Recipe - Chocolate Victoria Sponge

I was in the mood to bake last week, I really wanted to do a chocolate cake. So I googled chocolate victoria sponge and found this recipe.

Cake Ingredients

150g caster sugar

150g butter, softened

110g self-raising flour

40g cocoa powder

3 medium eggs

Icing Ingredients

165g icing sugar

35g cocoa powder

100g butter, softened

1 tsp vanilla extract

water

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan assister/gas mark 6.

2. Cream together the butter and sugar, I always find using a wooden spoon much easier for this.

3. Sift in the flour and cocoa powder.

4. Add the eggs and mix together until combined.

I lined the bottom of my tins, with baking paper (you don't have to do this I just find it easier to get out)

5. Separate the mixture between the two tins, and bake for up to 15 minutes. I did mine for about 11, but every oven is different so keep an eye on them. You can test they're done by sticking in a knife, if it come's out clean then they're cooked.

6. Place on a cooling rack and cool completely.

7. For the icing add all the ingredients into a bowl and cream together. I also sifted the cocoa powder. Again I used a wooden spoon for this. The water is optional, I added a little at the end to make the icing a bit smoother and softer.

 8. Sandwich the two sponges together with some of the icing, and then spread the rest on the top (and sides if you have enough). I also added some mini eggs as decoration.

Recipe - Cheese Scones

I thought I would write a different kind of post for today. A baking post. I actually really enjoy it (and cooking isn't as bad as I first thought, haha!). I'd fancied making some cheese scones for a while, and I found a really simple recipe here, although I did adjust it a little.

I used:
225g self raising flour
A pinch of salt
55g butter
50g mature cheddar cheese
140ml whole milk

After tasting these I will probably go for 75g cheese next time, as we love cheese around here.

Preheat your oven to 220C/Gas Mark 7/425F. And also grease or line a baking tray,

Firstly you mix the flour and salt together, then add in the butter and rub it in with your hands.

Then mix in the cheese.

And the milk.

Put some flour down on the surface, and need the dough a little bit, press it flat until it's around 2cm thick, then cut out the scones. Keep going till all the dough is used up.

Place on your baking tray and brush with mik. Put in the oven for 12-15 minutes. I took mine out after about 13 minutes.

This is how mine turned out, lovely and brown. But not quite cheesey enough for me, and Ben didn't seem too impressed when I gave him one for lunch either. Will try him on another one tomorrow.