bonfire night – Feasting Is Fun

Cinnamon Drizzle Apple Walnut Cake Bars

Today I have a real treat for you, my Cinnamon Drizzle Apple Walnut Cake Bars. Packed with freshly grated apple and toasted walnuts these cake bars are full of flavour. And a simple cinnamon drizzle adds just the right amount of sweetness, while the sugar nibs add extra crunch. Resulting in a simple traybake that is a treat on the tongue and the senses.

I adore Autumn. While gales and rain lash down, there are also the bright, golden sunshine filled days. Because of the variations in the weather, some days are perfect for gardening, having a tidy up, and picking fruit and windfalls. Yet when the weather rages I find comfort in the kitchen, baking delicious cakes that make the whole house smell warm and inviting. And when I can include produce from my own garden, such as the apples used in both the cake bars and photographs, I’m even happier.

Our Apple Trees

Due to the very hot summer we have had this year I wasn’t sure how well our two apple trees would fare. Because of the heat this years apples are sweeter than usual. While both our trees produce eating apples, one usually small, red and sweet, the other red and green, sharper in flavour. Similar to a Granny Smith apple’s flavour. As a result of the summer weather both varieties have a more intense apple flavour and are delicious to eat straight from the tree.

Since we have plenty of windfalls from the recent storms I have used them in the recipe. If you have access to windfall apples make the most of nature’s opportunity. Either use them to make these cake bars or perhaps my Apple Pie? Finally, a quick note, if you like puddings, then I should mention that this cake is delicious served with hot custard!

Recipe: Cinnamon Drizzle Apple Walnut Cake Bars make 16

300g/10.5oz Unsalted Butter at room temperature

300g/10.5oz Soft Light Brown Sugar

1/2tsp Sea Salt

4 Large Free Range Eggs

2tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey.

375g/13oz Plain White Flour

4tsp Ground Cinnamon

1tsp Ground Ginger

3tsp Baking Powder

200g/7oz Chopped Walnuts

350g/12oz Grated Apple (peeled and cored)

For the cinnamon drizzle

225g/8oz Icing Sugar (confectioners sugar)

3tsp Ground Cinnamon

2-3 tbsp Cold Water

Optional – Pearl or Nibbed Sugar – I use Dansukker Parlsocker available from Amazon

For this recipe you will need a 22.5cm x 30cm x 5cm (9” x 12” x 2”) tin lined with baking parchment.

Making and baking the cake:

Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan, 375F, gas mark 5.

First of all add the butter, soft, light brown sugar and salt to a large bowl. Due to the quantity of ingredients I found a wide bowl easier to use.
Beat the sugar and butter together until creamy with no visible lumps.
Add the 4 eggs, 75g/3oz of flour and the spices to the bowl. Whisk everything together until fully combined.
Sieve the remaining flour and baking powder into the bowl and added the chopped walnuts.
Because some apples turn brown quickly once cut or grated I add them last.
Finally fold all of the ingredients together until they are just combined.

Spoon the cake batter into the prepared tin and ensure the batter is even and the top is smooth.
Place the cake tin into the centre of a preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.
The cake is baked when it is golden in colour and firm (with only a little give) to touch in the centre.
As soon as the cake is baked remove from the oven and leave to cool completely in the tin.

Portioning and decorating the cake bars:

Add the icing sugar and cinnamon to a large jug. Using a balloon whisk, stir the two powders to combine and break up any lumps.
Pour 2 tablespoons of cold tap water into the jug and stir using the whisk. Add more water as needed until a thick, not runny consistency is achieved.
Decant the cinnamon icing into a piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle. Alternatively use a plastic sandwich bag and just prior to decorating cut a very small hole in one corner, this also applies to disposable piping bags.
To prepare the cake for decorating first of all cut across the width of the cake, dividing it in half. Now cut from top to bottom in the middle of the cake creating 4 quarters. Cut each quarter into 4 bars from top to bottom.
While you can decorate the cake as a whole, I like to see the drizzle of icing on each cake bar.
Separate the bars and place on to a cooling rack over a baking tray, to catch any drips.

Use gentle, steady pressure to pipe diagonally across each cake bar. Continue piping until each bar is iced.
Sprinkle some sugar nibs over each bar while the icing is still wet.
Place to one side to allow the icing to set.

Finally take a photo of your creation! Because your house will smell amazing and these cake bars will not last long.

Store the bars in an airtight container. They will keep for 5 days. Refrigerate during warmer weather.

