#vanilla madeira cake

[tensai-akage]

Desserts Recipe

Similar to a pound cake, this is a traditional English sponge cake. Top with a citrus glaze or sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.

[mandelleieschelde]

Vanilla Madeira Cake Similar to a pound cake, this is a traditional English sponge cake. Top with a citrus glaze or sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving. 1.75 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup butter softened, 3/4 cup white sugar, 2.5 teaspoons vanilla extract, 3 eggs, 1.5 teaspoons baking powder

[rude42]

Vanilla Madeira Cake This is a classic English sponge cake that resembles pound cake. Before serving, top with a citrus glaze or sprinkling of confectioners' sugar.

[zalia]

The Witness seeks the Final Cake!

(Madeira cake with vanilla/almond/apple crumble buttercream, roll out icing, sprinkles, lustre dust, and edible glitter.)

[odukora-lore]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

✧ OC MASTERLIST ✧

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

↓

Genesis Era

The Goddesses

✧ Revontulet

❀ Borealis

Before the Fall

🕯️ Lightcatcher

💎 Elouise

Rulers of Cloud Cliffs

🌧️ Lufiere Hyetal Seraph

⚡ Raiko "Kaori" Fragor

Royal Assistants

-Halo

-Murk

The Guardian Guild

🪐 Airiwn Fylios

🏔️ Kimoru Serenity

☕ Dusleth Nocturne

🍰 Rurene Pekoe

💐 Meraki Amaranth

🍄 Kahdeina Luster

Former Keepers of the Empyrean

-Azimuth/Aerolite (Marzipan)

-Cliff (Zingiber)

- - - - - - -

Medieval Era

[Swan Feather]

🌨️ Heron Solstice

🗡️ Dulcet Plumehart / 🍊 Tangelo "Tangerine" Yuzu

-Lychee Kasturi

-Gyoza Enoki

-Jay Warren

-Cayenne Cassia

-Marimo

-Falene Sonnet

-Anise Azolla

-Pomelo Yuzu

-Hyacinth

-Bonsai

The Last Monarchs

🌕 Gandoline Lunaris

🦋 Mariposa Solstice

Ancestors of Elwood

-Rogue

-Aurrea

- - - - - - -

War Era

[Sundowner]

-Budgie

-Enoki

-Lentil

-Puddles

-Daffodil

-Carvin

-Keybolt

-Pretzel

- - - - - - -

Modern Era

[The Eternal: Fallout]

🌻 Helio Gaharu

🌷 Jingle Tinsel

🪶 Truffle Elnath

🌙 Sereina Skyscape

🍀 Clover Rowan

🌿 Lyrin Tinsel

🌲 Juniper Penzai

☄️ Pepper Flint

🌼 Mallow Cassia

🌟 Orion “Rigel” Skyscape

🪵 Oak Elwood

🍃 Birch Elwood

🔮 Etamyal / 🕯️ Atcher Lucerne

💫 Asteria Polaris/ 🪷 Eureka Elnath

👑 Eridani/Cygnus Polaris

🧊 Conifer Penzai

🍁 Maple Elwood

🍂 Red Elwood

🌳 Cedar Elwood

🍯 Chamomile Cassia

-Harper Tinsel

-Marmalade

-Crimson

Team Pets

🍬 Toffee

🥖 Churro

---

[Paradigm of Empyrean]

☁️ Cinnamon Swirl

🪴 Bramble Carver

🌖 Nyxium Lunaris

🗻 Aaron Reneirre

🔖 Reese Dominique

🌀 Zephyr Whirlwind

🌸 Whisper Himiko/Lullaby Larkspur

🌋 Topaz “Shade” Reneirre

🌒 Mythical Lunaris

🌾 Peachi Fernweh

📜 Aspen Elwood

🌹 Ashling Crimson/Hawthorn Oblivion

🌱 Aichi Fylios Serenity

🌺 Amber Reneirre

🪨 Slate Brickedge

🪽 Feather Brooke

🍒 Cherry Parfait

Team Pets

🖍️ Crayon

---

[Where Time Meets Destiny]

🫐 Sparklyn Neptune Dreams

🍪 Koru Choco Pudding

🍈 Honeydew Droplet Springs

☀️ Horizon Dusk Skies

🧁 Macaroon Chiffon Cake

❄️ Winter Southwest Snow

🍮 Caramel Flairne Ryunashi

🌰 Gingersnap Ralfie Breeze

-Ace

-Carrots

-Snowball

-Snowdrop

-Shamrock

-Slither

-Marigold Dawn Skies

-Daisy Dawn Skies

-Simnel Chiffon

-Suzette

-Madeira

-Archer

-Estrella "Star"

- - -

[Cupid's Serenade]

🎀 Angie "Cupid"

🎵 Azalea "Siren"

-Whitney

-Erina

-Berry

- - -

[Cabbage Peak]

-Zest

-Basil

-Mace

- - -

[Weather Headquarters]

-Snowfall

-Sunshine

-Raindrop

-Windbreeze

-Cloudskies

-Thunderstorm

-Lightstrike

-Moondust

-Aeris

- - - - - -

Future Era

[The Sun is a Star]

🫧 Marble Meredith

✨ Skylar Altair

-Soleil Altair

🚀 Cirrus

⚙️ Periwinkle "Vinca"

-Crocus

[Tales of Iridescence]

