Vanilla Layer Birthday Cake

I couldn't wait. Here is the recipe for the birthday cake I made for Dad's birthday. Have a look at the last post for pics of the party.
I am really terrible at sticking to recipes. This one was meant to be from the Primrose Bakery cupcake recipe book but I definitely didn't follow the method. I am a cake baking maverick.

Here's what you need:

For the cake..

• Two 8 inch cake tins
• 225g soft butter
• 210s self raising flour, sifted
• 25g corn flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons of milk at room temperature

To beautify:

• A batch of buttercream icing
• Raspberry jam
• Strawberries

Made up Method:

Right so this is what I did. I take no responsibility if yours doesn't work out. You just are not as much of a talented baker extraordinaire. No really. I have made this a few times and it always works so you should be grand if you want to give it a go.

Cream the butter and sugar together. Sieve in the flour,cornflour and baking powder and mix gently. If you over mix the batter when the flour is in they can get all tough and horrible. Next add your eggs. And beat until they are incorporated. This is where I add the milk and vanilla. Put the batter into your buttered tins and place in a 180 degree oven (160 if it's a fan oven) and bake until a skewer comes out clean. Cool. As in cool down on a rack but I guess they are pretty cool too.

To make the buttercream icing, cream 110g of soft butter with 500g of icing sugar until it is nice and smooth. Add 60 ml of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. You can also put in a few drops of food colouring but I didn't bother.

Now decorate however you like and let them eat cake!

Joey x

Homemade Vanilla Extract

So my first post was an emotional rolercoaster. Now let's make something pretty. Hurray!
Vanilla is the best. I put it in literally everything that seems like a good idea. But pure vanilla extract is really pricey. As in €11 a bottle. Too much for a lowly student like me. So I tried making it. Here is what i did/needed.

Things you will need:

• Pretty little jars or bottles that have a lid you can seal tightly
• Vodka
• Fresh vanilla pods

I got my vanilla as a gift but apparently it's a million times cheaper on the internet than from shops.

Things that you don't need but make it look nicer:

• Stripey string which is apparently called "baker's twine." Who knew?
• Brown paper to make tiny, fancy labels.
• Vanilla candle is optional if you're feeling romantic.

Method:

Cut your vanilla pods to fit whatever size your jar or bottle is. Next take your vanilla pods and slice them down the middle leaving a little bit at the end to keep them together.

Now squish them into the jars in a way that you are leaving yourself plenty of room for the vodka. Pour in the vodka so that it goes right up to the top. It needs to fully cover the vanilla.

Now all that's left is to seal the lid and make labels if you want. You could just stick a label on but that is no fun. Brown paper and baker's twine tags anyone?...Yes please.

Store them in a cool, dark press/cupboard and give them a shake once a week. Don't even think about using it for at least two months, if not longer. It will not be delicious yet. I'll do vanilla updates about what mine looks like each week.

Joey x