Chocolate sweets cake!

Last week I made a 18th birthday cake for a friend, and decided that I'd give a chocolate sweets/candy cake a try, which of course is any chocoholics dream cake. Surprisingly, this cake didn't take as long as I thought it would, and was quite fun to make and construct. I chose to use five types of chocolate sweets chocolate fingers for around the outside and to separate the other sweets, smarties, minstrels, malteasers and white chocolate buttons. However, you could use any sweets you like such as Kitkat, M&M's, Twix and rolo's.

For this cake I used a chocolate sponge, with a vanilla butter cream between the two layers. I then covered ('crumbed') the whole cake with chocolate butter cream to create a surface to stick the chocolate fingers to. I covered a cake board with white fondant icing and coloured spare fondant with blue gel food colouring.

Ingredients:

• 175g flour
• 175g sugar
• 175g butter
• 40g cocoa powder
• 75ml water

Buttercream

• 100g icing sugar
• 50g butter 
• 25g cocoa powder (for the chocolate icing)
• 1/2 teaspoon milk (if needed)

Method: 
For making cupcakes I just use a standard creaming method as I feel that this creates light, airy, spongy cakes. 
1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius and line your tins with grease proof paper
2. Place the (softened) butter/margarine into a mixing bowl along with the sugar,and mix together with a wooden spoon until fully combined and of a creamy consistency.
3. Place the eggs into the bowl one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each egg.
 NOTE: Don't worry if the mixture curdles, this is due to the eggs being too cold but this does not effect the cakes in any way, once the flour is added it will go back to normal.

4. Mix the cocoa powder & water then add this along with the flour to the mixture. Fold in with a metal spoon until the ingredients are all combined.
5. Finally place the mixture into the tins. 
6. Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are cooked all the way through.

7. While the cakes are cooling mix the softened butter and icing together until smooth. When making the chocolate buttercream add the coca powder in at the same time as the flour.

Happy Baking!

2014 favorites

As 2014 has come to an end I thought it was only fitting to share some of  my favorites of the year. The first is a television series, The Originals, which is a spin off series from The Vampire Diaries, now in the second season it just keeps getting better and better. Based on the original vampire family the story line follows their journey to take back their home town, dipping into their past.

The Originals season one- &17.50

The second item is a pair of shoes that I bought at the beginning of December from House Of Fraser, which are now unfortunately no longer available. However, these boots are the most comfortable I've ever bought, they're suitable to be worn with trousers as well as dresses and are even comfortable after walking for long periods.

Linea Chealsea boots- £49

The next is The Script's fourth album 'No Sound Without Silence', which was released in September and reached number one in 26 countries. These new songs by the Irish trio yet again have written heart felt lyrics within all of their songs, with the theme of the connection between two people. 

Signed copy of 'No Sound Without Silence'- £5.99
(Sorry about my hands in the picture)

For my birthday I received a few Tanya Burr nail varnish's as well as a beauty bag and shower wash from Zoella's collection. After using all of the nail varnish's my favorite is 'Penguin Chic', which is grey/lilac in colour, which is unlike any others I have seen. 

'New York Night', 'Little Duck', 'Red Riding Hood' and 'Penguin Chic'- £5.99

Early in 2014 I bought The Fault in Our Stars after many recommendations, and it was one of the best books I've ever read. The powerful story of Hazel and Augustus, shows the power of love and the battle that people face when diagnosed with cancer. 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green- £3.85

The last of my favorites is the Benefit 'Luv it up' eye shadow set. This limited edition set comes in a sturdy tin and includes three shade of shadow 'Call My Bluff', 'Nude Swings' and 'Thanks a Latte', an eye shadow base and a lip gloss. The three shades all work well together to achieve a nude look. Additionally, the base keeps the eye shadow on for much longer than it normally would.   

Benefit 'Luv it up' eye shadow set- £19.50

I hope you enjoyed taking a look at my favorite items of 2014! :)

2015!

It's the start of another new year and yet again I have no clue where the last year has gone! Although, I do know that I am much more excited for the year ahead than usual. This year seems to have a promising feel and hopefully the year I go to university. 

Despite the fact that the past three years haven't been that great i'm feeling more positive and upbeat than I ever have, which I suppose is a great thing to go into the new year with. Every year I set myself unrealistic resolutions or targets...which lets face it no one ever follows. However, this year my aim is just to do more of what I am passionate and what makes me happy. As well as the need to loose some unwanted holiday weight, that no doubt many people are battling with at the moment! 

The past year has bought some amazing and not so amazing memories but all of these have made me the person I am today, and I suppose that is something I should be grateful for. I've seen my favorite band many times, and am hopefully seeing them many more times in the year to come! This past year has also given me many more great friends, which of course makes the not so fun times more bearable. As well as this I've learnt that it's the little things, and family that I need to appreciate more, because without their support I don't think the year would have gone as smoothly as it did.

I've become more clear and optimistic about my future, and where I want to go in life. I've discovered that although you may not always get what you want or deserve, there are always ways of getting there and pushing your self further to achieve your goals, which is pretty important if I want to get into university. 

I'm excited to see what this upcoming year brings and the hopefully amazing memories that I will make, which I hope to share. 

I hope you had an amazing Christmas and a happy new year!