Competition Time!

Having returned from maternity leave I've had to think seriously about the direction I'd like the business to take and I've decided to stop making and selling the cakestands and candles etc, concentrating instead on the hire and tea party side of things. I'll be hanging onto most of my cakestands as I can use them as part of the business but I can spare this one! Especially if it can raise a lot of money for a worthy cause. Please read the rules below with details of how to enter.

Please read the "rules" below so you know exactly what to do!

1. The prize is a two tiered cake stand handmade by myself using vintage plates and is totally unique. It is easily dismantled for storage. Postage is also included in the prize bringing the total value of the prize to £26.50

2. One entry to the raffle costs £1. You may enter as many times as you like. Each entry will be allocated a number in the order they are received, and I will keep a list of names and numbers.

3. Entries can be paid for by sending via PayPal to tamsinwestbrook@gmail.com If you send it as a personal payment owed rather than the purchase of goods it shouldn't incur a big charge from them to me.

4. If you prefer, you can also send payment by cheque. Please email me tamsinwestbrook@gmail.com for the address etc.

5. The raffle will close on Saturday 2nd March at 8pm.

6. I will choose a winner by using a random number generator online, and the winners name will be announced that evening.

7. The first £50 raised will go to the charity Friends of Roshni. ROSHNI is a special school and therapy centre for children and young adults with neurological disabilities (such as cerebral palsy and learning disabilities), many living in extreme poverty, who otherwise would be deprived of education and rehabilitation services. Find out more at www.friendsofroshni.co.uk . Any money raised thereafter I will pass to my in laws Liza and Tim Westbrook who are going back to Sri Lanka in May. They spent two years there helping those less fortunate than themselves and still go back regularly to continue their support of various families and always discover more people with need.

8. There will be runners up prizes too. I will keep people updated about these via my 

Facebook page www.facebook.com/teancake

Invention Kitchen - Banana Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

Does anyone else always end up with a couple of black bananas in the fruit bowl? I hate waste and am frankly fed up of banana bread. I remembered last year when asking what peoples favourite bakes were someone mentioned peanut butter frosting. Everyone knows that bananas and peanut butter work together (that old combo of salt and sweet) so I decided to try and use up my bananas differently and test out my swanky new piping nozzle at the same time. Two birds, one stone and all that. I’m pretty pleased with the results. They look fab and taste delicious.

Ingredients:

3 ½ oz self raising flour

1tsp baking powder

½ tsp bicarb

3 oz light muscavado sugar

50 ml sunflower oil

50ml buttermilk

2 mashed up bananas

For the frosting

2oz butter

4 oz icing sugar

6 tbsp smooth peanut butter

Method:

Preheat oven at 180C or gas mark 4 and line your tin with cases (12)

In a large mixing bowl tip all the ingredients and mix well using an electric beater. Bake for about 15/20 minutes  (depending on your oven). The cakes will come out looking very brown because of the banana. They don’t look pretty yet, but wait until they’re iced!

To make the frosting just put all the ingredients bar the into a food processor and whiz till smooth. Pipe onto cakes and sprinkle on chopped peanuts or add a slice of banana if you wish, or just leave plain. They taste better if you put in the fridge for a little while before serving so the frosting can firm up a bit. By the way, the nozzle that gives that rose effect is called a Wilson 2D.