Blackberry and Apple Crumble. For the Win!!!! [How To Make]

 

Date: 17/9/2013

Background: I was dawdling around Tesco the other day and saw some Blackberries for sale for only £1. The first thing I thought about was… CRUMBLE! So here we are.

What: Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Ingredients:

• 1 Bramley (Cooking) Apple
• 100g punnet of Blackberries
• 100g Caster Sugar
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 100g Self Raising Flour
• 50g Unsalted Butter
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 190C
2. Peel and core a Bramley Apple, and cut into slices
3. Place in the bottom of a (microwavable) Pyrex serving dish
4. Drizzle with the lemon juice to prevent discolouration of the fruit, and sprinkle with 25g of the Caster Sugar
5. Microwave for 2minutes at full power
6. Drain the liquid from the apple
7. Add the blackberries to the warm, soft apple and gently stir to incorporate, being careful not to break apart the fruit
8. In a separate bowl, gently rub together the cold butter to the flour and cinnamon, to create a crumb texture. Cold hands and cold butter are essential to prevent the butter melting!
9. Stir in the sugar to the crumb mixture
10. Pour the crumble topping over the fruit and gently compress
11. Bake in a preheated oven for 30-40mins or until the crumble is golden brown
12. Serve warm with cream/ice cream

What was Good: Winter is heeeeeerreeeee! This means roast dinners and hot crumbly delicious puddings! The blackberries added a tangy sour edge to counteract the sweetness of the apple and biscuity goodness of the crumble. I added the cinnamon to pair deliciously with the apples. Because after all who doesn’t love apple and cinnamon!? But as I am sure you have gathered if you have read my blog before, my FAVOURITE combination is HOT and COLD! The hot soft fruit slowly melts the vanilla ice cream, and the delicious dessert fills up your tummy and makes you feel enveloped in a warm hug!

What was Bad: This pudding went down so well with my parents and I, genuinely think that there was nothing I would do to improve it. My mum said that she the only improvement would be there be more of it!

Would I Make Them Again: Yes I would. You can never go wrong with a crumble.

Waffle-O-Meter:

Starbucks on a Sunday

 

Date: 15/9/2013

Background: What is better than a lazy rainy Sunday than chatting with coffee and cake? Nothing, that’s what! Unless maybe we took away the rain?

What: Cinnamon Swirl

How much?:  £2.50?

What was Good: For someone who is not normally a pastry person, this really caught my eye! With its topping of white smooth icing and golden flaky dough, I really wanted to eat it as soon as I saw it! What I love most about eating this delicious sweet bready delight, is getting to slowly unfurl it from itself, so you get the changing texture from firm yet chewy on the outside, to soft and light, melt-in-the-mouth in the middle. And the squidgy fruit and tangy orange cream cheese icing added to the great delight I gained from choosing this confection over my usual chocolate/muffin option.

What was Bad: I probably would have enjoyed a touch more cinnamon actually. But otherwise, next time I go to Starbucks, I will definitely be choosing a Cinnamon whirl again!

Would I have it again: See above. Yes I certainly would!

Waffle-o-meter:

Pudding is what it is all about

 

I know I have been more than useless in posting blogs as of late. It has been a little tricky! But BOY I have enjoyed some delicious treats recently! I still find I turn to pudding in times of stress! Because that feeling of a warm, comforting ball of happiness in your tummy is a very life affirming experience! Over exaggerating? Never!

THIS is a Cherry, Chocolate and Red Velvet cupcake. It was bittersweet, and soft, yet substantial, with a beautiful cherry flavour!

My friend Nikki made these, and quite frankly, I would happily eat them again!!!

Red velvet has really hit the pudding scene (if such a thing exists) lately, and I would be quite excited to try out the recipe myself!

ERMAGHERD! This was possibly the most deliciously decadent and stupendous Sticky Toffee Pudding known to man on this good earth.

