Blackberry and Apple Cake

As I have been so rubbish with my blog just recently, I thought I would apologize and share this fabulous cake with you.  We have made it a couple of times this year, and love the fact that we can go collecting blackberries before we make it!  It is a BBC Good Food recipe and I tried to find a link for it but was unable to so I took a photo from the booklet.  

So, get your wellies on (you will need them), and get yourselves out there before the blackberries disappear!

Yum yum!

Camping in Upper Nidderdale

This weekend we seized the opportunity to spend a couple of days camping in Lofthouse, just outside of Harrogate, North Yorkshire (in the middle of nowhere!).  Thursday had been a glorious day for us, so we were hoping for similar weather.  A last attempt at summer!!!  Ha ha... as you can see when we got there the skies were pretty dramatic, and we expected rain...

... but as the day went on, there were bursts of light...

... and by the evening, beautiful blue skies.

We decided on Friday that we would do the 'Explore, Discover and Learn Trail' at the campsite we were stopping at.  This gave us the opportunity to have a stroll, soak in the beautiful surroundings and also gave the children an activity to keep them busy, with things to find and learn.  It was really good fun, and the children loved it.  These are some of the things we saw...

... before heading back to the camper van for a piece of Plum cake The Fairy had made with me the day before.

In the evening we walked across the field to the village pub (which only opened at 7pm!!) for some tea, played dominoes and then walked back in the dark with torches.  The children thought it was fantastic!!

Saturday was miserable, but we braved it in the morning and had a drive to Scarhouse Reservoir to have a look.  

We had a walk across the bridge at the end of the reservoir. 

The view from the bridge over the valley.

Sure signs that autumn is around the corner!

Fabulous Fungi!

Baby birds in the toilet block...terrible picture I know but the lighter
specks in the nest are their beaks!

 

Oh, and Kiki came.  Kiki is the Clothkits doll the Fairy has made over the
summer... more about Kiki to come at a later date!

We had a fantastic time and I am looking forward to going back and doing some more exploring.  The campsite was perfect for the children...lots to see and do, and plenty of room for them to ride their bikes. Can't wait for our next camping trip!!!

Another cake for the weekend - Lemon Drizzle Cake

This is a very understated cake with serious mmmmmm factor!!!!  It's made even better by the fact that it is so simple to make!

It takes about an hour to make enough for 20 pieces, and is perfect for family picnics, camping trips etc. as it is so easy to transport.

175g/6oz softened butter

250g/9oz self-raising flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

250g/9oz caster sugar

3 large eggs

9 tbsp milk

finely grated zest of 1 large lemon

For the icing:

Juice of 1 lemon

100g/4oz  caster sugar

1.  Heat the oven to 180°/160°fan/gas mark 4.

2. Butter and line the base of a cake tin measuring 22x28cm with greaseproof paper.

3.  Put all the cake ingredients into a large mixing bowl and beat together  for 2-3 mins until the mixture drops easily off the spoon.

4.  Spoon the mixture into the prepared cake tin, and smooth.  Bake in the oven for 35-45mins until golden and firm*.

5.  To make the icing, beat the sugar and lemon juice to a paste.  Spoon this over the cake as evenly as possible whilst the cake is still hot, then leave to cool in the cake tin.  Cut into 20 pieces.

This cake keeps well wrapped in foil.  It can also be frozen.

*You can test that a cake is ready by using a sharp knife of skewer.  Insert into the centre of the cake.  If it is clean when you take it out, the cake is ready.  If not leave for 5mins before testing again.  If you feel the cake is getting too brown you can put a piece of kitchen foil loosely over the top.

Happy baking.  I am sure that this will become a family favourite!

N.B The lovely tea towel you can see in the image is a new product that will be available to buy very soon, along with the pinnies and other goodies in my shop.

You can find more delicious recipes here.