🫐 Sparklyn Neptune

☘️ Arctic "Bonbon" Marlowe

🐾 Gale Luscinia

🍨 Vanilla Sundae

🌑 Shadow Lune

- Wisp “Auster” Chronos

- - - - - - -

[ Misc ]

Liru's Explorers of the East

-Drake Verano

-Matthew Agaros

-Nemui Kou

-Heather Aki

-Gray Brickedge

-Solar Bituin

-Thunder Raiden

-Faye Miyako

-Elaine Trinidad

-Echo Chronos

-Lukas Eunil

-Celine Meowth

-Katsuri

-Bluebell

The Youngsters

-Tirami Tinsel

-Jayde Penzai

-Parsley Flint

-Dahlia Gaharu

-Autumn Skyscape Elwood

-Melody

-Creampuff

-Crystal

-Beatrice

-Hope Miraclella

-Fauna Lavendery

-Meadow Juniper

-Dreamy Cottontail

-Penelope Blossom

-Amber Crystalline

[cookierunkingdomoffical]

Baby, puppy, pale fur with a pink tongue and red strawberry ears

Birthday Cake, fresh-baked, white fur with rainbow sprinkles

Coffee Cake, elder, brown fur

Sponge Cake, puppy, no fur with golden dough

Ice Cream Cake, elder, white fur with choco dough and a white ice cream layer

Upside Down Cake, adult, pineapple and cherry fur

Prince Cake, adolescent, rich white fur sprinkled with brown sugar

Pound Cake, senior, velvety soft golden-brown fur

Angel Cake, young adult, powdery squishy dough

Funfetti Cake, adolescent, beige with flecks of rainbow

Black Forest Cake, elder, wooly brown fur with piped frosting and cherries on its head

Tompunce Cake, adult, hearty peach colored dough topped with a layer of fudgy pink fur

Dirt Cake, fresh-baked, course brown and black fur with gummy worms spread out around its body

Battenberg Cake, young adult, pink and light yellow checkered fur with Almond paste on its head

Madeira Cake, puppy, no fur with powder on top

Kuih lapis Cake, elder, multicolored (green, white, and pink) bouncy fur similar to pudding

King Cake, elder, coffee-colored fur with bursts of purple, green, and yellow sugar sprinkles

Banana Cake, adolescent, yellow tufted fur with greenish accented tips

Layered rainbow Cake, adult, colorful shaggy fur with sprinkles and a white icing crust

FruitCake, senior, fawn, thin cream fur with amorphous colorful dots

Marble Cake, elder, curly marbled biscuit and chocolate colored fur

Hummingbird Cake, senior, airy white fur topped with pecans and colorful flowers

Dump Cake, young adult, fuzzy lemony and raspberry fur with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on its head

Bundt Cake, fresh-baked, dark brown velvety fur with white gluey stripes

Genoise Cake, young adult, plush beige fur with fluffy white icing, topped with a familiar plushy beige color and various red fruits like strawberries and cherries

Spice Cake, adult, sleek sepia fur with thick speckled fluffy cream on its top

Yellow butter Cake, adolescent, coarse brown and yellow checkered fur

Mud Cake, senior, shiny silky brown coat

Tea Cake, elder, furless body with grainy skin

Crumble Cake, puppy, barely visible yellow fur with pebbly cinnamon crumbs strewn around its body

Rock Cake, senior, bumpy matted coat with transparent sprinkles and raisins nestled inside its fur

Yogurt Cake, elder, creamy purple fur with a spoon tucked into it

Cherry Vanilla Cake, young adult, red speckled white fur with cherries on top

Cookie Dough Cake, adult, taffy brown smooth fur with chunks of cookie dough scattered around

Butter Pecan Cake, senior, off-white flaky fur topped with chunks of sliced pecans

Rocky Road Cake, adolescent, chunky brown fur with chopped almonds and marshmallows nestled into its fluff

Apple crisp Cake, young adult, gritty brown and red coat with bits of yellow squishy apple nestled into its fur

Orange bar Cake, senior, smooth fur with orange square patterns on top

Banana cream Cake, adolescent, creamy yellow fur topped with whipped cream and sliced bananas

Mango mochi Cake, elder, cold white fur amidst hints of orange and yellow

Cherry Cobbler Cake, young adult, marbled beige, red and brown fur coupled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

Falooda Cake, young adult, satiny pink fur with white bubbles and strawberries on top

Rice Cake, elder, grainy white fur

Kakigori Cake, senior, lumpy green fur with sweet red bean fur clumped up on its head

Mint tea Cake, puppy, translucent brown fur topped with mint leaves and a few flecks of tea leaves

Mango pudding Cake, adult, creamy white fur amidst white frosting dripping off of its head

Furin Cake, puppy, light fur with a furin wind chime planted on its head like a bucket hat.

Dragonfly Cake, elder, blue and green scaly fur with two lustrous wings on its back

Paint Cake, adolescent, splotchy multicolored fur that drips paint every step it takes

Worm Cake, senior, hairless Cake with bumpy pink skin

Fizzy Ferment Cake, adult, fizzy golden brown fur that's cold to the touch

Bookworm Cake, elder, desaturated brown fur with a book gently draped onto its head

Stir Fry Cake, puppy, brownish-greenish fur completely covered in rice, vegetables and meat jellies

Pasta Salad Cake, adult, off-white fur topped with lettuce, pasta, and walnuts

Grilled Cheese Cake, adolescent, squishy brown and droopy golden coat

Scrambled Egg Cake, puppy, bumpy yellow fur that looks as if it would fall off of its body if it ran too fast.

