Wednesday 19 March 2014

Oreo n' Salted Caramel Pie.

This post has been a long time coming. I guess, the reason is the recipe behind the pie. It's long, but so so worth it.

The mix of Oreo's, Chocolate and Caramel are absolutely heavenly.

This recipe makes enough for 8-10 big slices. And I must say, it lasted less than a day in my house. 

 For the base all you need is:
  •  24 Oreo's or 3 normal sized packs.
  •  5 Tablespoons of butter, melted.
Crush the Oreo's in a food processor, then add them into a bowl, mixing in the butter. 

Flatten the mix into a 18cm Quiche dish, spreading out with a spatula. 

You need to put this into the fridge for about 30-45 minutes.

While waiting for the base to firm, you can make the Salted Caramel. For this you need:
  • 200g Granulated Sugar
  • 90g Salted Butter, cut into smaller pieces. 
  • 120ml Whipping Cream
  • 1 Teaspoon of Salt
Heat the sugar in a saucepan over a medium heat, stirring all the time with a spatula.

After 3-4 minutes, the sugar will go into clumps, then melt into a brown-y gloop. You need to keep stirring, and when everything's melted add the butter.

Keep stirring the butter into the sugar, for about 2-3 minutes, until it's well mixed in.

Slowly pour the cream into the pan, and boil for a minute. Then remove from the heat and add in the salt.

You can now drizzle some of the caramel over the Oreo base and leave to cool.

You're nearly there. 

I promise.

For the filling you'll need:
  • 110 g caster sugar
  • 120 ml whipping cream
  • 150 g dark chocolate, melted and cooled
  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 200 g cream cheese
Whip the cream until soft peaks form, and add in the dark chocolate, then the cocoa powder. Set this aside.

Mix the cream cheese and sugar together, slowly fold into the cream mixture until it's all combined.

Spoon the mixture over the Oreo base, drizzle with more caramel and pop in the fridge for about an hour.

Try and resist the temptation to tuck in before. 


And enjoy!

Lydia 
x



 

Thursday 13 March 2014

University Buys.

As I said in this post a few weeks ago, I am returning to being a student again.

I will be moving back into halls, with a shared bathroom and kitchen, I will downsizing bedrooms and living off a budget.

To prepare for my new room, I have started shopping to make it as lovely as possible as the last time at uni my room ended up a mess with unorganised photos plastered over the walls, I will not be repeating this.

Thanks to Pinterest I have a few different rooms that I want.



They're unrealistic I know, I'm in a box room with a single bed and built-in furniture, but a girl can dream, right?

Back to reality.

I have purchased a few things so far and thought it would be cool to show you guys.

I have this cushion from Primark:


It cost a whopping £4 and I think will fit in with my Shabby Chic/Parisian/Country room, with a nude cushion either side.

As I was walking to the checkout in the store, I spotted this cute heart.


And again, this broke the bank at £1.50. I haven't thought of where I'll put this in my new room, but I'm sure I'll find somewhere.

Another little find I've bought, from a small shop in Hemel Hempstead called Dolly, is this garland.


Once again this cost me £4.50 and will be my attempt to prettify my shelves. 

The last thing I have bought, even though it's not for my room, and probably the thing that has bought me much happiness (materialistic I know) is from Sainsbury's and cost £4.50

 

It's a chicken-shaped chopping board. I love it. 

If only I had a big country house.

I'm dreaming again.

Let's stop, shall we?

I'll keep you upto date with anything else I buy.

Lydia
x




Tuesday 11 March 2014

Prosecco & White Chocolate Cupcakes.

I woke up one Sunday morning and decided I'd love to try alcohol in a cupcake. After a few minute flicking through Pinterest I came upon the idea of Champagne, I've taken that idea and used Prosecco as a cheaper alternative.


I think I should give out a warning that these are very strong and definitely not for those under 18.

What You'll Need For 12 Cupcakes

 For the cake:
130g plain flour
140g caster sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
40g softened salted butter
1 egg
100ml whole milk
40ml Prosecco 
10ml vanilla extract
50g white chocolate

For the Icing: 
300g icing sugar 
80g salted butter 
20ml whole milk 
60ml Prosecco 
50g white chocolate

How to make the cakes:
  1. Pre-heat the oven to Gas Mark 3 or 170'c and line a muffin tray with cupcake wrappers.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar together with an electric whisk.
  3. Slowly add in the flour, baking powder, in a jug measure out the milk and Prosecco and then add the egg, whisking well until combined.
  4. Add this mixture into the the butter and whisk until you get a smooth batter.
  5. Melt the White Chocolate over a double boiler, allow to cool slightly and mix into the rest of the ingredients.
  6. Separate into the cupcake cases, bake for about 20 minutes, or until they bounce back up after touch.
  7. Cool for 10 minutes in the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to fully cool. 
To make the Icing:
  1. Beat the butter until pale, then add in the icing sugar (cover the bowl with a clean cloth to stop a cloud of sugar) alternatively with the milk and prosecco.
  2. Pour in the remaining chocolate and continue to whisk for about 5 minutes, til light and fluffy.
  3. Cover the cupcakes with the icing, and enjoy! 
 


 


Lydia
x

Friday 7 March 2014

March's Dozen.

Now, it's no secret that I am a fan of Country & Western Music, I may even be a little addicted! I love the authenticity of the music, so for March, I'm doing a Country-Style-Barn Dancing-Line Dancing-Musical Dozen. So get your Stetson on and dance the night away!


Banjo-Rascal Flatts
Why Don't We Just Dance- Josh Turner
The Wind- Zac Brown Band
Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine-Billie Joe & Norah
Beat This Summer- Brad Paisley
Perfect Day- Lady Antebellum
Merry Go 'Round- Kacey Musgraves
Mama's Broken Heart- Miranda Lambert
Redneck Woman- Gretchen Wilson
One Kiss Later- Ashton Lane
Stay- Florida Georgia Line
Bless The Broken Road- Rascal Flatts

Lydia
x