27.05

Fresh-strawberry-yoghurt-cake-with-lemon-glaze-recipe

This cake kind of came about by accident- the result of having a free couple of hours last Sunday afternoon, a pack of fresh British strawberries, and a block of pre-softened just calling out to be used. I’ve made it twice since- refining the recipe and trying it out in various tins and maybe also because it was so tasty I didn’t really need a reason. The recipe is based upon that old classic 4:4:4 (4oz flour, sugar, butter + 2 eggs + 1tsp leavener) ratio, and so with the Recipe That Launched A Thousand Victoria Sponges behind me it felt not too scary to have a little tweak and tinker, in the hope of creating something altogether more pudding-y and moist (sorry, moist-haters). The yoghurt is what does it. Three heaping tablespoons added in with the eggs and a splash of vanilla makes the crumb (Yep I’m talking about ‘crumb’, SO GBBO) more tender and a little denser than your average vanilla sponge, and the strawberries perfume the whole cake with this incredible hint-of-strawberry flavour.

Oh, and I should tell you too that this cake will come together, bake, and be out on the side cooling in less than an hour. 15 minutes to throw ingredients in a bowl and mix, 25 odd minutes in the oven, pour over the glaze, and allow to cool. Easy as pie. Or strawberry cake.

Yoghurt-strawberry-cakeStrawberry-yoghurt-cake-with-lemon-glaze-ingredientsLemon-glazeStrawberry-cake-with-lemon-glaze-2

So, here’s how to make this baby! I recommend baking it in a standard square cake/brownie tin, since it’s the sort of cake that tastes best when cut into little slabs and eaten footloose and plate-free in the garden on a sunny weekend afternoon, or standing in the kitchen post-dog walk at eleven o’clock in the morning. It also tastes best when served alongside a cup of English Breakfast tea, or perhaps a strong cafe latte. Oh, and it’ll keep in an airtight container for about 3 days…if it lasts that long.

Ingredients:
6oz/170g softened unsalted butter
6oz/170g caster sugar
6oz/170g plain flour
1 + 1/2 tsp baking powder
3 large eggs
3 tbsp plain natural yoghurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
150g hulled and quartered British strawberries
1 lemon
Approx. 150g icing sugar

- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius, and butter and line a square cake tin. I lined the base only, and found that greasing the sides was sufficient in helping the cake now to stick.

- Place the butter and sugar into a large bowl, and beat until light and fluffy. Whisk together the eggs, natural yoghurt and vanilla extract in a jug, and sift the flour and baking powder into a separate bowl.

- Add half the egg mixture to the butter and sugar then beat to combine, and then add in half the flour and beat again. Repeat until all the ingredients are combined, and beat until the batter is smooth and light. Don’t beat for more than a minute or two, so as not to overwork the mix.

- Stir in the quartered strawberries by hand, then pour the batter into the greased and lined cake tin. Smooth over with a palette knife, and then place in the centre of the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes. (Mine took exactly 22 minutes, last time round)

- Whilst the cake is baking, squeeze the juice of a lemon into a bowl and stir in sifted icing sugar until the glaze reaches the consistency of double cream. Use a cocktail stick/skewer/dry strand of spaghetti to poke holes in the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven, and immediately pour over the glaze. Allow to cool for 20 minutes or so before removing from the tin.

- If you’d like feel free to add a second layer of glaze (using the juice of a second lemon and more icing sugar) if you prefer a sweeter finish. Just don’t make the mistake of dusting it with icing sugar! It ruins the beautiful crackly glaze on your cake and all the photos you’re trying to take of it quicker than you can imagine, and you’ll wind up sitting on your living room floor with a sieve in one hand and a sticky camera in the other, and a hopelessly tragic expression on your face. Or something like that, anyway…

Strawberry-yoghurt-cake-with-lemon-glazeStrawberry-yoghurt-cake-with-lemon-glaze-5Strawberry-yoghurt-cake-with-lemon-glaze-3Strawberry-yoghurt-cake-with-lemon-glaze-and-tea

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Posted in CAKE, FROM MY HOME TO YOURS, RECIPE

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26.05

 

Paper-wrapped-blooms** Photo found via Pinterest, originally from Remain Simple.

