Latest Posts

Bake It So...

MandyM — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:23:32 +0000

Yes, I'm a Star Trek dabbler. Yes, I made cupcakes to celebrate the latest movie, "Into Darkness". Yes, they are delicious. And yes, you can eat the badges.

Almond silver white cake topped with white chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream replete with all the goodness of Trekkiness (is that a word?)

So all these cupcakes have to say is, eat me up, Scotty!

Made With Love...

MandyM — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 02:27:57 +0000

Whether you're a mushy gushy romantic or not, you'll love ravioli filled with sweet ricotta and tangy sundried tomatoes with a hint of parmesan and fresh basil sitting happily in a rich white wine cream sauce. So will your other half!

To up the cheese factor, I made these pink and heart shaped (the twee is optional!) for Valentine's day.

Follow this link for more

The End...

MandyM — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 16:55:00 +0000

... and beginning!

May your ovens be hot, your floor covered in flour and your spoons always ready for stirring this new year.

Wishing you a wonderful 2013 and happy baking :D

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

MandyM — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:12:52 +0000

But my mom-in-law wouldn't be too happy with that! Not that she's against snow, just not happy about the idea of freezing her toes off while they're visiting us from sunny South Africa.

Snow or no snow, I love Christmas. And I certainly love spreading festive cheer, especially if I can spread it with baked yumminess!

I've made my first official Mandy Bakes video for you to enjoy. Learn how to pipe cute frosting Christmas trees by following this link

And if you want a cupcake to go with that? Why not try these moist and deliciously spiced orange drizzle cupcakes.

Follow this link to cupcake goodness

Banana + Pecan + Cinnamon = Amazing Muffins

MandyM — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 23:56:41 +0000

Give those sad looking bananas a proper send off by using them to make these delicious banana pecan muffins. Topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel, these are a great way to start the day or fill a hole between meals.

These are super quick and easy to make and one of my favourite recipes.

Follow this link for the recipe

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For... Frozen Yoghurt?

MandyM — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 09:41:15 +0000

I was sent a few tubs of the new "Pure Original" yoghurt range from Glenisk. Organic, no preservatives and completely free from added sugar.

Follow this link to see what I thought of this new yoghurt range.

A Retro Recipe

MandyM — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:45:32 +0000

I have a soft spot for what I call Retro Recipes. These are recipes used by the Tupperware Generation that I remember while growing up.

This gingerbread loaf recipe is definitely something I remember as a kid. It was (and may still be) my dad's favourite, next to banana bread.

Warming and fragrant with ginger, a little chewy and amazing still warm out the oven with a good smearing of butter, all washed down with a cold glass of milk, it certainly brings back memories!

I'm taking on the mission of updating or putting a twist on such Retro Recipes, sometimes an overhaul, sometimes just a tweak. In this case, only a tweak.

I've also paired this delicious quickbread with Orange & Honey Cream Cheese Spread, cooling and complimenting to the warmth and depth of gingerbread.

Follow this link to the full recipe

The End of Another Year

MandyM — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:04:35 +0000

It's the last week of 2011 and what a busy year it's been!

I'd hoped to post more regularly, but alas, with the business of work and life, I didn't. I'm not going to promise that my recipe output will be ten fold in 2012, but I will say that I hope that you still enjoy reading about my baking antics for another year. Hopefully a little bit more of a relaxed year, I think we all deserve a break!

Strawberry Daiquiri cupcakes with a difference

So to bring in the new year, I hope you enjoy spiking some cupcakes with real boozey jelly shots, what I think is a completely new twist on the cocktail themed cupcake. Make strawberry daiquiri, flirtini, cosmopolitan or any other of your favourite cocktails in cupcake form.

Bottom's up and I hope you have a wonderful 2012.

Follow link for the recipe

Flirtini cupcake spiked with a pineapple, vodka and Cointreau jelly shot

Ready for Dessert?

MandyM — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Actually, just Ready for Dessert.

I have David Lebovitz's new book on my shelf. Filled with cakes, desserts, ice-creams, sauces, preserves and much more, Ready for Dessert is a mix of recipes now tweaked and adjusted from his previous recipe books as well as new recipes that are David's tried and trusted (and favourite!).

It's well worth a spot on your bookshelf, and luckily I have one copy to give away.

If you want to stand the chance of winning yourself Ready for Dessert, read my review on this fantastic new book.

Follow this link to the review and giveaway

Fantastic Fast Food...

MandyM — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:35:12 +0000

... and I'm not talking about greasy mass produced fast food. This is fast food at home.

Burgers take about 20mins to make from beginning to end, and home made, they taste way better than any fast food burger!

Juicy beef pattie, tasty toppings, soft roll, what's not to love about a hamburger?

Click for full recipe