An Afternoon Tea Baby Shower

I hosted a baby shower for a fellow cake lady over the weekend.  It was small and intimate...but there were loads of goodies.

We had organised it so that everyone invited would bring something along...a pot luck tea party! It was, of course, a great excuse to use my tea set...and a fantastic way to while away a Sunday afternoon.  

My contribution was a platter of savouries...my mum's artichoke bites (recipe widely available), small egg salad sandwiches, David Lebovitz's Gougeres, and tomato and basil puffs.   I had halved both the artichoke and gougere recipe and in the end I wished I hadn't...they were both so perfectly savoury I wished I had left overs.  

This was a seriously perfect pot luck Afternoon Tea...we had the savouries, and then large fresh fruit scones (with all the trimmings) followed by rhubarb and cream cheesecake, bakewell tarts, Malteser traybake and my Scandinavian apricot sponge cake.  

To finish I picked up some shortbread moustaches from Pinnies and Poppyseeds a local shortbread biscuit producer.  We needed something a little bit masculine...our friend is expecting a wee boy.  Not only were these mos a little bit of fun, they were being sold to raise money for Movember...bonus.  

Check out my friend Alison's blog for pics of all the goodies...I was too busy making and pouring tea to snap any decent pics.  

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Lemon Squares for an Afternoon Tea Party

I went to a lovely little afternoon Tea Party at a friend's house today. It was perfectly gorgeous and dainty and everything a tea party should be.  I took along some lemon squares that I whipped up Saturday afternoon.  

These lemon squares take no time at all and a really easy to make.  The base is a shortbread mixture pressed into the tin and baked until just starting to turn golden.  The topping is a combination of eggs, sugar, baking powder, and lemon juice.   They really are that easy.  

A little dust of icing sugar finishes them off...but best not to dust before transit.

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Road Tripping for Cake...Afternoon Tea in the Scottish Borders

Yesterday a handful of the Edinburgh Cake Ladies took to the road in search of cake.  2 cars of giddy ladies headed south into the Scottish Borders to Cammerlaws Farm where we were warmly welcomed by fellow cake lady Pam and her mum, Anne.  

photo courtesy of Alison

Pam and Anne have been thinking about opening up their farm house for Afternoon Tea and decided to road test it on some Cake Ladies...make sense.  

We were welcomed with a glass of prosecco and nibbles in the sitting room where we gabbed away until it was time for the main event.  In the dining room we were met with the most glorious site...cake stands piled high with dainty tea time treats PLUS 3 whole cakes on the side board! 

A selection of savouries including ham, cheese and celery, and cucumber sandwiches along with a cute little croissant filled with ham and camembert.  The scones were perfect, and the raspberry jam (award winning) and clotted cream were plentiful (very important).  I am ashamed to say I couldn't finish all my sweets, but the choux buns (filled with honeycomb cream), the shortbread and brownies were delicious, and I have it on good authority (David ate the leftovers I brought home) the meringues and rocky road were perfect.  

Before we tucked into the 3 large cakes on the side board we had a little walk around the farm (mainly to oooh and ahhhh over the newly born calves) to take in the countryside and make a bit of room for those cakes.  A Victoria Sponge, Maple and Pecan Tart and a lovely Clementine Cake were waiting for us when we returned from our walk.  More tea, more chat and more cake...how perfect. 

The day ran so smoothly you would have thought that Pam and Anne had been hosting tea parties on a regular basis.  Afternoon Tea at Cammerlaws Farm gets two sticky thumbs-up from me.  

For more information check out the Cammerlaws Farm Facebook page.  

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A Royal Vicky Sponge

At the beginning of the summer I spied a gorgeous Earl Grey Victoria Sponge in the wardrobe over at lovecrumbs.  It looked awesome and I immediately fell in love with the idea of baking with tea.  That was ages ago...this weekend I finally got around to doing something about it.  

I rarely bake sandwich cakes.  I am not sure if I shy away from sandwich cakes because I don't own two tins of the same size, or because I don't really like making buttercream, or because I only have one shelf in my oven.  Whatever the deep down reason is I managed to expel it from my mind on Friday night while I rustled up this beauty.  

