I'm not a huge fan of ice-cream but when it's really hot I have to say I am quite partial to a mint choc chip. So this week when #Bake-xit went mental and my phone was ringing off the hook for quotes and invites to chat on news shows, I baked a little to calm my nerves. See my thoughts on that below.
Cupcakes:
150g Stork margarine or unsalted butter, softened
150g caster sugar
3 large eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
150g self-raising flour
3 tablespoons milk
8 mint matchmakers chopped into small pieces
Ganache:
150g milk chocolate
120ml double cream
Buttercream:
200g unsalted butter, softened
400g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
24 mint aero balls
You will also need 1 x 12 hole muffin tins lined with paper cases
Preheat the oven to 170c/325f/Gas mark 3
Heat the cream and milk chocolate together until the chocolate has melted, stirring the whole time until completely combined. Leave to one side to cool and thicken.
In the bowl of free-standing mixer cream the margarine (or butter) and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Gradually add the beaten eggs mixing well between each addition. Add the vanilla extract and milk. Sieve the flour into the bowl, add the chopped matchmakers and stir until the flour and matchmakers are well incorporated.
Divide the mixture between the 12 cupcake cases, I use an ice-cream scoop to spoon the batter into the cases so that each cake has the same amount of batter. Bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a wooden inserted into the middle of the cakes comes out clean.
Leave to cool on a wire rack until cold before icing with buttercream.
Add a teaspoon of the set ganache onto the centre of each cupcake. Chill for 15 minutes till the ganache firms.
Meanwhile make the buttercream, beat the butter, vanilla extract and icing sugar together in a free-standing machine until light and fluffy. I use a ice-cream scoop to add a scoop of buttercream onto each cake, then use an off-set spatula to smooth into a dome.
Spoon the remaining ganache into either a disposable piping bag or a squeezy bottle and heat in the micro until just runny, but still cool. Drizzle over the centre of each cupcake add a few sprinkles and an aero ball either side of the drizzle.
No1. The Beeb should have paid up
But I'm guessing they have budget restraints to stick to.
No2. Love Productions are greedy
Now this got me thinking (they are after all mere mortals like you and I). if I had a business would I sell to the highest bidder? Or would I have integrity and sell for a reported less than a half?! So this is how I put it into context in my own mind, because I'm never going to be dealing in tens of millions.
If I put my house up for sale and I had a 300 thousand pound offer and a 700 thousand pound offer which would I take? I know the people who are making the lower offer and I know they are decent people. The people who are making the second offer have a good reputation but maybe aren't quite as well to do as the first! But you know what the second set of people maybe amazing neighbours to the people living either side and maybe just maybe, may turn out to be better than the first set of people and they are willing to pay for my beautiful property that I'm so proud of which makes me think they will love and cherish it to protect their investment.
No3. Channel 4 will ruin the show
I really can't see C4 doing anything to harm the show after making such a huge investment. I have had the pleasure of meeting Jay Hunt and have to say my impression of her was that she is a true inspiration. She took the time to met with me and gave me sound advice. I think the show is in safe hands.
No4. Will the Judges and presenters stay the same
I sincerely hope so is my answer to this. I make no disguise in saying how I think the show just wouldn't be the same without any of them. They together are like the four musketeers, with their comedy banter and innuendos. I couldn't imagine the show without any one of them. Alas it seems we are losing Mel & Sue, I'm guessing Jo Brand or Graham Norton (as somebody to suggested to me this morning) maybe the ones to step into their unfillable shoes. They made my time on bake off so much brighter and better. That said I now couldn't imagine Masterchef without John and Greg, so who knows. As the say the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
And finally maybe now Love Productions have secured that huge fee they will let me have the hideous trophy that I won, at the time deemed too expensive for me to keep!! 😂