Fish Cake, puppy, scaly fur with a tail

Turtle Cake, adolescent, green shell placed on back, covering up the fur on its body

Seahorse Cake, young adult, bumpy, desaturated sandy fur

Copepod Cake, adult, liquidy, see-through illuminated fur with antennae

Beta Cake, senior, Smooth vibrant blue fur with frilly fins that constantly wave to its sides. It also has a fishy tail.

Pumpkin pie Cake, puppy, orange fluffy fur

Apple pie Cake, puppy, red orange fur with yellow specs

Candy corn Cake, puppy, orange, yellow and white striped fur

Rock candy Cake, adolescent, hard multicolored fur resembling rock candy

Torte Cake, adolescent, bumpy soft white and pink fur with crushed nuts on top

Profiterole Cake, adolescent, matted choco brown and white fur, wearing a flower shaped cookie as a hat

Herrencreme Cake, fresh-baked, warm creamy fur gently decorated with crushed chocolate bars and a single strawberry on top

Phyllo Cake, fresh-baked, lion-like mane with a black head and small red berries on top

Thapthim Krop Cake, fresh-baked, bumpy red fur coated in thin cream

Caramel tart Cake, young adult, light beige fur powdered with brown sugar

Bubblegum Cake, young adult, pink fizzy fur

Clementine Cake, young adult, rough orange fur

Popsicle Cake, adult, long body with multicolored glistening fur

Panna cotta Cake, adult, wiggly body with soft white fur

Jellyroll Cake, adult, swirled rainbow fur

White choco Cake, elder, white fur with specs of brown

Churro Cake, elder, long skinny body with sparkly golden fur

Oatmeal Cake, senior, grainy brown fur with wedges of banana within

Nougat Cake, senior, Nutty white and brown fur

Biscotti Cake, senior, wrinkly body with nuts decorating its bare back

Kolaczki Cake, freshbaked, wrapped in silk, shining red fur

Huckleberry Cake, freshbaked, purple and blue bumpy fur

Sundae Cake, freshbaked, creamy white fur with sprinkles and chocolate syrup

Grasshopper pie Cake, adolescent, speckled white fur with grasshopper-like features

Shoofly pie, adolescent, white and beige striped fur with wings and other fly-like features

Strudel Cake, adolescent, golden fur with streaks of glazed white on top

Apple dumpling Cake, adult, fluffy peach fur with apple seeds poking out

Whoopie pie Cake, adult, black and white frilly fur that remains untamed no matter what

Buckeyes Cake, adult, black fur with fake chocolate eyes on its back

Tofu Cake, senior, wiggly white fur that appears to jiggle even when untouched

Lima bean Cake, freshbaked, smooth bumpy green fur

Pea Cake, adolescent, Fur similar to Lima bean Cake, but with smaller bumps

Azuki Cake, adult, hibiscus colored uneven fur

Lentil Cake, senior, knobbly golden brown fur

Butterbean Cake, elder, pale brittle coat that shines in even the dimmest lighting

Jester Cake, freshbaked, red and white marbled dough adorned with jester attire and red and white piped frosting

Clown Cake, adolescent, funfetti dough filled with sprinkles and cookie dough topped with fluffy red fur and cherries

Juggler Cake, adult, blue dough with cream cheese and blueberries in the middle, has yellow fur with circular sprinkles

Hula-hoop Cake, senior, spongy yellow dough and pink swirly dough, typically seen with a hula hoop

Ringleader Cake, elder, red and black checkered dough with a tophat that covers most of its white frosting

Patient Cake, freshbaked, sickly blue dough with white frosting and sprinkles

Low-fat milk Cake, adolescent, chunky white fur with a cottage-cheese like frosting on top

Clipboard Cake, adult, brown dough with silver clips in its beige frosting

Nurse Cake, senior, peach dough with yellow glaze. Often found in a nurse outfit or a stethoscope

Doctor Cake, elder, nuts and raisin filled rocky-road dough wearing a long coat and fake sleek white frosting

Smiley the tropical cake hound, puppy, shy and likes the sun

Brown Rice Cake Hound (Unnamed 1a), adult

Brown Rice Cake Hound (Unnamed 1b), adult

Grape Strudel Cake, senior, cream dressed as a mikrokosmo, a laid back lap dog

Meet all my little hounds:3

You forgot dreamboat

[cd2news]

Recipe for Vanilla Madeira Cake Similar to a pound cake, this is a traditional English sponge cake. Top with a citrus glaze or sprinkle with confectioners' sugar before serving.

[whiskyaway]

Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Distillery Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A Well-Executed but Short-Lived Glenfiddich Cask Strength Offering

I was tentative in approaching the Glenfiddich 15YO Distillery Edition because the Solera version is so well-loved. Thankfully, it keeps many of its promises, pulling me to a world of flavour so light that its mist disappears with the sun. 

Immediately, I recognize the easy aromas that make this such a great entry into the world of Scotch. On the nose is varnish, dressed in lemon skin and enmeshed in dried and dark fruit, particularly raisins. There is a hint of fresh strawberries as I pull the glass away, invigorating freshness that eventually blossoms like a well-aired flower shop. It takes me further still into the country, where short grasses sway under the large, watchful leaves of large trees. I’m surrounded by the smell of newly cut wood, muddled by the play of waxy crayons, before nectarines ripen on the branches, a little tart but still honey-sweet. As I move further into the glass, the whisky serves a large slice of Madeira cake --thick, moist, and spongy. This heavy flavour overhangs the easy, welcoming aroma of butterscotch candy.

