Actually, we call them fairycakes.  And from the pics below you would be forgiven for thinking my love goes beyond normal into the realms of obsession.  Not true, although I do know of some complete cupcake queens. (Cupcakes take the cake, cupcaketastic, Cupcake Bakeshop by Chockylit  , to name but a few). 
We just make them a lot [...]

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This is a simple Victoria sponge recipe, that works every time and improves over 2 or 3 days.  The recipe makes 6 -8 giant muffins or 12 – 16 regular muffins.
Cream

350g butter
350g caster sugar

Sift together

350g Plain (cake) flour
2 pinches of bicarb
2 t baking powder

Lightly beat

6 large freerange eggs
1/4 cup warm water

When the buttercream is light [...]

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This is not the cheesecake I learnt to bake at my mother’s knee.  That cheesecake is a light and fluffy, lemonscented confection.  This cheesecake is heavier, richer, chocolatey-er, and easier to bake.  I have been making it a lot at the deli recently and as it has been so well received we keep baking it.  [...]

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Okay, I’ve finally succumbed to the dark side.  I have signed up for facebook, bowing not to peer pressure, but to TDPS (teenage daughter pressure syndrome).  And you’re right.  My daughter is not yet  a teenager, but she is practising hard, and there is nothing more demoralising for someone barely 36 years young (okay 36 [...]

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