ANorman, that's the one!

Roxy did you mean copd or is there something called cpd I'm not aware of?

All this talk of exercise is making me tired! I haven't got time to excercises, I've only just finished ironing my auntie and grandads washing ready to take back to them in the morning! I'm dead on my feet today. I'm busy and knackered most days but today's just been hectic. So apologies for anything I might've missed but I'm off to bed now. G'nite everyone. :-)

A

Uhm... ALL of it?! Hahah particularly hate the wings!

AHi all, I'm not looking for praise, but do you think these are ok?

[IMG]http://www.cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3273172/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

My 'last minute' (ie she only paid the deposit today for Sunday - grrrr...) woman wanted toppers added to my design and so I asked if her babies have any special toys. Apparently they each have one of these monkeys - one pink and one purple. I said I'd try to recreate them. The faces are pretty pants, but do you think they'll do, or should I redo them tomorrow?

ANope Kuuushi my thoughts exactly. If they're not clean upstairs they're not clean downstairs. And his hairs dirty, that bothers me almost as much as dirty teeth. Can you imagine what's lurking under his fingernails?

I liked last years winner Lizzy but I didn't think she was the best baker. Ruby completely did my head in and I thought Kimberly was probably the best baker but I so didn't like her, very smug and false I thought. And when she used the giant cupcake tin I was quite amazed that was allowed. Where's the skill in that?! The tin does the work for you.

I really an off to bed now. Night, night. :-)

A

*deletes praise comment* those are fine marvel :D

AM4rvel I'm trying to get to bed here! Nothing wrong with the faces, they're really good, the kids will love them. :-)

Kuuushi nothing wrong with the wings! Stop flapping! :-D

Goodnight. :-)

A

Oh my gosh yes! Someone that thinks like me! Haha hubby says I'm nasty but if he was working in a food place id turn on my heel and walk out. It's just the way I am! Have a bath!!!

Loving the little girl in this years group, Martha ?? How cute is she?! Rooting for her as she's looking quite the baker to beat!

Loooove how precise nancy is, she's my second :D

Hate the big talk from people. Absolutely soaked with tears of laughter when that Irish bloke scored his Swiss roll sponge. WHAAAAT?! Love how he didn't expect it to break too. Made me pee a little laughing!

AI know Mary was biting her lip, she was just about to say when ole blue eyes nudged her away.

Nice monkies marvel.

AWell I think there's nothing wrong with your plane so stop worrying!

AFab fab plane!!!

A[quote name="Lizzybug78" url="/t/622656/a-thread-for-all-uk-bakers/15420#post_7541468"]Well I think there's nothing wrong with your plane so stop worrying!

AGreat plane and fab monkeys they do look like the toy

AYes thats his name, BrenDan, very much like him, good though.

I did like Nancy and Martha, bless her the one with blonde curly hair sounded like she knew what she was talking about and she made two dry sponges.

AIs any one else's uploading photo thing not working?

A

AI like the plane and the monkeys! I don't think I'm going to get to watch Bake Off in my house....my husband hates Mary. :( I think that's why we went to Costco! Just so he could avoid having her on the telly. I need to find a way around this......

Lynne: I've got the Alan Silverwood tins - they were quite pricey - I never realised that Lakeland did that sort of tin. Grrr

Kathy

A

Mine still isn't working either nanny. Cake central need to get on it!

ALots of the Lakeland ones are silverwood Kathy, that's where I got the set of 16 mini round ones from. They do the speciality range normally, then they have a Delia range of standard sizes which are exclusive to Lakeland, but I don't like the look of them as much as normal silverwood. I think the sides weren't right angles or something, can't quite remember! The proper one are a great range though. I was an invicta girl through and through, but I am tempted to buy only silverwood when I need new ones now. I just keep meaning to do a direct comparison before I decide!

How did your silhouettes go? Did you try the pastillage?