The smell is whimsical and light; amazingly, its taste is a mature expression of these smells. After that short time outdoors, it brings me to a kitchen where I’m stuffing my face with bready, milk cookies, the vanilla radial as it swoops out with sweetness and spice. Pepper and raisins swirl on the palate, again touched by refreshing green apples and two flavours of wood, light and dry like kindling. I’m still very much in the comfort of a home, hints of fresh laundry sitting in a cupboard for a week and unloading the promise of sleep in the air. On the deep exhale, there is a dash of iodine and smoke, and then a crowd of nuts.

Despite the bustle of flavour, I don’t notice its ABV of 51% in the slightest, nor is there any lingering oiliness to smack my lips against. I wish there was more length and density to this; like any good memory, it should linger in the way the aforementioned flavours deserve. Instead, this well-conceived tableau disappears like paint that’s too thinly applied. It is incredibly easy to drink, but disappointment overshadows a story that is far too linear and short. I find myself wanting more! In fact, I was under the impression for months now that what I had tasted was the non-Distillery Edition until I looked at the tasting bottle labels from SMWhisky more closely. For its great taste but uncomplicated, too-safe execution, I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

[hoardingrecipes]

Strawberry & Cream Trifles

[athenaquinn]

Ariana’s Birthday Gifts

for: @letsbenditlikebennett

Athena carefully decorated the entire apartment before Ariana wakes up in the morning - with blue and silver colored streamers around the living room as well as a 1 and a 9 balloon. Two balloons that have “Happy Birthday” written on them are in opposite corners. There’s also some various “kids” party toys that Athena figured Ari might not have used much.

She also bought some sunflowers and those are in a vase on the coffee table by the couch. On the kitchen table are an array of nineteen different cakes/desserts. The two noted to be full-sized are normal size, the rest are the size of a large cupcake. Thanks to Nate, she was able to bake all of them at his bakery, and gave him all the extras she isn’t using.

Lemon with raspberry frosting, full size

Lemon with fresh raspberries, full size

Funfetti (homemade, not from a mix) cake

Chai Cake

Genoise cake with fresh fruits

Coffee Cake

Madeira cake

Blueberry cake

Vanilla with buttercream frosting

Rainbow cake 

Applesauce cake

Snickerdoodle cookies (2)

Caramel chip cake

Sponge cake 

Red velvet cake

Vanilla cake with lemon frosting and edible flowers

Southern caramel cake

Powdered donut cake

Bundt cake

There’s some boxes back in the living room: one has a blanket in it with a note marking it “especially for when we do all our hiking & camping”, one has a few knives carefully wrapped up (all made of iron), and another has some really nice woodworking tools. There’s also a beaded bracelet from Sasha with yellow beads and a soccer ball bead in the ‘center’.

There’s also a card in an envelope decorated with hearts that reads:

Ariana,

I’ve never had a girlfriend - or dated anyone - before and so I am not sure exactly what the protocol for this is, but I also know you’ve not had typical birthdays, so I may have gone a bit over the top with all my planning. But you know, now you have a cake or baked treat of some sort for each year of your life, and I think that is absolutely something worth celebrating. Every year of your life, I mean - not the treats, though I think they turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself. 

You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever known - and you’re also someone who I look up to in a lot of ways. I know things are difficult sometimes - I know this town brings that about more than some others. It’s normal for me, I guess - just because it’s how I’ve grown up but I also know other towns aren’t like this. Point is, I’m glad you’ve stuck it out and I don’t think I would have managed some things at all without you, and nothing I do will ever be able to fully show the gratitude I feel towards you, and so I hope that trying to show it in little ways suffices. I’ve never cared about anyone the way I care about you - the care I obviously have for my brother is different - yours came unexpectedly, and for someone who’s had her whole life planned out since she was four that’s more than a bit alarming, but I don’t mind it with you.

This is a bit more wordy than I might normally do, but I hope my point comes across. You are beyond a perfect girlfriend, I care for you deeply, and I hope that your day is wonderful. You deserve nothing but good things.

xxxxxxx

Athena :) 

PS: The bracelet is from Sasha. I told her you love sunflowers and she said: “It’s because she’s so SUNNY - like, super bright, right?” and then she made the bracelet. 

PPS: I treasure “just us” time, you know? That’s some of the best parts of any week. I’m glad to just be able to be with you, no matter what it is we do. 

[amuseoffyre]

Have done a tally of my complete works of Bakesphere during lockdown.

18 x bagels

1 x focacia

1 x Madeira cake

1 x chocolate sponge

12 x vanilla cupcakes

12 x raspberry rolls

1 x banana loaf

24 x ginger biscuits

20 x chocolate biscuits

12 x waffles

Have also made multiple cauldrons of soup and a giant vat of tomatoey pasta sauce.

Bearing in mind that I live alone. My chest freezer that I bought back in February has proved to be a very sound investment.

(look, ma, I’m Aziraphale :D)

[fullcravings]

Madeira Mini Layer Cakes with Vanilla Bean Buttercream

[zalia]

In honour of the Magnus Archives finale, I made a cake! Vanilla, almond, and ginger flavoured madeira cake, with cherry bakewell buttercream, also has rhubarb and ginger jam in the middle 

[something-tofightfor]

YOURE JUST SO SO STUPID WITH YOUR HUSBAND

Word Count: 1747

(This takes place in @its-my-little-dumpster-fire‘s “’Deed I Do” universe where I am happily married to John Whittaker and making Veronica’s life a living hell whenever possible.)

