Rose Chocolate and Ganache Cake

Some of you might remember late last year that I made a very similar cake for a guy in the UAE who wanted to surprise is his girlfriend for her birthday....if you need to jog your memory, you can check that post out here. 

Anyway, it turns out that the cake was such a hit, that the same family whose daughter received the cake, ordered one almost exactly like it so that they could take it to a function that they were attending...I love reorders like that!  What a great reason to bake such a beautiful cake! :)

Dessert for Dyl...it's about time!

 

You will remember my friend Dyl, from last week when I posted about the Whoopie Pies...and given that he has been living in the UK for the last couple of years, he has not had the pleasure of sampling My Favourite Cupcake's delicious treats....so while he was here, I decided that was something that definitely had to be fixed!

I had a couple of people over for dinner, and dessert was chocolate cupcakes with white chocolate icing, topped with fresh strawberries dipped in milk chocolate....I'll be honest, they were pretty mouth watering! :)

Dyl my friend, it was lovely to have you to stay for a while - I'm glad that I finally got the chance to give you a sample of my "hobby"...you've been such a great supporter from the start, it was only fair you got you own batch!
 
Come back and visit again soon :)

xxx

Chocoate Ganache Cake with love from the UAE

Who knew that MFC would ever get into online gifting!  I love this story, because it is another one of those stories about a foreigner remembering a local birthday.....I'm such a sucker for romance!  All you foreigners sending cakes from afar....it's my favourite part of this job!

Anyway, I digress....back to the real story....

A guy from the UAE mailed me last month (in fact it was almost 2 months ago now....plenty planning went into this cake) asking about cakes that he had seen on my website, he explained that he lived in the UAE and wanted to send a cake to his lady who lives in Durbs.  

I sent him a couple of pics and he was quite sure about what he wanted - cake, tick!  

....But that was not enough for this guy!  His lady was way more special than just a cake!  So, he asked me to arrange some flowers and a special birthday gift as well.  In the end we decided on a pamper parcel - a basket filled with all sorts of delightful things to make her feel pampered and special....so she would know that her guy was thinking of her......so sweet hey! :)

Now I know you are probably wondering what goes into a pamper parcel, so I have included some pics of the basket and the flowers.....but not the actual content of the parcel - some things still get to be personal and private for the couple involved....sorry guys!  I will give you a hint though - think of all things feminine and gorgeous....chocolates and Turkish delight, beautiful creams and soft slippers....you get the general idea! :)

So, for those of you foreigners who are feeling far from home and would like to do something special for those you love.....Christmas is just around the corner.....and MFC has this online gifting thing down....so whether your request is big or small, cake or no cake....send us an email - we would love to help you out!

Black and White Chocolate Cupcakes

My parents have been married for 30 years today....that is longer than I have been alive!  I think it is amazing....how many people can say that these days - it is a true inspiration!

We went away as a family this last weekend to a game farm near Phinda....such a beautiful weekend away in the bush with our family....it was awesome! :) I made these chocolate cupcakes to celebrate their anniversary, and we made a special family dinner - loved it!

Happy anniversary Mum and Dad - I love you guys
xx

Lucky Ladybug Cupcakes

My friend and flatmate Haylea (who some of you may remember from SA Idols) is singing in a musical production called Just Muzicals. The show starts tonight and will be running for the next two weekends at the Rhumbelow Theatre...she has one of the leading singing roles...fancy pants isn't she! :)

She has been working so hard for the past few months, going to countless auditions late into the night, all the while finishing up with her varsity exams....total dedication...its actually been really impressive and I am very proud of her!

Last night I got to thinking that it would be nice to make her some special cupcakes to wish her luck for the show, so I baked her these cute lucky ladybug cupcakes....just to let her know that I am thinking of her....

Halsie my friend, good luck with the show – I know you are going to be awesome!  
I am so looking forward to seeing all your hard work in real life! :)
Break a Leg!
xx

For anybody out there who would like to go and check out the show, you can read more about it on the Company Of Theatre Arts website, or you can check out what IOL had to say about it....alternatively, you can go straight through to Computicket and purchase your tickets for the show there.  

 

Venue: Rhumbelow Theatre, Cunningham Rd, Umbilo Supper Theatre (bring your own picnic, CASH BAR for drinks)

Cost: R100 per person

Friday 4th November 2011 (6.30pm for 8pm start)
Saturday 5th November 2011 (6.30pm for 8pm start)
Sunday 6th November 2011 (5pm for 6.30pm start)
Friday 11th November 2011 (6.30pm for 8pm start)
Saturday 12th November 2011 (6.30pm for 8pm start)
Sunday 13th November 2011 (5pm for 6.30pm start)

Your mother should have named you lovely

Today was my Indian's birthday, so I made him a cake to celebrate.  His favourite cake is maderia, but that seemed a bit boring for a birthday, so he got a personalised chocolate cake instead. (In truth the maderia cake that I baked had an argument with my oven, and my oven won)

The message on top was specially crafted to suit my friend - on a daily basis I hear the phrase "Your mother should have named you irritating" whenever I ask for artwork - it seemed only fair that a similar phrase appear on top of his birthday cake!

Happy Birthday Sel! 
I hope that this year you do not receive a Weber braai and that your friends buy the right watch...Heaven help them if they don't! ;)
Wishing you a great year ahead my friend.
x

Pretty in Pink Chocolate Birthday Cake

 

It's not often that I bake a cake that I really struggle to have to give away.....but this delicious chocolate number definitely tugged at my taste buds as I handed her over!

My friend Haylea ordered this cake for her sister-in-law Mags...my instructions were to "make something that she would want to eat her way out of"....it's not your average descriptor for a cake, but if you know Hales, then you will completely understand!