Happy Bank Holiday Monday to you! Is there any happier Monday in existence than a Bank Holiday one? I’m not sure there is! Today, I’m so excited to share with you the blogs and bloggers who’ve been linked in my sidebar all this month. They truly are a wonderfully talented and inspiring bunch! There are some that I love to read because it feels as though I’m being invited right into their living room and being welcomed with a cup of tea and a story, others I love to visit for their beautiful photography, and some that inspire my own creativity here on Cider with Rosie. They’re all unique and beautiful in their own way, and I can’t recommend highly enough that you to take a moment to click through to each one and get to know them a little better. Happy reading!


Daydream in Blue

Tom’s blog has become an absolute favourite read of mine over the past few months. It’s a lifestyle one- featuring posts about recent inspiration, home decor posts (Tom has uh-mazing style!) product reviews, and beautiful photos from Tom’s recent adventures. Daydream in Blue has a really sleek, distinctive style, and I love Tom’s Pinterest round ups especially. (We share a mutual love for minimalist home decor & an inspirational quotes written in bold fonts ;) I can’t recommend strongly enough you go and add Daydream in Blue to your reading list! I know you’re going to just love it!
Favourite post of the past month? Jazzing up an old crate with Outspiration (because that is the cutest DIY I ever did see, and I want to try it myself!)

Life is Worth the Fight
Stacie’s blog has been a great read this month. I love that when I read her posts, I’m getting a true insight into Stacie’s feelings and though-processes, getting a taste of her daily frustrations and challenges. She writes so candidly, and I’d challenge anyone to walk away from reading her blog and not feel at once in awe and inspired by Stacie’s courage and tenacity. Aside from sharing her thoughts on Life is Worth the Fight this month, Stacie’s also done a little shopping, and shared a review of The Fault in Our Stars! All in all, just such a great read.
Favourite post of the past month?
An awfully big adventure? (because it made me cry, and once again feel in awe of Stacie’s honesty and courage)

The Peppermint Pencil
Anya’s blog was a new one to me this month, and one that I followed on Bloglovin’ approximately 3.2 seconds after clicking on it for the very first time. It’s absolutely perfect! It’s full of gorgeous photographs (and I mean *seriously* gorgeous!), well-written posts, gluten-free recipes (I’m always keen to find great new ones!)- and heck, even the design itself is lovely! I’m preeeettty certain you’re about to add a new blog to your ‘favourite daily reads’ list- I know I have!
Favourite post of the past month? Unearthed Exhibition (because Anya is not only a talented blogger, but an amazing artist too! How lush are those prints?!)

Dainty Hummingbird
It’s always a pleasure to have Vivi’s lovely blog linked in my sidebar! It’s such a beautiful one- from the photography, to the design (even Vivi’s text font is perfect!) to the content itself- it’s all just lovely! Dainty Hummingbird features a mix of posts, some fashion, some beauty, some lifestyle (coffees & great food & day trips & travel), and all beautifully written and presented. An all-round great read, and one that I highly recommend adding to your reading list!
Favourite post of the past month? Insta-life (because Vivi’s Instagram feed is to die for, just you wait and see!)

Daydreams of Summertime
There’s something beautifully serene about Sarah’s posts. I’m not sure if it’s the dreamy design, or gorgeous photographs, or the lovely tone of Sarah’s writing- but I find it all such a calm and happy-making combination! This month there’ve been some stunning photographs on Daydreams of Summertime, and my absolute favourites are those taken during Sarah’s trip to Robin’s Bay in North Yorkshire. They’re just beautiful, wait till you see them!
Favourite post of the past month? out and about: robin’s hood bay (because any post that includes photos of dalmations AND foam bananas- best sweets ever- is a winner in my book!)

Pink Confetti
Nicola’s blog is such a fun one! It’s a lovely lifestyle blog (the type I find myself returning to again and again!) full of posts about recent adventures (like trips to Wimbledon!) restaurant reviews (only the best man and cheese restaurant ever!?) and my favourite of favourites- happy lists! If you like a lovely variety of posts from a blog (and I definitely do!)- then Pink Confetti is one to read! Oh and also, the name appeals to me so much right now. Weddings on the brain, and all ;)
Favourite post of the past month? Restaurant Review: When Mac Met Cheese (because I haven’t eaten a bowl of pasta for at least six months, and didn’t have a single craving for it until reading this post…)

Channeling Audrey
Channeling Audrey has been another new one to me this month, and another that I’ve loved getting acquainted with! Liz is originally from the US, but now lives with her New Zealander-husband in the United Arab Emirates! Phewph! On her blog she shares snippets from her daily life, recipes (those falafel!), the sweetest DIY tutorials, and even book recommendations too! I especially love her posts that share a little of what’s it’s like to live in the UAE, with its customs and traditions and culture that are all so foreign to me. Truly a great read!
Favourite post of the past month? Homemade Falafel (because they look *so* delicious, don’t they?)