“You’re just so, so stupid.” You used the back of your hand to push your hair away from your face, mindful of the fact that it was covered in flour - most of which was outside of the bowl that it was supposed to be in. “Why did you believe that you could…”

 “John won’t like you talking about yourself like that.” You paused, closing your eyes and gritting your teeth. Not now, Marion. “And mother won’t -”

 “I know your mother won’t approve of the mess I’m making, Marion.” You sighed, lowering your head as your eyes went to the glass mixing bowl on the counter, and then to the drifts of flour surrounding it. “Veronica doesn’t approve of much -”

 “And you know that he likes Madeira cake, right?” 

 “Marion.” You finally turned to face the other woman, eyebrows raised. “He is my husband and I have known him since we were children. Of course I know that he likes Madeira cake, but that’s not suitable for a birthday.” You gestured behind you with one hand, shaking your head. “You need frosting on a birthday cake, something to stick candles into, something to …” To detract from the way that this cake is going to taste because I … “I’ve never made frosting before, Marion.” Though you and John’s sister didn’t always see eye to eye, and the woman’s near constant snark toward you was off-putting, there was no reason to lie to her. “And I’ve been so worried about that that I can’t focus on the cake, which is simple, I’ve done this countless times before.”

 “You could have just asked the staff to make the cake, you know.” She stepped into the kitchen, tone softer. “Things are a little better for us, with John’s new venture, and we have a full time cook again.” 

 “It’s his first birthday as my husband, and I wanted to…” You pressed your lips together. “I just wanted to surprise him.” John was traveling and had been gone for two weeks on business, and the days had seemed like the longest in your memory. As the head of the Whittaker household and the family’s future, he was expected to represent you in all matters… and he’d done just that, taking another trip to visit his friend Andrew in France.

 John had begged you to go with him, and although you enjoyed the company of Perrine and Andrew, you’d declined - for good reason. There was to be a birthday party for John the weekend after his return, and if you’d left things to Veronica, the party would have had nothing to do with your husband or his interests, and everything to do with hers. He’d pouted for days, and even now, two weeks later, you could still picture the look in your husband’s eyes as he pled with you, on the morning of his departure to accompany him on the trip; brown eyes wide and lips settled into the pout that looked almost as inviting on his perfect lips as a wide smile did. 

 “Just come with me,” he’d whispered, his lips against your cheek. ‘We don’t have to come back for the party, we can stay in France after I’ve finished with my meetings. Mother won’t…” 

 “John,” you’d sighed, reaching behind you to tangle your fingers in his hair, eyes still closed. “She would throttle me, and then you. I don’t want you to go, but if I stay, I can make some of the decisions for her.” You turned your head toward his, opening your eyes. “For you.” He was grinning at you, hair falling over his forehead. “And just think, John..” You tilted your head,and for once, it wasn’t John’s lips that were waiting for a good morning kiss - it was yours. He only kept you waiting for a moment, lowering his mouth to yours and kissing you thoroughly as you rolled onto your back, the hand that had been on John’s head dropping to the sheets beneath you. “Just think about how happy you’ll be to see me again when you come home.” He’d sighed - a deep sound, one of resignation - and nodded, kissing you again quickly. 

 “You’re right.” John pulled back, still looking disappointed, and though you hated being the one to make him feel that way, you were certain it was the right decision. “But I haven’t left yet. Let me say a proper goodbye to my wife?” Without hesitation, you nodded, feeling the weight of John’s body pressing down against yours. 

 That had been two weeks ago, and John was due home the following morning - the day before his birthday. The cake had seemed like a good idea when you’d decided to make it; it was simple enough - you’d made cakes before, but as you’d stood in the Whittaker kitchen - your kitchen - bowls and spoons and ingredients in front of you, things had spiraled out of control quickly. “What are you having a hard time with?” Marion was next to you, arms crossed over her chest . “It just looks like you dumped the flour, but you haven’t added the eggs and sugar yet.” 

 “I haven’t, it’s just the flour and the cocoa and -” You frowned. “I guess I could just add a little more of those if it looks like it’s too loose…” You took a deep breath and looked over the ingredients again. “Have you made frosting before, Marion?” The other woman laughed, shaking her head. 

 “You could always just make whipped cream instead of frosting.” Marion paused. “I’m sure you’d enjoy that much more.” When you glanced over at her, she winked at you - the first time in nearly a year that she’d done so. “I know John’s a fan, and then you could even reserve some for cocoa.” Cocoa? Hmm. Marion had already stepped away from the counter and was reaching for one of the cookbooks on the shelf, pulling it down and swiftly flipping through pages. “Here. A recipe. You just need some heavy cream, gelatin, water, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla.” Sounds simpler than the frosting… “We can take turns with the whisk.” 

 --- 

 The cake was finished - and it tasted good, you knew, because you’d reserved a small amount of the batter and baked it separately, sharing it with Marion after letting it cool and spreading some of the whipped frosting atop it. The two of you had had a long conversation as you baked, and an even longer one as you cleaned up the mess that you’d made. Though you didn’t think you’d ever be the best of friends, you had a newfound appreciation for the eldest Whittaker daughter and her desire to protect John as much as she could - from the world and from their mother’s expectations. You’d finished cleaning just as Veronica breezed through the doors, searching for the two of you to go over more details about the party and the menu.

