Wednesday 29 July 2009

BBB: Bakers Blogoversary Battenberg!

It all started with a little conversation like this, exactly one year ago...
ME: I’d like a blog…when I’m older I’ll start my own blog.
SISTER:Why not just start one now?
ME: *long pause* Because I can’t!
SISTER: Why? You bake enough!
ME: *long pause*
A couple of hours and some pootling on Blogger later, Teen Baker was born!
20I can’t believe that it has been a whole year since I started, with my first bake of Welsh Cakes! Although I don’t want this to become a soppy speech, I do feel like I’ve come a long way in this one year! And I do want to thank all you readers who comment here because thats what keeps me going! Marie, Steph, Jessy, Ash, George – and everyone! Thank you – I hope Teen Baker has many more years to come :)
To celebrate my first blogoversary, I made a Blogoversary Battenberg :)
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I’ve always liked battenberg cakes, even if purely for their pink and yellow checked prettiness. The thought of someone thinking, “hmm, if I dyed half my cake pink…and then stacked it checkerboard style..wouldn’t that be good?” just makes me smile :) In reality, the battenberg cake origin is not 100% certain but is thought to have been created in honour of the royal 1884 marriage between Queen Victoria’s granddaughter and the Prince Louis of Battenberg. The four cake squares in the cake are thought to represent all four Battenberg princes: Louis, Alexander, Henry, and Francis-Joseph.
14 Lots of desserts which look extra pretty often include extra hassle, extra work. Other than the final assembly, and perhaps one extra bowl – battenberg dispels this myth! Once you start investigating recipes and actually baking it: you realise how simple it is: just a sponge dyed different colours, layered and wrapped in marzipan! Proper layered sponge cakes are way more complicated because of the balancing act that goes on: with a battenberg loaf as long as the little rectangles of cake are even, the assembly is a pretty simple job.
28 I am proud of this cake and its checked glory – it tasted mighty good too :) I found the recipe here, except I used shop bought marzipan. This battenberg cake proves that again you can easily bake things which you normally buy! Hopefully its success is a good omen for the coming Teen Baker years!
PS. Im off on my summer holiday for two weeks now, but I have scheduled posts which should hopefully come up - including the most delicious ice cream, and part 2 of the chocolate museum!
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14 comments:

Elissa said...

This is so pretty! Congratulations on your blogoversary (and PS I'm a teen baker too!)

Ash said...

Happy Blogoversary!
This is the cutest little cake ever.
I look forward to more fabulous baking delights!

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Happy Blogoversary Lucy! This cake looks super yummy and moist. What a pretty color too! Well done and enjoy your little break :)

Steph said...

Congrats on your blogoversary! I always enjoy your blog because the desserts you make are always different.

Susan @ SGCC said...

Happy Blogoversary, Lucy! I'm so impressed by what you've done with this blog. It's refreshing to see a teen put so much effort into such a productive project!

Your cake looks scrumptious! Well done!

Palidor said...

Happy blogoversary! That you can bake all these amazing desserts at your age is simply amazing!! You should be really proud of yourself.

Lucy said...

Thankyou for all your lovely comments - they all made me blush and smile! I'm greatly enjoying Barcelona currently, and travel to France tomorrow. I'm taking many photos ready to blog about when I return. :)

Hannah said...

This cake is so adorable! I wanted to make a battenburg ages ago, but I guess I forgot and never got around to it. Now I'm all excited about it again- Love those colors!

Happy blogoversary, by the way!

George said...

Happy blog Birthday Lucy! Your cake looks perfect :)

apparentlyjessy said...

Wow! A whole year of blogging! Congratulations Lucy, this cake looks really awesome, and I was fascinated by its history! You should be proud! :)

Peabody said...

Happy Blogversary!
That cake looks so fun...and I love the pink.

Marie Rayner said...

Congrats on one year Lucy! Your Battenburg looks perfect! I have been wanting to make one for a long time now! I bet mine wouldn't look near as nice as yours!

Recetas al instante said...

this cake looks really good.
Congrats for your anniversary

Olga.

La Table De Nana said...

I have always wanted to make this since I first saw one..You have inspired me:)