Friday, 15 March 2013

Breaking the fast with this delicious Easter challenge


With Easter just two weeks away I know we all have two things on our mind; holiday and sweets. Since this will be my first Easter on this side of the pond I figured I would attempt to make at British Easter Classic, the hot cross bun. Mind you, I have never made or even eaten a hot cross bun. Since I have absolutely no idea what I am doing I figure I'll head to one of my favourite food blogs, Foodgawker, and look up a recipe.

Okay so I know I JUST said I was going for the whole traditional British thing, but look at these...



Chocolate chip hot cross buns. I'm sold. Here is the recipe: 


CHOCOLATE CHIP HOT CROSS BUNS
Adapted from Not Quite Nigella.
For the buns
3 sachets instant dry yeast (21g, 3/4 oz) 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk 4 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tsp salt 50g unsalted butter, melted 1 egg, lightly beaten 2 1/2 cups chocolate chunks or chips
For the glaze
1/4 cup sugar 3 tbsp hot water
For the crosses
60g white chocolate (2 oz) 

looks like I'll be making a trip to Waitrose after work.

Here is another picture to get your mouth watering...




So seeing as I have never even tried a hot cross bun I figured that it is only fair if I let Vincenzo be the judge of how they turned out, but shhh! don't tell him because I am doing to make it a surprise.

Now let's see if mine come out anything like the pictures. 

Stay posted to see the results!


P.S. Write us a post and let us know what you will be making this Easter holiday! 


Thursday, 7 March 2013

Hello from Family Cakes new intern


Hello Everyone!

My name is Jill Lavoie and I am the new intern at Family Cakes Company! I arrived in London for the first time in early January and since then I have been taking classes and exploring the city.  Back in the States I live and study in Washington D.C. where I am a junior at American University, studying Public Relations. This is my first week in my internship with Family Cakes and I am very excited to be here!

On my first day I arrived a little after 8:00 and the office was already buzzing with activity.  I was greeted by Dan and introduced to the rest of the guys.  No sooner was I settled at my desk that Vincenzo the eccentric italian, was at the door and speaking in fast broken english, I looked around for the boss before realize that me was talking to me!  I could tell right away that I would like the fast paced and friendly environment.

Although this is only my second day have already been able to work on a couple different projects ranging from product pricing, brochure layout, and helped organize a very disorganized Daniel.  Not to mention I've gotten to try some of the goods! Today Vincenzo came in and asked me to pick a cake to bring home.  Being a girl Chocolate is close to my heart so I went with the chocolate mouse.

What is family cakes to me? Is it constantly Dan disappearing (and always just in time for the whole office to come knocking at the door)? Lundy running franticly back and forth from the kitchen?  Is it crazy Italians yelling at one another over icing? Maybe its all of it.  

I expect to help with a bit of everything here at Family Cakes.  I will work to expand on their already existing social media, help with web design for their companion company Cook Sisters, and complete orders.  I also look forward to taking on any other new projects and challenges. I am excited to spend the next two months here at Family Cakes, helping them as they grow!

I’m sure you will be hearing from me again soon but for now I am going to get back to work and dream of that Chocolate Mouse cake I am going to be eating later!

Jill Before Chocolate Cake                                     Jill After Chocolate Cake                                             

Monday, 18 February 2013

New Web Site for the FCC!


Yes that's right after much debate; laughing; crying ;screaming and well just having fun, our new web site is now ALIVE!! ALIVE I tell you!!

One of Dans creations made earlier!




One man very crazy with a few very sane spectators watched as Igor ( AKA Aly)  and myself unwrapped our creation. Then it was raised to the sky whilst the lightning flashed and thunder roared.

Bolts of electricity charged through its veins and the result is the new FCC web site. We have a film of its creation for you to view  with a little artistic license if course.




            Click on the link underneath Frankenstein and  Enjoy!!




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qNeGSJaQ9Q&list=PLE7D31BBA24A6F75D

and if you would like to see the new site click

www.familycakes.co.uk