Raspberry and White Chocolate Brownies!

Cookbook For Girls - Dorling Kindersley

Well, I have got a new cook book, and I tested out a lovely little recipe a few days ago. I love making my own dark chocolate brownies, but I was dying to try out the white chocolate and raspberry brownies in my new little recipe book. Being a lover of those beautiful little things that are Millies cookies (my favourites being the white chocolate and raspberry kind!), I knew that these brownies would be delicious.

the finished product!.... scrummy!

To my delight, after a few warm brownies and ice cream, I still had some raspberries left over. I decided to finish off the day with a nice homemade Raspberry and lime cocktail by the pool. Lime juice, vodka, lemonade, a few crushed raspberries and a raspberry to decorate... Gorgeous!

Shopping in Lakeside

I had a day off work an decided to toodle up to Lakeside for a spot of shopping with my younger sister... I had a lovely day and had a scrumptious lunch in Las Iguanas: chicken fajitas and a banoffee pie to share for pudding... it was gorgeous!

But back to the shopping... I didnt buy very many things. I bought this little top from Primark for £4 a nice summery item to add to my wardrobe, and this little brown tea dress. Granny chic is "in" so I'm told, but I just loved it, and only £18 to boot!

£4 top - Primark and £18 dress - Yours

I found an amazing little cardigan in Dorothy Perkins, a short sleeved grey cardigan with pink flamingos on it and fell in love... but to my utter dismay they did not stock my size! So, of course, once I got home from my little Lakeside trip I had to seek it out on the internet, and it is currently on its way to me via royal mail.

£15 Flamingo cardigan - Dorothy Perkins

Overall, a very nice little shopping trip, not a huge amount of stuff (everything I bought fit into the large paper Primark bag) but it was quality not quantity that mattered.

My adventures in cupcake land

I recently recieved a brilliant little recipe book for my birthday, entitled 'Cupcakes'. Three guesses for what's inside... Its written by Susanna Tee, who has already published a string of successful cupcake recipe books. Her Introductory statement sums up the book quite nicely,

"Whipping up a batch of beautiful cupcakes could not be simpler or more fulfilling wih this diverse collection of recipes celebrating a vey special little cake. Whether seeking an aternative to the traditional wedding cake, or baking good old lemon butterfly cakes, this little cupcake cornucopia will not disappoint."

I had a free sunday and decided to try some of the recipes out. As soon as I had flicked through the book, a few of the recipes jumped out at me and I couldnt wait to give them a trial run. Being a lover of chocolate and coconut (not necessarily together but it's an added bonus if so!) I had to try out the Coconut Cherry Cakes and the Warm Molten-Centered Chocolate Cupcakes.

The Warm Molten-Chocolate Cupcakes

Both were equally delicious; I served the molten-chocolate cupcakes shortly after taking them out of the oven so as to best appreciate the warm gooey chocolate centre... (divine!) and allowed the coconut cherry cupcakes to cool before adding butter icing and a cherry on top (gorgeous!)

The Coconut Cherry Cupcakes

My trouble when buying cook books is that I only ever make two or three of the recipes and then it ends up at the back of a kitchen cupboard, but this little book of delights will definitely be well used, and I recommend it to any lover of baking or cupcakes.

Next on my list to bake from 'Cupcakes': Frosted Peanut butter Cupcakes, Shredded Orange Cupcakes and the Banana and Pecan Cupcakes... so watch this space. (best that I spread these cupcake baking sessions out over a few months else I may have to alter my polka dot dresses to accomodate them!)