We held our Boozy Bakes event during the record breaking July heatwave, which caused more than a few problems! Our usual venue was somewhat warm and we were worried about whether the bakes would survive, so at short notice our friends at Cabinet Rooms (result – they have air conditioning!) kindly offered to host us instead. We were very grateful for the lovely cool environment in their impressive and comfortable underground Foreign Office!
Having to change venue at short notice wasn’t the extent of the problems though. The heat did also cause a few of our bakers issues with their preparations: the jelly on the Jaffa cake melted, the cheesecake filling wouldn’t set (uh oh, the indignity of a soggy bottom) and the Tiramisu ended up more like Tiramisoup. It was a bit like one of those Bake Off episodes where they’re all trying to work on their cakes actually inside the fridge. We have a lot more sympathy now for a bunch of amateur bakers trying to bake inside a hot tent!
Our Boozy Bakes theme inspired a range of bakes, using a good variety of different options from the drinks cabinet. Bakes featured beer, tequila, rum, Marsala wine, amaretto and Cointreau. No savoury bakes this month though. I’m guessing the heat put our bakers off from making a steak and ale pie, or a beer bread for example. Both perhaps a bit unseasonal!
Here’s a run down of the Boozy Bakes we enjoyed:
Let’s start with Mandy’s Beer and
Peanut Cupcakes – beautifully presented, moist and tasty. The peanut brittle stuff on top was particularly good.
Next Jayne’s stunning Mojito Cheesecakes, complete with a tequila shot and salt! Check out that vibrant lime jelly.
Cat’s Tiramisu was surprisingly her first ever. Given her love of all things Italian we were stunned she’d never made this classic before – and it was
gorgeous. Authentic and tasty without being too rich. Vicky’s Amaretto Sour Cake tasted just like a Bakewell Tart with that irresistible cherry and almond combination. We all went back for seconds. And despite looking a bit like a cowpat on a plate Chelsea’s Giant Boozy Jaffa Cake delivered exactly what it said on the tin.
Some great wines, beers and gins to accompany our bakes from Cabinet Rooms’ great selection rounded off a lovely, if somewhat boozy, evening.
Winchester Cakes and Bakes 