Cake eleven

Dough Friends

I wouldn’t call this a cake, in fact it’s more like an edible party decoration. Birthdays and festivities are more than simple dates on a calendar, they’re a chance for family and friend get-togethers.

They’re important in my family too: good food, a homemade cake and a beautifully laid table. Ever since I can remember there’s been a special occasion table with our best plates, glasses, silver cutlery and table decorations.
My mum and her sisters laid the table one day ahead, and every time the table looked different according to the time of the year or the reason for the party. Good memories which last a lifetime!

I'm still continuing this habit but I’ve added a new element to this long family tradition: edible decorations which can be made of bread or of sweeter doughs. 
In fact I love Northern Europe Christmas cooking customs - ‘Lebkuchen’ in all shapes and Father Christmas’s House are my favourite recipes! 

That’s what I have recently made for a ‘Welcome party’ for two foreign friends.

Song: In my life

We all have people and places we’ll never forget

for the recipe follow me on:
http://time-for-cake-making.blogspot.it/2012/11/cake-eleven-dough-friends.html

Cake ten

Black Forest Cake

Back home from India. It wasn’t the first time to the East for me but India is indeed an experience which sticks in your mind. Everything’s different although there are some points in common after the so many years of British influence.

It’s been a total immersion in Indian life: from family to school life. If I were asked to define India I'd say it’s the country of spices and colours. As for cooking it’s amazing the way they mix vegetables, and lentils to make cakes and sweets too... Indian cakes are really far from our idea of a cake.: they’re not so sweet and are served cut in small pieces.. But when it comes to birthday cakes, I must say I’didn’t expect to see and taste so delicious and perfectly decorated cakes!

Chocolate and black forest cakes are in my opinion a must you shouldn’t miss if you happen to travel to India.

So in honour of my trip to India here’s a Black Forest cake I made for my son’s 18th birthday party a few years ago.

Song: The continuing story of Bungalow Bill
Deep in the jungle, tiger hunting to the sound of this quirky tune

for the recipe follow me on:
http://time-for-cake-making.blogspot.it/2012/11/cake-ten-black-forest.html