To start I infused some milk with Fortnum and Masons Royal Blend Tea and then got down to the business of the sponge.  I used Mary Berry's Victoria Sponge recipe from her Baking Bible (copied out by hand from the copy at the Lakeland store I used to work in) and which I have also found online.  Instead of vanilla and regular milk I added about 2 tbsp of the infused milk into the sponge batter at the end.  

The cakes were baked one after the other due to the lack of same sized tins and an extra oven shelf. Once cooled I filled the sandwich Tiptree Victoria Plum Jam and a buttercream flavoured with the infused tea.

Unlike Earl Grey, Royal Blend does not have a very distinct flavour.  I liked the idea of using a tea blended for King Edward VII in a cake named for his mother, Queen Victoria (I'm geeky like that), but the tea flavour just wasn't strong enough.  

Tea flavour or not I'm happily devouring it...

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Afternoon Tea at the Pommery pop up

Last year, by the time I got use the huge influx of people into Edinburgh for the Fringe I had missed out on my chance to go for afternoon tea at the Pommery Champagne Bar.  Last year was my first year as a resident of Edinburgh and I have to admit I found the whole swell of tourists thing overwhelming.  This year...I am prepared for the crowds and noise and slow moving pedestrian traffic.  This year I know the short cuts to where I want to be...and...well I don't actually feel like I HAVE to be out there in the middle of everything.  This year Afternoon Tea at the Pommery must happen.  

This pop up Champagne Bar is open for 3 weeks in the Signet Library on the Royal Mile.  There is a gigantic advertising banner hanging on the building so you can't really miss it, but once inside it feels like you are miles away from the hustle and bustle of the main drag.  

I met some cakey friends for a catch up over Champagne and Afternoon Tea.  I had envisioned tables nestled amongst stacks of books with very little light...the only private library I've previously been too was at the Linnean Society while they were re-cataloguing...so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw just how big the Signet Library is.

We spent a pleasant 2.5 hours chatting about this and that...catching up on vacation happenings and Fringe gossip and, of course, oohing and ahhhing over the food.  The sandwiches were substantial and a great mix of veggie, fish and meat.  The scones were cinnamon, and while the cream wasn't clotted cream I was happy for something slightly lighter this time around (shocking I know).  The cakes and pastries were plentiful and perfectly 2-bite sized.  Brownies, Banana Cake, Caramel Slices, Coconut Blackberry Squares and Phyllo Cream Fruit Tarts.  The service was attentive with offers of fresh tea and coffee, and pitchers of water.

If the Pommery Bar was open all year round it would quickly become a favourite haunt of mine, seeing as it is only open for 3 weeks this year makes it extra special...a summer treat.  

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Afternoon Tea at The Howard

Continuing on my foodie friend theme (and being totally spoiled) I was invited to celebrate my birthday with Afternoon Tea at The Howard Hotel in Edinburgh's New Town.  It was raining when I arrived, and since I was early (cakey-karma meant no traffic) I thought I'd mooch around the hotel a bit.  I was shown to the drawing room and waited, reading the paper and watching the rain outside.  It certainly was idyllic and comforting.  

My friend arrived and we were shown into the dining room.  It was really sweet, only 6 tables...all beautifully set, all waiting for diners.  We were the first there (and the last to leave) and so we picked a table by the window and got down to the business of cake and chat. 

We were presented with the tea menu, and with loads to choose from we took our time going through it.  At the end my friend chose a Jasmine tea and I went with the super powerful Lapsang Souchong...nothing like a gunpowder hit to start the weekend off.  

We methodically made our way through the three tiers of sandwiches, scones and cakes.  The jams and lemon curd were lovely and the clotted cream was served like a scoop of ice cream...even for us there was more than enough cream.  We proudly finished everything on our cake stand, unlike some other tables...

We ate and chatted and laughed the afternoon away.  The perfect way to spend a dreary afternoon and definitely the perfect way to celebrate my birthday!

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Paris in Leith...a Tealicious Afternoon

It is Jubilee Weekend here in the UK and I celebrated with a fabulous (if totally unpatriotic) afternoon tea hosted by the Tealicious ladies.  I must have some pretty stellar cakey-karma these days, because it is near impossible to score a ticket to Tealicious events...but I did.  