 Holding your breath, you’d waited for her to make a comment about a dusting of flour or a splash of cream that you’d missed, but she said nothing, instead launching into a tirade about the price of shrimp for the cocktail, the number of roasts that would be needed to feed the guests, all of the champagne she’d ordered. Typical. You’d listened intently, making sure to focus on the woman’s face as she spoke, but since she hadn’t said anything about changing the choices that you’d decided on, you weren’t worried. “Veronica?” You interrupted her as she spoke to Marion, shaking your head. “If you don’t need me for anything else, I’m going to go back upstairs, I’d like to take a bath before it gets too late.” She dismissed you with a wave of her hand, entirely focused on filling Marion in on the latest news from the Hurst estate, and you exited the room quickly, using your fingertips to rub at your eyes. They’ll all be here for the party, Phillip and his wife and Sarah and her fiance… that’s a start. 

 To say that things were still frosty between John and his former friend - and lover, you had to admit, even if only to yourself - was an understatement, but after attending Phillip’s celebration, when the two of them, and then the three of you (and then you and Sarah separately) had spoken, you had hope that one day, John would have his friend back - and one day, your imagination wouldn’t run wild when seeing the two of them together, even doing something as harmless as speaking in a crowded room. By the time you’d made it back to your bedroom, you’d pushed all thoughts from your head except how appealing the thought of the hot water on your skin was, and the fact that within 24 hours, your husband would be home again. 

 You’d passed the time after your bath and between bed with tidying up your room, changing the sheets on the bed and reading a few chapters of the book you’d picked up in town, but you called it an early night. I’ll be busy all weekend, I need to get some sleep. You drifted off quickly, one hand on John’s pillow and the other tucked beneath your own, waking hours later at the feeling of the mattress dipping behind you and a low voice in your ear. “Wake up, darling. Did you miss me?” 

 “Mmmmm… what?” You snuggled down further beneath the blankets, not opening your eyes. What a lifelike dream. You could almost feel your husband’s lips against your cheek, feel the blankets moving, feel his body pressed against yours from behind - “John?!” Your eyes flew open and you rolled quickly toward the voice, finding your husband’s face only a few inches away from yours. “John, you’re back? You’re supposed to be coming back tomorrow, I …” He shook his head slowly, a smile growing on his face. 

 “I drove straight through after the train dropped me off, I couldn’t wait another minute.” He leaned down, brushing his nose against yours and stopping just before his lips touched you, taking a deep breath. “I needed to kiss my wife.” You let out a breath and reached up with your hand to grip the back of his neck, your fingers immediately finding the ends of his hair in a practiced movement as you pulled him down to you for a kiss that you’d waited weeks for, John’s answering groan a sound you’d sorely missed.

 “Welcome home, Mr. Whittaker.” 

---

[greatdrams]

Lower ABV Whiskies

let’s begin

Dry January might be over but that doesn’t necessarily mean you want t o jump on the wagon that quickly again.

Whiskies with lower ABV

For those of us who want might want to curtail the amount of alcohol we consume, finding a spirit with a lower ABV can sometimes be hard. Whisky by nature is usually be a higher ABV, especially if its cask strength. For whisky to be Legally called whisky, it has to be over 40%.

In this article is a selection of whiskies that are excellent to taste but also have a lower ABV of just 40%. We’ve gone for drams from all over the world so you have a international selection.

Buy Now

1. Glenfarclas 10 year old

Bottle cost: £32.95

A brilliant dram from the independently owned Glenfarclas Distillery, this 10 year old is complex and full of flavour. It is packed with sherry notes on the nose and moves on to smooth, sweet honey. There are lots of vanilla, oak wood and fruit flavours as well, with a warming hint of smoke throughout.

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2. Laphroaig 10 year old

Bottle cost: £32.95

The Laphroaig 10 year old is a legendary whisky, and only has a 40% ABV, so you can enjoy it even when you’re not indulging. It is full of smoky, seaside notes with lots of peat and salt. This is a wonderfully complex dram. There are medicinal notes of iodine and TCP, with sweet vanilla, caramel and rich, earthy peat flavours. 

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3. The Balvenie 21 year old Madeira cask finish

Bottle cost: £184.87

The finish of the Madeira casks on this 21 year old Balvenie come through really well on the palate. It is sweet and fruity, with lots of citrus and orchard notes. Delving deeper we get hints of smoke and pepper spice. The casks give it a lovely sweet and spicy edge.

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4. Royal Salute 21 year old Signature Blend

Bottle cost: £116

Another widely known and loved dram, this blend is full of sweet notes and wood flavours. Oak makes itself known on the nose and blossoms into floral flavours and vanilla sweetness. Apples, pear and big notes of orange jump out on the palate.

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5. Redbreast 12 year old

Bottle cost: £44.95

One of the best Irish whiskies around, Redbreast 12 year old is luxurious and elegant. It is brimming with sweet nuts and fruit flavours. Marzipan, melon, hazelnuts and raisins abound, giving it a nice crisp edge. There is a delicate sweetness to this dram that is enhanced by the fruit flavours.

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6. Rebel Yell Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Bottle cost: £20.83

Rebel Yell has all the key flavours of a Bourbon at only 40% ABV. The nose is sweet and full of vanilla, with a toasty charred note appearing. There is a smooth honey flavour throughout that ties in perfectly with apples and orchard notes. The sweetness and spicy is wrapped up in a long hint of wood smoke that really makes this Bourbon Sing (or yell!).

