#NicaBakeOff: Mary Berry Style Roulade!

This week, for our #NicaBakeOff challenge, we decided to test out one of Mary Berry’s very own recipes, as we opted for a delicious chocolate roulade. - And with great success, as it tasted delicious!

We followed the recipe from BBC Food, and here’s how you can make your own:

Ingredients

175g finely chopped dark chocolate

6 free-range eggs

175g caster sugar

2tbsp cocoa powder

300ml double cream

Sprinkle of icing sugar

Step by Step

1) Pre-heat oven to gas mark 6

2) Grease the inside of a 33cm by 23cm swiss roll tin and cover with some greaseproof paper.

 

3) Simmer some water in a pan, and place a bowl over the top without touching the water in which you melt the dark chocolate.

4) Whisk the egg whites in a bowl until stiff but not dry. If you turn the bowl upside down, they shouldn’t fall out!

 

5) In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the sugar until thick and creamy.

 

6) Gently fold the melted chocolate into the whisked egg yolk mixture.

 

7) Gently stir 2 large spoonfuls of egg whites into the chocolate mixture, then, fold in the remaining egg whites with a metal spoon.

 

8) Sift the cocoa powder over the mixture and fold in.

 

9) Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 20-25 minutes until firm. 

10) When the cake is cool, lay down a piece of greaseproof paper on the table, dust slightly with icing sugar, and put the roulade on top.

11) Whip the cream until it holds shape and spread onto the cake leaving a 2cm boarder around the edges.

12) Roll up the cake to form the roulade shape. 

13) Finish with a gentle dusting of icing sugar. 

Then, all’s that's left to do, is sit down and enjoy a slice with a cup of tea! Have you been getting into the #GBBO spirit? 

If so, why not drop us a comment below and let us know what you’ve been baking? Or, why not share your baking photos with us @Nica_Handbags on Twitter or @nicahandbags on Instagram?

#NicaBakeOff: Simple Vanilla Cupcakes

Here at Nica HQ we’re all massive fans of the Great British Bake Off, so, in anticipation of watching the new series each week, we've decided to start our own #NicaBakeOff!

Each Wednesday, a member of Nica HQ will be sharing one of their delicious recipes with you right here upon our blog. Plus you can keep up with all of our bakes and sweet inspirations by following our new #NicaBakeOff Pinterest board! 

So, first up we’re beginning our bake off with some delicious vanilla flavoured cupcakes finished with vanilla butter icing. They’re super easy to make and only take around 40 minutes!

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 medium beaten eggs

75g self-raising flour

110g caster sugar

110g butter

2 – 3 drops Madagascan vanilla extract 

For the Butter Icing:

2 to 3 drops Madagascan vanilla extract
175g icing sugar
75g unsalted butter 
chocolate sprinkles

Step by Step 

1) Pre-heat oven to gas mark 4.

2) Beat 2 medium eggs in a bowl.

3) Mix together the butter and sugar with a wooden spoon.

4) Gradually mix in the beaten eggs.

5) Add the Vanilla extract.

6) Take a metal spoon and fold in the flour.

7) Place spoonfuls of the mixture into cupcake wrappers. 

8) Bake in the oven until golden brown and firm to the touch for around 15 to 20 minutes. 

9) Leave to cool before decorating with cream.

10) For the cream, mix together the unsalted butter with the icing, and add in the vanilla extract until the mixture is light and spreadable. If desired, add in some water until you achieve your preferred consistency.

11) Spread the cream upon the cooled cupcakes, and top with a dash of chocolate sprinkles. 

Et voilà! That's how easy it is. Have you been inspired by our baking? If so, why not show us your bakes by tagging us @Nica_Handbags on Twitter or @nicahandbags on Instagram. We can't wait to see.