The cake can be made a day in advance and decorated the following day.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Cinnamon Drizzle Apple Walnut Cake Bars you may also like these:

Easy Blackberry Oat Muffin Recipe

Maple Drizzled Apple Blueberry Loaf Cake

Autumn Apple Almond Cake

Traybakes are made for sharing:

With Bonfire Night, November 5th not far away these cake bars are perfect for sharing. Whether you are going to an organised event, holding a bonfire party in your back garden, or simply watching from your window, everything about these cake bars will elicit oohs and aahs! Because they are so yummy, they deserve to be made and enjoyed all year round.

Whatever you are making, baking and creating in your kitchens, have fun preparing and sharing your feast.

Sammie xx

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy for details.

Autumnal fruit and nut traybake with spiced icing. — Apple and walnut cake bars with a cinnamon icing drizzle.

Marbled Chocolate Orange Bonfire Cupcakes

“Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and plot.” Bonfire night, celebrated here in the U.K. on November 5th, each year remembers the over thrown plot, lead by Guy Fawkes, to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Bonfires are lit and fireworks set off in remembrance of this foiled attack. Standing around a bonfire with a hot chocolate and something sweet on a cold Autumn night only enhances the celebration. While these Marbled Chocolate Orange Bonfire Cupcakes are ideal for eating, watching fireworks explode in the night sky.

While s’mores are traditionally eaten around a bonfire, this is not possible if attending an organised event. Something the Fire Services are increasingly urging us all to do for safety reasons. Yet these Marbled Chocolate Orange Bonfire Cupcakes can be eaten wherever you are. Even indoors watching through the windows, whilst keeping pets calm from the loud bangs and crackles. I love the idea of an edible bonfire that can be taken anywhere, without fear of danger.

Using Wright’s Chocolate Fudge and Orange Cake mixes, marbled together creates a delicious cupcake. I topped them with flame like, piped orange butter cream, jelly lemons, chocolate orange matchmakers and a sprinkle of edible glitter, not only are these cupcakes tasty to eat, they are also fun to make and look at! Also the ‘bonfires’ do not need to be checked for hedgehogs or other small mammals. Something that should always be done by anyone hosting their own bonfire party.

While the sparkles, whooshing sounds and spectacular colours of fireworks are stunning, for me, being close enough to feel the warmth of a bonfire on my face really is my favourite part of bonfire night. I love the crackle, hissing and spitting of wood as it burns is mesmerising. Also, wrapping jacket potatoes in foil and placing in the fire itself is so much fun. Unwrapping piping hot potatoes, slathering with butter before tucking into them with a fork is one of life’s simplest pleasures.

Meanwhile, while the potatoes are baking, mugs of steaming hot chocolate perfectly accompany these delicious cupcakes. Since juggling a hot drink and a cupcake can be challenging, I suggest removing the wrappers before serving. Hot drink in one hand, cupcake in the other, with no finger acrobatics needed to enjoy both.

Recipe: Marbled Chocolate Orange Bonfire Cupcakes makes 24

1 packet each of Chocolate Fudge and Orange Cake Mixes available from Wright’s Baking

Note: If you are unable to obtain the cake mixes, alternatively use the recipe for Caramac Frosted Chocolate Cupcakes

adding finely grated zest of one orange to the cake batter.

450g/1lb Icing Sugar

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

225g/8oz Unsalted Butter softened to room temperature

Scant Pinch of Salt – I use Maldon

Orange Food Colouring

1 Box Chocolate Orange Matchmakers

Optional – small lemon jellies and red/blue edible sprinkles

To make 12 cupcakes, use half of each bag of cake mix and icing.

Method: Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan, gas mark 4

First of all, fill 2 deep muffin tins with 24 cupcake/muffin cases.
Make both the Orange and Chocolate Fudge cake mixes up in separate bowls according to the packet instructions.
Spoon half a dessert spoonful of orange cake batter into each cupcake case. Now scoop a whole dessert spoonful of Chocolate Fudge cake batter on top of the orange. Follow by adding another half of a dessert spoonful of orange batter on to the top of the chocolate.
Using a cocktail stick, swirl the two different cake batters together.
Place the cupcake tins, spaced evenly apart, into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

As soon as the cupcakes are well risen and spring back from a light touch they are baked.
Remove the cupcake tins from the oven and immediately transfer the cupcakes to a cooling rack. Leave until completely cooled before decorating.
To make the icing, sift the icing sugar into a large bowl. Add the softened butter, salt, vanilla extract and food colouring to the same bowl.
Next add one tablespoon of very hot water. Immediately start whisking the ingredients together on a slow speed, increasing the speed as they combine.
Continue whisking until the buttercream is pale and creamy, adjusting the colour if necessary.
Once fully whisked transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a 1cm round nozzle.
Staring in the centre of a fully cooled cupcake pipe a dot and pull away the piping bag. This will leave a small peak which will resemble flames.
Continue until the top of each cupcake is covered.