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7. BASIL HAYDEN’S BOURBON

Bottle cost: £35.83

Another Bourbon for our list, Basil Hayden’s is an excellent dram with big flavours. This is a typical Kentucky Straight Bourbon that shows just how well Bourbons can be made. The rye spice is excellent throughout, with sweet hints of vanilla and caramel. there are notes of menthol and fruity flavours that really adds depth.

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8. Crown Royal Canadian Whisky

Bottle cost: £24.95

One of the most well known Canadian whiskies, Crown Royal is a brilliant spirit. Citrus fruits, chocolate cake and cherries all appear, against a gentle backdrop of vanilla and caramel. Oak wood comes out with lots of tannins and sweet, sugary notes.

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9. The Macallan 12 year old Sherry Oak

Bottle cost: £69.95

One of the best Scotches about, this 12 year old Macallan has been matured in Sherry oak casks and really shows. The spices and fruit notes of the Sherry really come through and add a wonderful warmth to the dram. There is also a delicate floral note and lots of dried fruit to really give it some depth.

Buy Now

10. Whyte and Mackay Spirit Drink

Bottle cost: £18.75

Ok, so this technically isn’t a whisky and is in fact Scotch and Sherry blended and matured in Sherry and Bourbon casks, but it’s an excellent drink and has an ABV of 21.5%. Lots of spirits brands are looking at producing lower ABV drinks and Whyte and Mackay, who traditionally have made whisky, have produced their own Spirit Drink. Not the best name, but it can’t be called whisky or sherry by law. The flavours are brilliant, with big notes of spice and dried fruit. Notes of caramel give it a really sweet but smooth background. Definitely worth trying!

The post Lower ABV Whiskies appeared first on GreatDrams.

from GreatDrams https://ift.tt/3cBe5Of Greg

[ladytesla]

The Great Vesuvia Baking Show

I’m not sorry for any of this.

THE CONTESTANTS:

-Asra, Julian, and Nadia, of course

-Portia, Lucio, and Muriel, naturally

-Valdemar, Volta, Vulgora, and Vlastomil, because why not

-Valerius because wine daddy

-Mazelinka because I needed 12 contestants

WEEK ONE: CAKE

-Signature bake: Madeira cake.  Valerius wows the judges with his ability to bake with wine, and even add it to the food on occasion.  Mazelinka claims her cake used to prevent scurvy on the high seas.  Muriel’s cake is simple, but quite tasty.

-Technical challenge: Cherry cake. Coincidentally enough, this is Nadia’s favorite cake.  So of course she knows the recipe forwards, backwards and diagonally.  She wins hands-down, despite the fact that Asra and Portia were copying her every move.  Volta eats most of the cherries.

-Showstopper challenge: Black Forest gateau.  While Julian astonishes with his intricate decorations and Valdemar creates very precise mathematical designs, Lucio comes out on top with an exceedingly elaborate showpiece that needs two people to carry it to the front.

-The star baker for the week is Nadia, much to Lucio’s chagrin.  Vlastomil is eliminated, mostly because he kept using salt instead of sugar and was under the impression that a black FOREST gateau needed actual dirt on top.  Because forest. It’s quite possible Vulgora told him so to trick him.

WEEK TWO: BREAD

-Signature bake: breadsticks (or grassini).  Asra makes his with lapsang souchong, which makes for an interesting combination the judges can’t stop talking about.  Nadia is a high achiever and makes twisted grassini with two-colored dough.

-Technical challenge: Baguettes.  Vulgora’s are decidedly ‘overwerked’ due to the fact that they punched their bread into submission rather than kneaded it.  Julian and Portia get in trouble for throwing flour at each other.  Mazelinka and her spoon quickly sort them out.  The winner of the technical challenge is a very meticulous Valdemar.

-Showstopper challenge: a 3-d bread sculpture.  Lucio’s bread goat distorts in the oven, leading him to have a meltdown, throw his half-baked creation at Valerius, and storm out of the tent. Volta makes off with the discarded goat bread.  Muriel makes a lovely rendition of Inanna.

-Star baker for the week is Valdemar.  No one is eliminated, since Lucio quit.

WEEK THREE: PIES AND TARTS

Signature bake: family-sized custard tart.  Mazelinka uses one of Lilinka’s recipes, causing the Devorak siblings to gravitate over to the pan as soon as the judges leave. Valdemar’s is technically perfect, but lacking in flavor.

Technical challenge: mini pear pies.  Nadia gets flustered because hers aren’t up to her perfectionist standards.  Julian’s somehow are overcooked on the outside and raw on the inside. Volta volunteers to eat the leftovers again.  Muriel manages to scrape by, to his complete surprise.

Showstopper challenge: tiered pies with a common theme.  Portia wins hands-down by making a tower of pies filled with vegetables straight from her garden.  Valerius admits he went heavy-handed with the red wine reduction in his creations.  Asra is on thin ice by incorporating blue-tongued skink.

-Star baker for the week is Portia.  Vulgora is eliminated due to their horrible taste in what should go in a savory pie.  Honestly they’re glad to leave, they think this whole thing is boring. 

WEEK FOUR: BISCUITS

Signature bake: 36 savory biscuits (crackers for us americans).  Muriel impresses everyone with his mushroom and wild garlic biscuits, especially when the hosts finally wheedle out of him that he collected the wild garlic and mushrooms himself.  Asra mentions to the camera that Muriel’s single, which makes the poor guy turn bright red.