AHi Lizzy - no I didn't try the pastillage yet - haven't made it for donkeys years and lost my recipe. I lost loads of recipes actually (I used to have a great one for flowerpaste using Dr Wernets denture powder!!). Do you have a favourite recipe for it Lizzy? I went to Costco last night - missed bake off but I think that was a ploy by DH as he can't stand Saint Mary of the Baking World. I don't mind her - I think she can be condescending sometimes - but then she is of a great age (actually somebody who is older than me! Lol).

Kathy

AHi All! Wow loads I've missed again LOL!

Love the plane Kuuushi, and the monkeys look great Marvel, don't know what you guys are worrying about!

V jealous of the van Tiddy!! DH would love me to have one for some reason, but I've said not until I've got premises as we've nowhere to keep one. I do need to get door magnets for my car though, and a 'cake delivery in progress' decal for the rear window! :grin: Hope you're feeling ok today x

So glad Bake Off is back, loved the Jaffa cakes from last night they looked delicious! Loved all the homemade gadgets too, they were fab ideas, I want someone to come up with one of those guillotine things for cutting dowels evenly! Totally agree with comments about the IT guy though, he just looked a bit grubby!? :/

I actually wanted to pick people's brains today if that's ok, I really want to try making a meringue buttercream for my MILs birthday cake this week, ideally a really good raspberry flavour too! Does anyone have a good recipe at all, as I've never done SMBC or IMBC so not sure what's best? I've got a carton of Two Chicks to use, is that ok?

Hi all

 

Maisie yes I did mean copd, not cpd 

 

Marvel monkeys are great.

 

Now you've got me thinking Mel a gadget that cuts dowels evenly would be great.

AThanks all, but definitely think today's redo are better though...

[IMG]http://www.cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3273274/width/200/height/400[/IMG]

AHas kuuushi accepted that her plane is amazing yet? Didn't you say that cake was only being charged at £25? I'd charge that for the plane alone!!! ;)

The other ones were great Marvel but I agree with you the new ones are better very cute and love the colours 

AHi Kathy

Denture powder? I'd love to have seen that one! :-)

I just use Debbie Brown's recipe. I think there's more complicated ones with gelatin and whatnot, but this works for me and is easy! 345g icing sugar 2 eggs whites 2tsp gum trag/tylo

Using 280g of the sugar, add to the eggs gradually, mixing as though making ri. Sprinkle the GT/tylo over and leave, covered, for a few minutes. Turn out onto a worktop and knead the rest of the sugar in to form a dough. Keep double wrapped.

It dries fast so you need to have everything ready to go before rolling it out!

Hey Mel

I do smbc, and the recipe for an 8" cake is 3 whites 300g butter, softened but not soft 150g sugar

Put the eggs and sugar over a double boiler and mix until the sugar has dissolved. Whack it in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment until it's very thick and cool to the touch.

Add the butter bit by bit, mixing well after each addition until it's all incorporated. As soon as you start adding the butter the meringue will deflate a bit. When you as a bit more it may look like soup, don't panic keep mixing. It might well then look like it's a disgusting curdled mess, really don't panic, keep mixing. It will all come together eventually!

Add your flavouring now. If you're using vanilla you need a tbsp. I use raspberry puree for raspberry buttercream and just as until it's the flavour I want. Literally just blitzed and sieved rasps, no sugar. If you can't get puree ready done, frozen fruit is fine and loads cheaper than fresh!

I've never tried it with cartoon eggs, but I don't see why it would be a problem. The only thing I've seen about them is that they might not whip up as well as fresh, so you might not get quite the volume. Then again, they might whip up better, who knows? :-D

Forgot to say, for really smooth icing, swap to a paddle when it's all made and put it on the lowest setting for a good 5 mins. It seems to take out most of the air pockets.

A

Secateurs ;-)

You're right m4rvel, they are much better. That's only in direct comparison though, they would have been chuffed to bits with the first ones!

A

Hahah I wasn't fishing for compliments just serious critique. The wings look wonky to me. I wouldn't fly in it! Hahah!

Well maybe I'm giving too much but I guess it's all experience right?

ASo far Roxy! Kiss of death there :-D Just cheapo ones from Tesco.

AToday's monkeys are ugh better marvel, though yesterday's would have been great too. Does it not make you think what tomorrow's could look like? Haha