To create the bonfire effect, break up 2 or 3 matchmaker sticks and push into the icing so they look like logs on a bonfire.
Follow by adding the jellied lemons. Angle them outwards from the ‘logs’ to give the effect of flames licking at the wood.
Finally, to finish sprinkle first with red edible glitter and then again with slightly less blue edible glitter.

Display the finished cupcakes on wooden boards, or slabs. Chopping boards and cheese boards can also be used to great effect.

The marbled combination of chocolate and orange can be seen and tasted with the first bite into a cupcake.

Easy to make and ideal for any firework party gathering. These cupcakes are sure to induce as many ooh’s and aah’s as the firework’s themselves.

Make ahead and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

If you have enjoyed this recipe for Marbled Chocolate Orange Bonfire Cupcakes then you may also like these:

Caramel Crunch Rocky Road Bars

Spicy Sausage Rolls

Chocolate Sparkle Cake

Democracy is of upmost importance here in the U.K. Since this is exactly why we celebrate Bonfire Night. Since the very night that our democracy was due to be blown to pieces, by a group of men with different ideas, our freedom and democracy are celebrated and not taken for granted. While the very same can be said of terrorists and terror events in the modern day. People seeking disrupt and create chaos in countries where their ideas are not followed. Our privilege to speak freely, practice our own faith, without causing harm to others, is something that we must and should hold dear.

If you would like more information please see Important Stuff

Whatever you are making, baking and creating have fun preparing your feast. Also have a safe Bonfire Night.

Sammie xx

Wright’s Baking provided the cake mixes to create this recipe. All thoughts, opinions and content are my own. I was not paid to write this post.

No part of this post may be reproduced or duplicated without the written permission of the owner. Please see my Disclosure Policy

Chocolate Sparkle Cake

Ooh hello my lovelies, have I got a treat for you today? Yes of course I have and a dazzling one at that. Welcome to my Chocolate Sparkle Cake!

A sparkling star covered celebration bake perfect for bonfire night, New Year’s Eve and Halloween. — Chocolate Sparkle Cake

It’s ok you can read through once you’ve looked at all the photo’s – I would!!!

So, this cake was inspired by Bonfire Night ( November 5th if you’re not from the UK). Our children were being taken to an amazing fireworks party by my wonderful sister and brother-in-law, along with their cousins.

While they were out I wanted to make a cake, that on their return would make them say “Wow” and remind them of the fun they’d had.

It has to be chocolate:

So being our children meant this had to be a Chocolate Cake. I wanted a deep, chocolatey, moist cake, smothered in thick, glossy, chocolate ganache and then topped with as many sprinkles I could get my hands on.

Thus the Chocolate Sparkle Cake idea was formed in my head.

A slice of dreamy Chocolate Sparkle Cake.

And, knowing that I didn’t want a layer cake, it was important to ensure the cake itself was as moist as possible. Since adding cocoa to any batter has a drying effect, so to counter that I added sour cream.

I’d seen Ina Garten add it to many of her bakes and figured it was worth a try. Yep I was winging it yet again!

Oh my. I soo made the right decision. Because you cannot taste the sour cream in the baked cake, however, the baked cake has such a moist, tender crumb. This is one ingredient I will be experimenting with more, that’s for sure.

A chocolate cake decorated to look like a galaxy of stars. — Chocolate Sparkle Cake

What really sends this cake over the top flavour-wise is the addition of liqueur to the chocolate ganache. I happened to have an unopened bottle of Chocolate Bailey’s Luxe. So I added some. Mmm another brilliant decision, I was truly on a roll!

I only used a small amount and it is totally fine to leave it out altogether. Our youngest is 13 years old so I was happy for him to have a very small, diluted amount.

I would say that this cake is both decadant and rich. All three of our children and all the adults loved it. I’m not sure if it’s richness would be enjoyed by younger children, even with the absence of liqueur?

Recipe : Makes 1 x 10″ Chocolate Sparkle Cake

For the cake:

275g/10oz Unsalted Butter at room temp.

150g/5oz Soft Light Brown Sugar

150g/5oz Caster Sugar

5 Large Eggs – I always use free range

1tsp Vanilla Extract – I use Nielsen-Massey

225g/8oz Plain White Flour

100g/4oz Cocoa Powder

2.5tsp Baking Powder

1/4tsp Salt – I use Maldon

200ml/7fl oz Full Fat Sour Cream

Alternatively – Wright’s Baking Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix would also work really well for this cake if you haven’t the time or energy to bake from scratch. Follow the packet instructions for baking and then decorate as given below.