We bought it from Lidl. YES! Lidl! So not only was it incredibly cheap and cheerful. It was outstandingly delicious.

As me and my mother and father were sat eating this there was a hush of content silence within the room. An unspoken rule that this pudding requires out full, undivided attention. The treacle was thick and sticky, and the cake soft and moist. When served hot with vanilla ice cream, what more could you possibly need in life?

Picture this. King’s Heath’s very first Yum Yum Market. Set up in the centre of King’s Heath, Birmingham. An array of food stalls selling their goods, with queues across the square despite the weather. I saw a stall, this stall stood out to me immediately and grabbed my attention. Fresh Belgian Waffle!!!! OH WOW! So yes, I did queue for around 20 mins. And yes they did give me a waiting time for my waffle of a further 20mins (this extended to nearer 40…) BUT I was so so excited for my ‘Half n Half’ Chocolate Cinnamon and Chocolate Brownie Belgian Waffle. If you remember my last German Market Belgian Waffle experience was simply divine, so needless to say my expectation was high.

Sadly I was disappointed. It was a bit stodgy, and as my friend Nikki said, I probably didn't give it long enough to “settle” lol. But if the queue were shorter, waiting time was less, then I would probably still return! The clawing seduction of pudding will always attract my attention!!!

DUN DUN DUN!!!! The return of the 5 Waffle pudding! And yes, another waffle. AND YES, It is the Frankie and Bennie’s Waffle for the very beginning.

I want to say it was as good as I remember. It was not. In fact it looked and tasted like a different pudding all together! Still a good 4 waffles obtained for this desserty goodness!

Certainly less disappointing than my King’s Heath Waffle Drama!

 

 

I DIDN’T EVEN BUY ANYTHING FROM THIS SHOP! BUT IT SOLD PUDDING! AND IT IS A SHOP CALLED “FANNY’S”!!!!!!!!!!

Considering how much I enjoyed writing my pudding blog before, and how successful it was, I really hope that this will be the start of my second wind of pudding blogs! After all, I am still in love with all things Pudding. And I would like to express this to my lovely and very loyal readers!!

Weightwatchers® (Friendly) Carrot Cake Buns

Date: 16/1/13

Background: Being on Weightwatchers® because I want to lose some weight to be healthier and feel more confident, it naturally means that some of my decadently delicious puddingy treats are at least for the time being off the menu. So I thought that, in order to continue enjoying pudding and blogging, I would try and make some weight watchers® friendly cakey treats! So here is my first attempt-with my favourite type of cake!

What: Weightwatchers® (Friendly) Carrot Cake Buns

How Much: Free… Well I had all the ingredients in my Mum’s store cupboard

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Ingredients:

• 250g Self Raising Flour
• 2 whole eggs
• 50g Margarine-melted
• 175mls Skimmed Milk
• 55g Caster Sugar & 55g Soft Dark Brown Sugar
• 225g Carrots-grated
• Zest of an Orange
• 50g Raisins
• 1tsp Cinnamon
• 1tsp Ground Ginger
• 1 tsp Mixed Spice
• 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

To Decorate:

• 10tsp Icing Sugar
• Enough water to make it into a thick runny paste

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 170C/Gas Mark 4
2. Mix together the “wet ingredients” i.e. melted margarine, milk, vanilla and eggs
3. Stir in the carrot, orange zest and raisins
4. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices
5. Milk the sugar into the other “dry ingredients”
6. Pour the “wet ingredients” into the dry ones and mix together until combined (try not to over beat)
7. Pour the mixture into 16 prepared cake cases in their respective tins
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a skewer into the centre of the cake comes out clean
9. Allow to cool then decorate with 1/2tsp-1tsp icing
10. Eat and Enjoy!

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What was Good: It was a really light cake! Subtly spiced and with the added bonus of a little squidgey nugget of fruit as you eat it. It was moist and tasty and tasted very much like a carrot cake you would eat that was not weightwatchers® friendly! One of the best things that I found was that because it was so low in pro-points®, I could eat it without feeling guilty!

