Blighty Boutique Vintage and Handmade Fair

It was an early start for me considering it was a Sunday. Despite the terrible weather urging me to stay snuggly in bed, I had an important date.

Today was the day of the Blighty Boutique Vintage and Handmade Fair at Hatton Park Village Hall. Mother and daughter team, Carolyn and Amy, have organised several of these fairs now, always with a large donation to their chosen charity, and they attract stall holders and visitors from miles around. The last fair had over 800 visitors.

In addition to lots of fabulous stalls selling gorgeous vintage and handmade collectables, there is always a vintage styled tea room which is very popular, as all the delicious cakes are handmade.

My friend Ali from Felicitations Vintage had a table laden with her gorgeous china and homewares ..

and the next stand was a huge temptation with these lovelies ….

It was tough, but I resisted the urge to buy, hearing Mr Daisy’s voice in my ear ‘another old tin dear?’.

The lovely Lyndsey, owner and very talented creator of ElsieSparrow had an utterly gorgeous stand formed from an old bicycle, a fabulous old painted kitchen table and some wooden crates … such creative style showcasing her beautiful handmade items.

I already have a lovely Elsie Sparrow large purse that I use to store my Sat Nav, modelled on Betty, Vintage Scoops ice cream van and I love it …

So today I had to get a little companion for her … just had to buy one of these cute purses, so perfect for my phone, or for make up in my handbag or just for looking at and admiring and stroking!

The cake stall and tea room was bulging with the most gorgeous cakes including my favourite millionaire shortbread …

(recipe coming soon on ‘Something For The Weekend’)

and this moist gooey chocolate cake (must get the recipe from Carolyn!)

Very very nearly came home with this teapot and mirror (love), next time eh?!

But I did come home with this sweet little cup posing as a pin cushion! The pin cushion is no more, but the little cup will be used in my photographs – can you imagine a beautiful pink and gold cake sitting in it?!

The next Blighty Boutique Fair is on Sunday 3rd June 2012 so put it in your diary as Daisy Cupcakes will be having a stand exhibiting and selling our gorgeous cakes.

Hope you have had a lovely weekend, I certainly have, Daisy Cupcakes

Something For The Weekend Number Six

I know it’s only Thursday, but I thought that posting the recipe today would give you a chance to buy any ingredients you don’t have, as this is a recipe you HAVE to make. You will love it and it will become a great favourite because it’s delicious and easy!

At this point, I have to admit that only two other people come close with their version of LEMON DRIZZLE CAKE, my mother (she is the original maker of the cake) and Dave, the husband of my friend Ali, the owner of Felicitations Vintage, who makes a very special version! In fact, his nickname is Mr Drizzle.

So have a go, see how fabulous your version is. This cake freezes beautifully, so you can make it in advance or even be a real domestic goddess (god) and make more than one at a time. It will keep for 4 or 5 days in a tin (it won’t actually, cos it will get eaten in less than a day!)

Ingredients

6 ounces unsalted butter, soft
6 ounces caster sugar
4 medium eggs
2 lemons
4 ounces self raising flour
2 ounces ground almonds

For the topping:
2 ounces granulated sugar
1 lemon

Method

Preheat oven to 180C, 160C fan, gas 4.
Grease and line the base of a 2lb loaf tin with baking parchment paper.

Tip: I grease my tins the way my lovely nana used to … with a little bit of butter paper. Baking parchment paper is essential for baking and can be bought easily in all supermarkets. It is NOT the same as grease proof paper!

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy – use a hand held electric whisk if you have one, or if you have a Kenwood, the K beater does a very good job!

Gradually beat in the eggs and the finely grated rind from the 2 lemons.

Love my old but brilliant Ikea Grater.

Stir in the juice of HALF a lemon.

My very very old tupperware lemon squeezer! It’s listed as ‘vintage’ on eBay!

Fold the flour and ground almonds into the mixture then spoon into the prepared tin.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.
Whilst its cooking, make your topping. This bit is really hard!

In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar with the grated rind and juice of 1 lemon.

That was difficult wasn’t it?!

When the cake is ready, take it from the oven and immediately pour over the topping.

And now for the hardest bit of all …… leave to cool completely in the tin when all you want to do is have a slice!

Turn the gorgeous lemon drizzle cake out of the tin when it’s cold, slice and ENJOY!

It’s lovely with ice cream too, oh and cream and creme fraiche … in fact, we have enjoyed it with custard too for pudding!

Happy Weekend folks, Daisy Cupcakes x

Have just served my lemon drizzle for afternoon tea with the family ….

And next week, my ‘Something For The Weekend’ will be the lovely tea loaf served here smothered in butter next to the lemon drizzle cake. See you next week for more baking x