How to Win a Blue Ribbon: Part One

After living in Toowoomba for six years, I have decided 2011 is the year to enter THE SHOW otherwise known as the "Toowoomba Royal Show". Now I know calling this "How to win a blue ribbon" may be a little advantageous. But if I didn't expect to win I wouldn't be entering....right..
The cooking schedule finally went up on their website last week. So this weekend I plan to read it over carefully and make sure I meet all the specificiation and criteria. I have had a brief read of it and boy was I confused. So many classes and rules - they need to put in a "how to understand the schedule" section for novices like me. I think I will be entering the teacake section and chocolate cake section.
I have just worked out I have approx 10 weeks to practice. Boy! Will I need it. I need to research and ask from professionals for hints and tips.
I also need to perfect the recipes. I just this morning baked a teacake using the recipe that came on the back of the cooking schedule. What a failure! It might taste ok but it's not show quality.
Firstly it stuck to the sides of the pain. And its crumbly. It is allowed to crumble???.. I need to find out these things!!

Ok I am off to do some research & read through the cooking schedule. I think tomorrow I will be attempting a chocolate cake :)

Face my fears

So I finally decided to face my fears and make some mini pavlovas. Now I don't know why, but I have always been nervous about being able to whip up egg whites to the right consistency, so have never attempted pavlova or meringues.
BUT... They are so easy.. well I guess with the right equipment. I have a standing mixer which I am sure makes it 100% easier. I used a recipe from best recipes and for my first attempt I was so impressed. They are delicious. I might put a picture up later if I can get a good one.

I also made some playdough as a christmas present for a friend's little boy. NOTE to self: next time wear gloved when kneading in the food dye. Stained nails and hands do not look nice to anyone. But also the playdough turned out good. I am hoping for a hat trick today though and am about to try another new recipe I haven't used before. Special K banana muffins :)

Bite the bullet..

I have been meaning to start a blog for a few months now. Today is the day! Any tips and tricks on making this look better and any blog-etiquette would be appreciated.

For many that know me they will know that I am somewhat obsessed with cupcakes.. baking them, buying tiers for them and basically collecting anything with a cupcake on it. I have decided to challenge myself to a Julia & Julia-esque style challenge.



I am going to bake my way through all the cupcake recipes in the Women's Weekly cookies & cupcakes book. Now originally I was going to use the newer version of the book that I have but there is 60 odd recipes.





So instead I will be using this version:

I don't know how long I will be giving myself to complete them all. I also think I might make some variations as a few of them don't have any icing and I am a big fan of icing. But here is the complete list

1. Chocolate and Coconut Sponge cakes
2. Choc Top
3. Chocolate Ginger Cakes with HoneyComb Cream
4. Black Forest Cakes
5. Lamington Angel Cakes
6. Chocolate Date & Almond Meringues (although not a typical cupcake it's in the book so will have to attempt it)
7. Coffee Caramel Cakes
8. Caramel Mud Cakes
9. White Chocolate Mud Cakes
10. Coconut Cherry Hearts
11. Apple Custard Teacakes
12. Passionfruit Curd Cakes
13. Very Berry Cakes
14. Daisy Cakes