What was Bad: My icing went wrong… As you can tell… I only had 10tsp of icing sugar to work with, and I added too much water. But it did not detract from the taste of the cake! I think next time I would add more spices, to add a slightly less subtle flavour to the cake. I would also like to add some chopped walnuts to the mix, however this would up the pro-points® per serving.

Would I make them again?: Yes, give me a nice guilt-less cake anyday!

Strawb-rometer:



Pro-points® per serving:  4



WEIGHT WATCHERS and ProPoints^® are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and are used under license by WeightWatchers.com, Inc.

Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding with Nutella®

 

Date: 14/12/12

Background: Basically, because I cannot get back to Rugby for Christmas Day, my parents decided to come up to Brum to visit, and to deliver and return presents for extended family, friends and loved ones. I cooked them a yummy Roast Chicken Dinner, and to accompany it, a very Winter Warming dessert. The general principle is from the delightful Mary Berry, but the additions and adjustments are my own .

What: Chocolate Chip Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding with Nutella®

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Ingredients:

• 6 Chocolate Chip Brioche buns
• 2 tbsp. Nutella®
• Handful/30g dried mixed fruit
• 2 eggs
• 600mls milk
• Half tsp. Cinnamon
• Butter for greasing
• Ice cream/Cream to serve

Method:

1. Pre heat oven to 200C, Gas Mark 5
2. Grease a 10inch/Equivalent ovenproof dish with butter
3. Slice each Brioche bun horizontally in half
4. Melt the Nutella® in the microwave for 10secs to make it easy to spread
5. Spread a thin layer of Nutella® onto each brioche bun half
6. Layer the bun bases onto the bottom of the dish, Nutella® side up
7. Top the bun bases with the Brioche tops, Nutella® side down, slightly off centre to the bases, so that all gaps to the dish are covered
8. In between the layers and on top, scatter the mixed fruit
9. Mix together the eggs and milk
10. Pour the custard mixture over the Brioche buns
11. Sprinkle the cinnamon of the top of the pudding and leave to stand for at least an hour to allow the bread to soak up some of the custard mixture
12. Cook in the pre-heated oven for 40minutes, or until the pudding is golden on top, and the custard mixture is set completely
13. Serve immediately with cream/ice cream

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What was Good: Oh my days. It was so satisfying and warm! With the weather being anywhere between –4 and 6C, a cockle-warming dessert is just what the metaphorical doctor ordered! I am not normally a massive bread and butter fan, but with the flavour of the warm brioche, and melted Nutella®, oozing throughout the pudding, this was a definite winner for me. Served with the cold ice cream, the hot and cold combo was as always a box ticker in my eyes! The fruit was a bread and butter pudding must have, and because they had had around 2 hours to soak up the custard mixture, they had become plump and juicy. It was also surprisingly light, it was not overly cloy-y and it did not stick to my stomach lining like some traditional puds. I would happily make this dessert again, and I look forward to eating the cold left overs tomorrow!

Enjoyment VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

What was Bad: There is something about the texture of a bread and butter pudding that does not float my boat… But the flavour of this particular confection made it a winner despite this!

Would I Make It Again?: Yes I would!

Waffle-O-Meter:

^Reference:

^{Berry, M (2012) Mary Berry’s Complete Cookbook. 3rd ed. London: Covent Garden Books. P399}

Disappointing Peach Crumble! :(

 

Date: 5/11/12

Background: Remember, remember, the 5th of November! After a day at work, Stacey and I really fancied something Autumnal and comforting to set us up for a Bonfire Night-in! So delicious Hot Sausage Rolls and homemade Potato Wedges and salad were in store! And for pudding?