Early afternoon I wandered down to the gorgeous secret location in Leith, past red, white and blue bunting, and union jack decorations...and stepped into what I can only describe as Paris in Leith... le sigh, a Parisienne Tea. 

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...these gals know how to bake! On top of that... their attention to detail is excellent.  Everything looked and tasted like professional quality.  The savouries were dainty... cheesy gougeres, red onion and fig tartlettes, and herby palmiers.  While I think that the savouries are an important element for Afternoon Tea...I love that the Tealicious gals have made the decision to keep them small, helping their guests to avoid filling up so that we can focus on the real stars...the sweets.  

Scones, Friands, Madeleines, Paris-Brest and Macarons adorned the cake stands on each table, and 3 full sized cakes sat waiting...Fraisier, Cherry Charlotte Russe and a Creme Brulee Cheesecake. Nearing the end of the afternoon the petite fours were brought out...nougat and caramel chocolates. I am not just being kind when I say this...I've been to Paris and eaten enough pastries to be able to make  this  judgement... most of these pastries could rival those found in Parisienne shops.  

I greedily ate everything except for the friand, which I brought home in anticipation of needing a little sweet hit later in the evening.  I could have easily had seconds of everything, but my favourite had to be  the impressive looking, and divine tasting, rose and raspberry macaron.  On previous occasions the Tealicious gals have served small macarons with their petite fours, but yesterday these generous sized creations took centre stage.  

Another set of sticky thumbs up from me! 

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Post Exam Cake-up

Monday morning, bright and early, I took the bus out to my college to sit the most terrifying exam I have encountered since finishing high school (not to brag but my university exams were for the most part not terrifying...thank you arts degree).  I've been studying Intermediate 2 Maths (aka GCSE or Grade 11) in the hopes that I might do well enough to get onto a course here at Edinburgh University...my 3 degrees don't count for much without a "post the age of dinosaurs" maths credit apparently.  

After 2.5 hours of torture I headed back into town to meet some friends for a celebratory cake-up at our favourite little cafe Bon Papillon.  Although all I wanted after my awful morning was course after course of Stuart's lovely cake I had some soup and a herb scone to calm myself down before I got stuck into the main event...

Date, Honey, Walnut and Banana Cake.  

We spent hours chatting about this and that and before I knew it, it was 3:30! What a fantastic way to take my mind off my exam and to spend the rest of my day off from work.  

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The Edinburgh Cake Ladies are 2!!

Yesterday I was invited to a intimate gathering of the Edinburgh Cake Ladies in honour of the group reaching it's second birthday.  We spent the afternoon celebrating all things cake (and tea) in the cosiest of afternoon tea locations...one of the member's home!  

As I nestled into my comfy swively chair I thought...now this is luxury...8 gorgeous cakes, lashings of hot tea and the sweetest waitress in town (one of the member's 12yr old niece).  

We started with some savoury nibbles of breads and cheeses and crisps and grapes before moving onto the main event.  Please don't assume that because this was an intimate gathering the cakes would reflect that in size.  We cake ladies aim to please and satisfy cravings.  

Polena Raspberry Cake...so fresh it was still warm when it arrived

Lemon Curd and Cream Sponge...perfectly tangy 

Orange and Blackberry "Pillow" Cake...so large there wasn't a cake plate big enough!

Fraisier...french strawberry gateaux C'est Magnifique! 

Meringue Birthday Cake...perfectly light with an excellent birthday message 

Hot Pepper Jelly Chocolate Cake...spicy and rich

Raspberry Mousse Cake...drop dead gorgeous

AND 

My Swedish Almond Cake

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taking afternoon tea at anTEAques

At the beginning of my two week holiday I thought to myself...this is going to be so boring...I've got nothing to do except study for my maths exam...boring...boring...boring...

That was until...I met two fellow Edinburgh Cake Ladies for an impromptu afternoon tea at the cutest tea shop/antique shop in Edinburgh: Anteaques. I've heard about this totally unique tea shop so many times since I met the Cake Ladies and have been meaning to make a trip to the south side of town, but the very limited opening hours...and my lazy weekend routine...has made it difficult, until today! 

Nestled amongst vintage fur coats and antique silver and tea sets (and an odd looking military belt) we spent a couple of hours chatting about this and that and thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere, tea and scones. 