For the topping:

100g/4oz Dark Chocolate minimum 70% Cocoa

200g/7oz Milk Chocolate minimum 35% Cocoa

300ml/ 1/2 pint Double Cream

Optional – 2Tbsp Bailey’s Chocolate or Bailey’s liqueur

Assorted sprinkles, stars and ebible glitter dust

Method : Preheat the oven 170C/150C fan, gas mark 3, 325F

Making the Cake:

First of all, butter the base and sides of a 10″ Springform cake tin. Line the base of the tin with baking parchment paper.

Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together. These are your dry ingredients.

Crack all the eggs into a jug, add the vanilla extract and lightly beat with a fork to break up.

In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

Add one third of your dry ingredients and mix slowly, as they start to incorporate add half of your eggs. Continue mixing until all the ingredients are almost incorporated.

Repeat this step again.

Add the last of the dry ingredients until thoroughly mixed. Be careful not to overmix, as the cake will be heavy.

Fold in the sour cream to the chocolate cake batter.

Delicious, moist, chocolate cake batter.

Fill the cake tin with batter and smooth the top.

Place the cake tin in the middle of the oven and bake for 50 minutes.

The cake is baked when an inserted skewer comes out clean. If after 50 minutes the cake is still not fully baked, place back in the oven and re-check at 5 minute intervals.

As soon as the cake is baked remove the oven.

Don't worry about the small crack it will reduce and we are turning the cake over to frost!! — Don’t worry about the small crack it will reduce and we are turning the cake over to frost!!

Allow the cake to cool for 15 minutes before removing from the tin.

To remove, release the springform lever, remove the outer ring of the tin.

Place a cooling rack on top of the cake and invert.

The cake is now bottom side up on the cooling rack. Remove the tin base and gently peel off the baking parchment paper.

Place to one side and allow the cake to cool completely.

Making the topping:

Break or chop the chocolate into small chunks. Place in a heat proof bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water (double boiler), ensuring the base of the bowl does not touch the water.

Add the cream. And stir. The more you stir the glossier the ganache will be.

Keep stirring the chocolate/cream until the chocolate has completely melted.

Remove from the double boiler, add the liqueur and stir well. Set aside to cool and thicken.

The ganache is ready to use when it is thickened but still pourable (but not runny).

Chocolate Sparkle Cake - have your frosting and decorations ready and to hand before you start icing the cake. www.feastingisfun.com — **Chocolate Sparkle Cake** – have your frosting and decorations ready and to hand before you start icing the cake. www.feastingisfun.com

Once completely cool place the cake on a stand or board.

Chocolate Sparkle Cake pour the thickened ganache onto the top of the cake. www.feastingisfun.com — **Chocolate Sparkle Cake** pour the thickened ganache onto the top of the cake. www.feastingisfun.com

Chocolate Sparkle Cake gently smooth the ganache over the entire top of the cake and push over the sides so it drapes over the edge of the cake. www.feastingisfun.com — **Chocolate Sparkle Cake** gently smooth the ganache over the entire top of the cake and push over the sides so it drapes over the edge of the cake. www.feastingisfun.com

I tapped the cake stand a couple of times against the table, to release any air bubbles trapped in the ganache. As a result, the swirled effect at the bottom of the cake was a result of my tapping!

Decorating the Cake:

Chocolate Sparkle Cake now get sprinkling! I started with white chocolate stars and the smaller edible gold stars. www.feastingisfun.com — **Chocolate Sparkle Cake** now get sprinkling! I started with white chocolate stars and the smaller edible gold stars.

Get creative, use whatever decorations you like. Because the chocolate ganache is so gloriously glossy, it provides the perfect canvas.

I finished the cake with a dusting of holographic edible glitter.

Because more is more. Right??

Chocolate Sparkle Cake with a galaxy of edible stars.

I almost called this Chocoale Sparkle Cake ‘Starry, starry night’ (Vincent), after one of my very favourite songs by Don McLean!

Because of the glossy, sparkly nature of this cake, as well as the moist, deep chocolate flavour, with a lingering background hit of Bailey’s, this could easily make a beautiful alternative to traditional Christmas cake.

When I look at this Chocolate Sparkle Cake it just screams ‘Party’! The perfect chocolate, celebration cake.

Everyone loved this cake and we also celebrated the safe arrival of a friend’s baby with a slice. Because it is a rich cake, a little goes a long way, meaning there is more to share.

Also, it keeps really well in a cake tin for 5 days. And yes it did last that long!!