Hales - you are a great apprentice chef...I just can't leave you alone with the icing...if I did, there wouldn't be any to put on the actual cake! :)

Happy birthday Mags, this cake may not be as cute as your new puppy, but at least it was good enough to eat!

Peppermint Crisp Cake

Seeing as thought I was already baking cakes for the grannies and grandpas of Riverside, I thought I should show some love to my own Gran, so I made her this chocolate and peppermint crisp cake.  I had some of it yesterday with tea....and it was amazing....even if I sat so myself!  It was rich and creamy and delicious....if you have a sweet tooth, this one is most definitely for you! 

Red and Black Hens Party Cupcakes

It seems to be wedding season at the moment because I have been making tons of Hens Party goodies of late!  These particular cupcakes were ordered from Cape Town by a bridesmaid named Amy who flew down to Durban specially for the actual Hens party.....another story about a great friend....at My Favourite Cupcake we love that! :)

Hopefully these decedent chocolate cupcakes perfectly suited the black and red theme that the BM's have planned for their bride tonight....hope you girls have a fantastic evening! :)

Winter Wedding Cupcakes for Meg and James

 

I made these cupcakes for my sister Meg and new brother-in-law James' wedding.  It was held at The Old Halliwell Country Inn in the Natal Midlands.  They actually got married on the 2nd of July, but I have been really slow about getting together the pics from the wedding in order to post them on my blog.  It was the most beautiful wedding (and I'm not biased at all being the older sister here).....lots of handmade detail by the bride and groom, you could feel their presence in every little bit of the decor....absolutely stunning! 

The cupcakes I made are Meg's favourite - chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow topping covered in three types of chocolate drizzle....they were divine!  (You might have previously seen them here) Thanks to all the other bridesmaids for helping me out with these - made my job a lot easier to have so many helpful hands!

Janie and Jameson I wish you many happy years together.  

Love you both lots!

xx

Ok, now that I have said my bit, let's be honest....as is always the case with wedding's.....you don't want to see the cake, you want to see the bride....so here she is in all her splendor.....can you tell what a proud big sister I am :) .....

 

The photos in this last collage were taken by James Gibbs -  

you can find more of his work on his website  - click here

Chocolate Star Cupcakes for Gwyn

The time has come to say goodbye to our friend Gwyn (who is going to join our friend Gav in Hong Kong...he's her boyfriend).  Sad as I am to see her go, I am excited to their new adventure! :)

Gin my friend, enjoy the new adventure....I'm jealous of all the things you're going to see and do....not so much of young minds that you are going to have to educate along the way! ;) Keep a mattress ready for April...I'm coming to visit!  Love you friend xx

Chocolate Mousse Cups

The best thing about dinner is definitely dessert.....especially when it is dessert in the form of a decedent chocolate mousse cup! 

I made these mini chocolate mousse cups for a dinner party that I had recently....coz people in Durban never seem to want to cook for one another at their own home....it's so weird!  Anyway, I must have done something right, because three course later I was told by a friend that I had "started a revolution" (a dinner revolution that is), so I look forward to the next stop on this dinner club journey...and the best thing is that next time it will be another chef's turn to cook! :)

Wendy's Chocolate Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday Wendy for last week Tuesday...I was still on Holiday, but I hope this chocolate cake makes up for missing the actual birthday celebrations! ;)

Happy BIrthday Happiness

Today my domestic worker Happiness turned 22, so as part of her birthday present Meg and I gave her this chocolate cake.  She was so stoked - it is the first birthday cake that she has ever been given...makes my heart warm just to think about it...amazing what a difference something as little as a cake can make!

Happy Birthday Happiness
x

Chocolate Chuckle Cake

Chocolate cake + chuckles (the Woolies kind) = heaven.

Nuff said.

First birthday at Tag

I'm only two weeks into my new job and I have happy stumbled across the first birthday in the office :) Happy Birthday Jolandi, I hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow - I'm looking forward to the party this evening x

Project Pink Chocolate Cupcakes

Today I am heading to Cape Town for a Project Pink weekend away - I am going to see all the Oakley ladies and are going to share another weekend of great fun, outdoors activities and rocking shades.....I CANNOT WAIT!

I baked some cupcakes to take along with me - a little something sweet to start off what is going to be a great weekend - nothing wrong with that! :)

You can read all about the weekend here.

Surprise Cupcake Deliveries

This past weekend I was in Cape Town, to bake for a wedding, an while I was there, I thought I would do a couple of surprise deliveries to friends in the area, and of course to the old office :)

Chocolate Star Puffs

I've been paging through some foodie mags recently to find some new recipies....this one comes from the Pick n Pay mag....which I love...for those who don't know, it is called Fresh Living.  Every so often they include a little supplement called Fresh Ideas and these little puffs were inspired by the November 2010 edition.

It's something for all you chocaholics out there....chocolate and macadamia nut puffs with a little bit of cinnamon sugar sprinkle on top.  If you serve them warm, the chocolate just melts in your mouth....delicious! :) 

Quick and easy to make - especially if you cheat and but ready-made pastry* these tasty treats can be ready in less than 30 mins!  So for all you Mum's out there....there are real must if you have kinds parties coming up.

* To be honest, I am not advocating it - coz there is nothing quite like homemade puff - but I know peeps are busy, and sometimes ready-made is a necessary...pastry chef maybe, but human also! :)

Rocky Road Cupcakes

Meg and I had some people over for dinner last night, so that seemed like a good enough excuse to try out a new recipe....dum, dum, dum....I give you my Rocky Road cupcakes.  Basically they are chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow, nuts and chocolate bits in them - a total must for those who like nuts!