Erstwhile Felicity
Sonia’s blog is a dream. Her photography and styling are some of my favourite amongst all the blogs I read, and I love the simplicity of her posts. She captures beauty like no other blogger I know, and I admire her ability to make the smallest of moments or the most seemly insignificant of object really *sing*, through her photographs and words. It’s hard to sum up in words how beautiful a blog Erstwhile Felicity it, so I’ll just say that you really *must* give it a read…:)
Favourite post of the past month? Something olive (because it demonstrates what I was trying to articulate above, about Sonia taking something small and making it oh so beautiful)

Made up of Little Things
I’m pretty excited for Rachael right now, because she just became the proud owner of a new baby! Not a real one…but a DSLR-shaped baby! ;) And let me tell you, if there ever was a baby (a real one this time) who deserved to be photographed in 18 megapixels, it’s Rachael’s little man Forrest. I mean, have you seen that little dude? He’s the cutest! Rachael’s blog has been a favourite read of mine almost ever since I started my own blog, and I just can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re not already following along, then why on earth not?! ;)
Favourite post of the past month? The woods are lovely, dark and deep… (because Rach’s labradors are so gorgeous, and I like to think they and Teddy would be great friends if they ever got chance to meet)

From Lucy With Love
Oh, Lucy’s blog is such a lovely one! It was new to me this month, and I’ve so enjoyed getting to know it! Lucy shares posts about her lovely life (the post linked below in particular made me all smooshy and happy!), beauty product reviews, happy lists (hooray!) and home inspiration posts. Lucy writes in the most charming, friendly way, and makes you feel as though she’s talking directly to you through her posts. And that is without a doubt one of my absolutely favourite characteristic of a blog, and one that’s sure to draw me back in time and again.
Favourite post of the past month? Love happens (because what can I say- love just makes me happy!)

Cocktails and Caroline
Cocktails and Caroline is such a fun read! I’m always excited to see what Caroline’s been up to lately whenever I click through to it- she just seems to have the greatest adventures! This past month Caroline’s been sharing photos from her trip to sample some of the prettiest macarons, drank a *really* great Bloody Mary, and her photos of a glorious tapas meal eaten in St Katherine’s Docks are the number 1 reason I bought a pack of chorizo whilst shopping yesterday. Oh, and Cocktails and Caroline hit 1000 followers on Bloglovin’ this month! So well deserved!
Favourite post of the past month? Magnificent Macarons at Anges Sucres (because it’s a post full of photos of macarons- what’s not to love?!)

More wonderful blogs to add to your reading list! ::
LouLou in Paris
Betty Button Pie
Penchanting
Uncia + Tigris
Sweet Serendipity

If you’d like to see your own blog featured here on Cider with Rosie, click through to the Sponsor page and take up an advert! It’d be lovely to have you! And don’t forget, after your first month of advertising, you can take 15% off all further advertising packages! :) Hooray!

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23.05

Tea+blankets

Oh, this week. The muggy weather’s really done a number on me! I’ve been like a sloth for about five days now. All head-foggy and unmotivated and drained. Angie on Twitter said that apparently muggy weather drains oxygen from the atmosphere, which is what causes us to feel lethargic when the weather’s that way. Who knew?! This week has been a tiring one though, aside from weather-induced lethargy. Jason’s been having to work double time at work so I’ve had Teddy every day this week, which has meant a LOT of walking and tired legs. Enough with the complaining though! That’s not what these posts are about! There’s also been a load of lovely things about this week, and here’s a little list of a few of them…

1. Eating tomatoes whole like apples, sprinkled with a little flakey sea salt between each bite. My favourite.

2. Espresso, drunk strong with just a little sugar right after breakfast.

3. Getting stronger. For the first time ever in my whole life I can do full press-ups, not just half ones!

4. Monday’s walk round the lake in the sunshine, followed by a little paddle in the water. I’d forgotten how much I love dipping my feet in the lake during spring and summer. It’s the most refreshing way to end a walk.