This is the place to come if you are wild about tea.  Canister after canister of looseleaf tea adorn the shelves at the front of the shop.  We were spoilt for choice, and quite frankly unsure of what to start with.  Luckily one amongst us was a seasoned Anteaquer.  She suggested we each choose a tea and we have one pot at a time.  Choices made, with some assistance, we were set. 

A gorgeous glass tea pot was placed on the table, filled with Pink Lady Apple tea (a mixture of apples with some hibiscus to make it pink) along side our scones.  

Scones devoured we chatted on and on over our second pot of tea: Lemongrass Marigold. 

Of course we couldn't fly the Cake Ladies flag if we didn't indulge in a second scone.  More scones with a pot of vibrant pink hibiscus tea rounded off an excellent afternoon.  

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Cocktails and Canapes...an afternoon at Tealicious

Sunday I spent a cake filled afternoon at Sofi's Bar in Leith enjoying yet another fantastic spread put on by the lovely Tealicious Ladies.  I can't even begin to describe how scrummy everything tasted and how perfectly it was all presented.  

Savouries to start...shortbread with olives and pinenuts, brioche pizzas, and blinis with cream and onions. Devoured them all.

Whiskey Scones, Blue Hawaiian Cakes, Tiramisu Eclairs, Limoncello Meringue Tartlettes, White Russian Nanaimo Bars and Grasshopper Pielettes...

Red Wine Cake and Mojito Cheesecake...Also devoured. 

There are afternoon teas and then there is Tealicious.  A different theme every month and no fault in the quality or presentation.  It is clear that these ladies LOVE afternoon tea...and they truly know how to  create  an excellent, intimate experience.  

And...to make it extra special...

Mum was visiting me! 

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Afternoon Tea (mostly an opportunity to stuff my face)

Yesterday I had my first proper pop-up dining experience...and it was awesome.  Pop-ups are really hot right now...and I don't think the fad will fade anytime soon.  They are fresh and fast and blink...and you'll miss it (if you even knew anything about it in the first place).  I've been pretty slow off the mark for a few events and have been left sniffling at my computer when tickets have sold out, or I've discovered event only AFTER it has happened. 

You can imagine my joy and excitement when some awesome gals I'd met though the Edinburgh Cake Ladies mentioned that they were starting a Pop-up Afternoon Tea event, aptly named Tealicious, in a secret (and totally fitting) location in Leith.  They kindly released tickets to the first event early to fellow Cake Ladies and I was over the moon to snag a spot.  

Each afternoon tea event is going to be themed and yesterday 10 of us greedy cake lovers were treated to an extremely generous selection of Floral creations.  Everything was perfectly presented, it was dainty without being fussy, and it was obvious that loads of time went into the planning and preparation of the whole afternoon.  As one of my fellow eaters remarked "there is love in these cakes".  

Each table was set out for two, but the intimacy of the room made the whole experience much more of a group event. The Tealicious ladies know their stuff and on top of the fabulous sweet offerings we were also treated to savouries to start.  

I am not ashamed to say that I am an afternoon tea junkie and I have to say I am in danger of becoming a Tealicious groupie.  I've already booked to take my mum next month when she is over visiting and will most likely find excuses (like I need any) to stuff my face on other occasions.  

This pop-up gets two big clotted cream covered thumbs up from me! 

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Tea at the Balmoral...a birthday treat

David totally spoiled me this birthday...I mean...totally...he's been studying hard for his accountancy exams the past couple of weeks, and I am pretty used to exams conflicting with my birthday...but this year...he took the day off from studying and spoiled me rotten! He's been pretty sneaky too...collecting the mail and hiding away anything resembling a birthday card...which meant I had a pile of cards to open with my coffee in bed on the morning of my birthday....followed by a scavenger hunt through the flat to "find" my pressies....followed by waffles with butter and maple syrup for brekkie...and then...the best bit...Tea at the Balmoral Hotel in the afternoon.

The Balmoral's tea room is gorgeous, high ceilings, harpist, beautiful tables and linens, gigantic napkins...totally lovely.  We had the champagne tea and toasted my birth, our families and friends.  Then we got stuck in!

Finger sandwiches, fruit and plain scones, pastries and shortbread...this girl's perfect afternoon!