preheat the oven to 180. Mix all the ingredients -except the jam- together as per any other cake batter. Add a desert spoon of batter to each fairy cake then add a dab of jam on top. Cover the jammy top with a small amount of batter and smooth over with a knife. 

Pop the cakes into the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. They will cook quickly so keep an eye on them so they don't brown too much. 

Once cooked (they should be springy to touch), cool on a rack. Once completely cool simply shower in icing sugar from a height. Et voila! Mini Victoria sponge cakes! 

Perfect for morning coffee or afternoon tea orrrr just as a snack- they are mini, after all! 

Wishing you a very Happy Easter - let's hope the rain stops soon. 




L. 

sunday at the v&a

With The American revising away for yet more exams, I am enjoying some time with pals. A few weekends ago I enjoyed a lovely last-minute adventure to the Surrey Hills with Lauren and Oli - the weather was perishing and we confronted a very surprising hail storm but we had a super afternoon, finishing off the afternoon with a swift half in the pub before heading back to the smoke. Two Sundays ago was spent with Sophie and a visit to the V&A. 

Despite studying History of Art at university, it's rare that I find myself exploring current exhibitions.. I'm not very good at getting around to it and then inevitably get there after the exhibition has finished. However, this time around Sophie was organised and had booked our tickets to see the opera exhibition in advance. 

We met on the steps of the museum a la Gossip Girl (Sophie's Blair, I'm Serena but with a few less issues..) and greeted each other with  hugs and giggles. 

I'm not sure I knew what to expect from the exhibition however it was brilliant and I really recommend it to those who enjoy music and theatre. It plots the history of the opera across cities, right from its inception in Venice to the present day. I realise that as I write this the exhibition has now finished (see, i told you - i'm terrible with these things!)but here are some snaps highlighting the best bits!

Having taken in the exhibition we found a nice spot for some lunch. Sophie has just moved in with her boyfriend so we spent much time catching up over that and exchanging horror stories about living with a boy. A perfect Sunday to distract us from Monday dread.  





L. 

beast from the east

Having enjoyed a week of blue skies and rising temperatures, we suddenly found ourselves living in a white winter wonderland, thanks to Storm Emma or The Beast from the East as it was affectionately coined. I love snow so was very excited to wake up to a white wash on Wednesday morning. Others in London were less enthusiastic, considering the train and tube network came to a stand still. Swings and roundabouts! 

Having wrapped up in all the clothes I set off on my walk to work, taking some snaps along the way.

St. Anne's was looking beautiful in the early morning sun and became a prime location for snow snaps.

The poor catkins didn't know what was happening, having just started to come out the week before. I'm hoping all my pots and bulbs haven't been killed off, especially considering temperatures dipped down to -5 at its lowest point. Only time will tell.

Storm Emma took longer to reach my parents' house but when it did, my god did it put up a fight. I have never seen anything like it as the combination of the wind and the snow being fine powder, the snow formed huge drifts like sculptures. Mum sent me pictures, each more amazing than the next.

Bella has probably never seen so much snow before, especially considering home had so much over Christmas. Mum reassured me she was keeping warm, as I did wonder whether she needed a little coat or something! Apparently farm dogs are hardy little critters. 

Isn't this the strangest sight?! The snow had blown up onto the verge and formed these abstract curves and mounds. There was no chance any car was going to be able to drive out of the village!

Now all the snow has gone and the temperature is sitting at a positively balmy 10 degrees. The birds are tweeting away and I have fresh daffodils on the kitchen table once more. The snow was nice whilst it lasted but now I'm looking forward to spring. Lambing starts next weekend at home and I'm looking forward to seeing those lambs bouncing around in sun-drenched fields. 

L.