What: Peaches with a Crunchy Crumble Topping

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Ingredients:

• Tin of sliced peaches
• 1 bag of Crumble mix (This was a BIG mistake!)
• 50g chopped hazelnuts
• 100g porridge oats
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• To serve: Vanilla ice cream and Toffee Sauce

Method:

1. Drain peaches and pour into the bottom of a large ovenproof dish
2. Mix together the oats, hazelnuts, crumble mix and cinnamon
3. Pour over the peaches and compress slightly
4. Place in a preheated oven at 180C for 40mins or until golden brown
5. Serve with ice cream and a drizzle of toffee sauce

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What was Good: NOTHING. Slight exaggeration… Well… It Looked yummy! The fruit was soft and sweet and well cooked. The crumble which had caramelised around the edges and gone chewy and crumble like also had a lovely taste. And when mixed with the ice cream, there was also a fairly sweet, spiced flavour and fair texture from the crumble mix. HOWEVER…

What was Bad: THIS WAS A MASSIVE FAILURE! I have never used a crumble mix before, because I always usually use my Grandma’s crumble recipe. But because I was being lazy and it cost 33p a bag I thought what the heck?! I wish I hadn’t. Whether it was just because I bought a cheap (Tesco branded) crumble mix, because I was silly and added extra ingredients to it or because I did not have the will power to keep it in the oven for long enough.. I do not know. Either way, eating cinnamon flavoured sandy grit with hot peaches may have been a similar mouth drying effect, and when eaten on it’s own with no ice cream to moisten it, I similar flavour as well!

Waffle-O-Meter:

Who Knew Garden Centre's Were Hiding Such Marvels?

Date: 4/10/12

Background: Spending some time in Rugby with my Mumsy and G'rents- Mum wanted to go to a garden centre. So destination Bloom's!

How Much?: £2.95

What was Good: It was so homely looking! It could quite easily have been sat in a tin on my Grandma's kitchen work top on a Sunday afternoon! The top of the cake was decorated with what appeared to be glazed rings of dried apple. The cake itself was golden in colour and was sat proud in it's glass display, just waiting to be devoured.
The texture was crumbly, yet moist, not cloggy or stodgy, and was light enough to make eating the whole slice a delight, not a challenge. This was complimented by the sultana's within the cake. The flavour was very delicate actually, with an initial hit of spice from the mixed spice and cinnamon, and with an after-note of apple. This spiciness was partnered with the lovely filling, could it be cinnamon butter-cream? Or could it be a cinnamon flavoured cream cheese frosting? Regardless of what it was it was lovely, not too much and so did not make the pudding too sickly.
All in all, this was a beautiful cake! I would happily eat this again! Maybe I will start going to garden centres more often?

What was Bad: The only criticism would be the apple slices on the top of the cake. They were a bit too chewy and that is what made me think they were dried apple slices. I may be wrong but maybe fresh apple slices would be better? Other than that, I want more!

Waffle-O-Meter:

 

Keep you eyes peeled (get it ) for my next blog about my HOMEMADE Nigelissima Breakfast Banana Bread!

Waffle-ically Stupendous Waffle

Date: 6/8/12

Where: Frankie & Benny’s “The Fort” Birmingham

What: Cinnamon Waffle Crunch

How much?: £4.75

What was Good: This is the “Gold Standard” of in our opinion, not just waffle puddings but puddings in general!  The HOT cinnamon waffle gently melts the vanilla ice cream and also slightly goo-efies the chocolate honeycomb pieces topping it all. The perfect thing about this dessert was that the ice cream complemented the waffle, not overtook it, and so the whole pudding stayed warm which we savoured every mouthful. The chocolate sauce also, along with the honeycomb pieces, meant that you got a lovely little chocolate hit, but is perfect for those that do not want to have a chocolate overload! We were literally speechless whilst eating this pudding!

What was Bad: The Service at the Fort was not up to the normal F & B standard, but OMG there was nothing wrong with this pudding at all!!! SERIOUSLY!

Waffleometer:



*Drool*