SHHHHHH it's a secret...Edinburgh Clandestine Cake Club

Edinburgh ladies (and gent) sure know how to make cake...and eat it too! Yesterday evening I attended (with some trepidation) the second meeting of Edinburgh Cakes Ladies' Clandestine Cake Club at Frederick's Coffee House.  I will not lie...I was nervous...as I tenderly wrapped my cake in foil and slowly made my way over the cobbled streets so as not to damage the icing too much I couldn't help but think about how my cake might stack up...was it really Cake Club worthy?  Only one way to find out...

The event was themed...The Last Cake on Earth...and the only stipulation...cakes must be full sized (no cupcakes).  I actually had a lot of trouble deciding what to make...lemon...vanilla...red velvet...chocolate? I finally settled on Nigella's Devil's Food Cake from her Kitchen book.  I love Devil's Food Cake...rich, moist chocolate cake with a thick, glossy chocolate ganache icing.  I'll be perfectly honest, before "practicing" for this event, I had only made Devil's Food Cake from a mix...sometimes Duncan Hines really is THE only option...but, I am converted, this cake is light, it is moist, it is full on chocolatey and the ganache is easy to make and even easier to devour!

Walking up the stairs to the cafe I was nervous...seriously...but upon seeing the tables of cake laid out before me and all the lovely ladies (and gent) snapping away like the paparazzi my nerves subsided somewhat.

At six o'clock on the dot the feasting began...and boy do these ladies (and gent) know how to eat cake! I was totally embarrassed by my lack of cake eating skills...seriously! I managed to make my way slowly through 4 slices...Lemon coconut, Red Velvet, Carrot Cake and then a lovely berry loaf cake.  I'll be honest, I couldn't even FINISH them all.  There was something like 25 cakes brought in total...it was incredible.

My cake club virginity truly became evident when people started taking tupperware containers out of their bags and choosing slices to take home....TAKE HOME! I hadn't even thought that there would be cake leftovers! I honestly underestimated the sheer amount of cake.  I snagged a largish slice of ginger cake, another bit of carrot cake and a little bit of my own to take home to enjoy when I can pace myself!

A big thank you to Allison for organising and to Frederick's for the venue (I'll be back...) and, of course to all the amazing bakers and eaters!!