Zia's - Favourites of 2012

2012 was the start of Zia's Sweet Delights and so far it has been a great journey so far. I am improving my technique everyday and growing to love baking more and more. 

I can feel a more creative side in me come out and for anyone who knows me, I am not artistic in any way. I pray that 2013 brings bigger and better things for Zia's. 

Anyway, without further ado, these are my favourite creations of 2012..!

Eid Cupcakes - Vegan Banana Cupcakes with Vegan Vanilla Buttercream (my first vegan attempt!)

Red Velvet Cake filled and icing with buttercream icing and decorated with fresh fruit and chocolate fingers

Zia's first ever order - Cake pops to represent the american flag (red velvet, chocolate and vanilla)

Mini Madeira cake loaves drizzled with a lemon glaze

A strawberry and vanilla cake filled and covered with whipped cream and topped with fresh fruit

French Macarons- the white macarons are filled with strawberry buttercream and the pink with nutella.

I realise I haven't been blogging as much as I would like due to work, orders and life in general getting in the way. Hopefully, this is something I can focus more on this year. 

A multitude of blessings for 2013..! 
Zia's xx  

 

Happy Halloween !!

Hey everyone..! Of course, I definitely had to make Halloween cupcakes..! I wasn't quite sure what I was doing but these ghoulish creations came out. 

I used writing icing for the skull and cross bones, spider-web and the spiders and also the Tim Robbins character. I used a flat-tipped nozzle for the mummy and sugar pearls for the eyes. It was definitely fun decorating these and can't wait to make more themed cupcakes. 

Enjoy your fright night xx

Coming soon.....My epic battle with French Macarons

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A Friday night with Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Cookies

For all you cookie monsters out there...! 

I made these cookies last Friday for some friends of mine. We were having a night in with some movies so I thought I would take these bad boys to the party. Nevertheless, they went down a treat..! 

I'd had the idea of peanut butter in a cookie for the whole day so when I got back from work, I trawled the internet for a recipe I would like. I found the recipe on lovintheoven.com which I adapted slightly to suit my taste ie. less sugar. I would definitely check out the website....it has literally oodles of recipes!!

I do have to say that the cookies were a bit too cake-like for my liking so next time, I might probably knock out the baking powder and add more sugar for something a bit more chewy...here goes! 

Ingredients:

160g all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder (do not recommend)
1/4 tsp salt
115g unsalted butter (at room temperature)
230g peanut butter (at room temperature)
50g sugar (original recipe calls for 150g)
55g packed light brown sugar (original calls for 110g)
1 egg (at room temperature)
1 tbsp coconut/almond milk
2 tsps vanilla extract
50g white chocolate chips

Method:

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees (fan). 
• Beat both butters and sugars together and then beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. 
• Then sift all the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. 
• Combine both wet and dry ingredients and mix in white chocolate chips until well combined. 
• Using a tablespoon or an ice-cream scoop, scoop onto a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper. 
• Bake for 12-14 minutes and Voila..! 

Peanut Butter and White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Enjoy..! xx

Mini Madeira Muffins

These were so easy to make and they looked so cute in their cases. Recipe coming up soon :)

Lonely Cupcake

My vanilla cupcake with peanut butter and dark chocolate buttercream topped with vanilla buttercream

The start of Zia's Sweet Delights

This is where it all started....

I made these cupcakes around 2010. I must have seen a recipe on the internet (my first go-to for recipes) and decided to try it out. 

The icing was too oily and the cupcakes were slightly hard - my aunt still devoured them though. She really encouraged me to continue practising and developing my hobby.

I've been baking for family and friends as favours but now that I'm out of university, I've been able to really focus on taking my hobby to the next level. 

So now, I have decided to start this blog and am currently working on starting a business. 

I'm not perfect but definitely working towards it. 

Enjoy Zia's,

x♥x