Technical challenge: 18 florentines.  Portia somehow gets chocolate in her hair.  Volta ends up submitting 12.  She claims to not know where the other 6 went, despite being caught on camera eating them.  Valerius ends up burning his fingers.  Mazelinka made a lot of these when she was younger and trying to bribe baby Devoraks to do chores, so she wins the technical.

Showstopper challenge: 3D biscuit scene.  Valdemar’s ‘Laboratory Scene’ is deemed too disturbing to be put on camera.  Julian surprises everyone with a quaint (and tasty) miniature version of the Rowdy Raven. Nadia makes a family portrait of herself and her sisters.

Star baker for the week is Muriel, which surprises everyone, including himself.  Volta is eliminated for eating too many of her own bakes.

WEEK FIVE: DESSERTS

Signature bake: family-sized roulade.  Nadia goes overboard and makes a chocolate version of the Satrinava crest to adorn hers with.  Asra decorates his white chocolate and blueberry roulade to look like Faust.  Muriel is praised for his chocolate and orange roulade.  He just shrugs.

Technical challenge: tiramisu cake.  Mazelinka has a bad oven mishap, but manages to pull through when Muriel steps in to help.  Julian wins the technical, much to his surprise. Then again, he reasons, he DOES like coffee.  Valerius miserably fails the technical.

Showstopper challenge: Baked Alaska.  Portia is so busy nosing around to see what everyone else is doing (and taking tastes when they let her or aren’t looking) that she almost forgets to finish her Baked Alaska.  As such, hers has the least amount of decorations.  Valdemar somehow manages to sculpt the meringue into a perfect cube.

Star Baker for the week is Nadia.  Asra goes home since he was too chill and was unable to finish his bakes this week.

WEEK SIX: PASTRY

Signature bake: twelve savory pastry parcels.  Nadia wows with her spiced swordfish pastries.  Portia and Mazelinka manage to coincidentally make adaptations of the same one of Lilinka’s recipes, which leads to controversy among the judges.

Technical challenge: An obscure pastry nobody’s ever heard of.  Somehow they all end up looking very similar, except for Julian’s, which are a bit burned.  Valdemar aces the technical as usual.

Showstopper challenge: 24 eclairs with 2 flavors.  Valdemar’s blood orange and salted caramel eclairs are all extremely precise.  Valerius’s strawberry daiquiri and mojito eclairs are a favorite with fellow drunk Mary Berry.  Muriel writes sigils in icing on his eclairs.  When asked, he admits Asra taught them to him and they’re for good luck.

Star baker for the week is Valdemar.  Julian is sent home, which makes Portia cry.

WEEK SEVEN: ADVANCED DOUGH

Signature bake: free-form sweet fruit loaves. Valerius soaks his in too much liquour.  Mazelinka’s bread is overprooved because she was too busy brandishing a spoon at anyone, namely Portia, who tried to come near and taste-test.

Technical challenge: pannetone.  Portia accidentally cuts herself and has to sit out a bit.  Valdemar was more interested in the medical staff than their pannetone, and it showed when the judges came by.

Showstopper challenge: Doughnuts.  Muriel takes a risk by making doughnuts that are safe for humans AND dogs to eat.  When pressed, he mentions that Inanna helped taste-test the previous week.  Nadia fusses over her decorations so much that she nearly runs out of time to display them all.

Star baker for the week is Nadia, again.  Valerius is sent home.  He’s a bit drunk at the moment, so he doesn’t care.

QUARTERFINAL: CARAMEL

Signature bake: millionaire shortbread.  Nadia’s caramel is a bit too firmly set because she wanted a nice smooth surface for the chocolate to go on top.  Portia stuns with her orange-pistachio millionaire shortbread creation.

Technical challenge: stroopwafels.  Mazelinka gets frustrated by the challenge, and ends up in last place.

Showstopper challenge: caramel cake with spun sugar decorations.  Valdemar’s decorations are minimal, since they don’t like caramel.  Muriel burns himself.

Star baker is Portia.  Mazelinka is sent home, but she gives Portia her spoon before she goes.

SEMIFINAL: PATISSERIE

Signature bake: choux buns.  Valdemar, while achieving technical perfection, bores the judges with plain vanilla and chocolate.  

Technical challenge: Les Miserables Slices.  Portia is belting out showtunes while baking, which annoys Valdemar.  Muriel quietly manages to ace the technical.  He’s not sure how he did it.

Showstopper challenge: meringue centerpiece.  Nadia makes a miniature replica of the Vesuvian royal palace.  Portia’s attempt at making Pepi doesn’t end well.

Star baker is Muriel.  Portia is sent home because her bakes, while tasty, are a bit too rustic and home-y and lack precision.

THE FINAL

Signature bake: 12 small loaves of bread, four need to be shaped, four need to be flavored, and four need to be made from an alternative grain.  Muriel, who is in his element, receives a handshake from Paul Hollywood over his bread.  It’s awkward.

Technical challenge: ginger biscuits.  Nadia’s are unevenly-shaped, but the icing makes up for it.  Valdemar’s are eerily perfect. They win the technical.

Showstopper challenge: one large entremet with a minimum of five elements.  Nadia stuns with her feather-themed entremet.  Valdemar’s is shaped like a beetle.  Muriel makes his look like a log with mushrooms growing on it.  It’s surprisingly delicate work.

The winner is:

MURIEL!

He wins a cake stand, a sense of accomplishment, and minor celebrity status in the UK.

Coincidentally, he’s decided never to set foot in the UK again and heads back to his hut.

Asra later notes that the cake stand is prominently displayed in his kitchen.