5. Knitting in the evenings. It’s so peaceful and stops me being glued to my phone, which is never a bad thing.

6. Thursday’s lunchtime thunder storm. (And the fact that we made it in from our morning walk just as the heavy rain started. Nothing makes me happier than missing the rain!)

7. Watching the baby robins flutter around our garden, looking so silly with their tufts of baby feather sticking up all over the place. They really are the cutest.

8. The smell of suntan lotion on my skin.

9. Getting into a bed made up with fresh bedlinen.

10. The potato wedges Jason made for dinner the night before last. He has absolutely zero interest in cooking, but my goodness can that man work magic with a potato. Honestly, I’ve never tasted better. He’s got crazy skills, I tell you.

Three posts I’ve loved reading this week :: Lisette’s lovely granola recipe || Sydney’s beautiful words about preparing her boy to go from being ‘only’ to ‘oldest’ || and Joy’s launch of her new book! (Don’t those waffle sandwiches look to *die* for?)

What’s made you happy this week? :)

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Posted in 10 THINGS, HAPPINESS

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22.05

teddy-chasing-robins

Right now I’m drinking a cup of tea in the garden to calm myself down. I just got back from the church, and *might* have just got a date pinned down for our wedding. Forms were handed in, paperwork was checked, dates were assessed. Yeeesh. It’s the strangest feeling, thinking that if we can pull this all together- if the venue come back to us with a sensible quote and can book us in over the weekend we’ve pencilled in with the church- then it’ll mean that Jason and I will have just set the date that we’ll celebrate every year for the rest of our lives. Yikes. I’m all a-flutter. I didn’t really intend to write a post, but this just feels like one of those days I might look back on in a couple of years time and think ‘I’m glad I documented those feelings’. I got a bit emotional when I spoke to Jason after I was finished at the church. Booking in dates and places and getting to know the vicar who’ll marry us makes everything feel so real! Oh and also, we’re now at T-minus 2 days until my first wedding dress fitting. My Mum’s already warned me that she’s going to cry ;)

So, what else is there to catch up on? Right now I’m outside in the back garden, and there’s a robin sitting on the fence chitting angrily and Teddy and I, because its fledgling babies are leaving the nest today and Ted just chased one of them into a corner of our garden. Much shouting happened, and Teddy was very excited by the prospect of having a new ‘toy’. I have been considering going back inside the house because the robin on the fence is so cross with us both, but do I really want to be someone who can be intimidated out of their own garden by a bird? No. I do not. UPDATE:: Teddy just disturbed three fledglings who were hiding behind the hydrangea, and all hell broke loose. One flew into the living room window, another flew *into* the living room itself and I had to get it out from behind the telly by waving a tripod at it. Then it chilled out on our sofa for a bit, before allowing me to shoo it out of the room with a blanket. I don’t even know what’s going on with today.

Other stuff about this weird old Wednesday ::
- I blew bubbles in my iced latte this morning. I wasn’t ever allowed to do it when I was young, so I did it today as a 23 year old woman, and it was pretty fun.

- Pilates is tonight. Already aching from yesterday’s workout. Not sure how this is going to work out. But it means that I’ll be out of the house during dinner-cooking-time which means Jason will make his legendary super oily + salty potatoes for dinner, so at least I’ll have something great to come home to when I’m exhausted and sore…

- Jason and I ran out of toothpaste the night before last, so we went on a late night mini-road trip to buy some. We couldn’t find any at all in any of the open garages and shops near us, but we did buy some sweets instead. Sensible decision making right there.

- Can’t get off Pinterest lately, and have been lusting over white-walled bedrooms so now am trying to convince Jason that we should repaint our bedroom white. I know I know, we only just finished decorating in there. My Mum always says that all my Grandma and Grandpa ever did was decorate, so I guess I take after them both…

And that’s the lot for today. It feels as though I haven’t just rambled here in such a long time! I kind of enjoyed it! Hope you kind of enjoy it, too ;)

p.s. Photo of Teddy in high-alert robin-watching mode. Note the amount of junk stuck to the feathers on his legs. That dog’s made of velcro, I swear…

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18 Comments
Posted in A SNAPSHOT, LIFE LATELY

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