Hummingbird at home

A couple of weeks ago a friend gave me a copy of the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook and since then I have been looking for an excuse (and the time) to try out some of the recipes. Well the time hasn't really materialised but it being Mr W's birthday today provided the ideal opportunity for me to dust off my apron and whip up some cupcakes as a birthday treat for him last night.

I had prepared well, buying the right size eggs, full fat milk and taking the unsalted butter out of the fridge to soften prior to going to Brownies. However things started to unravel slightly as I was carefully measuring out the ingredients and realised that I was a bit short of cocoa powder. Not a lot I could do about that at 8.30pm on a Tuesday night with limited time to bake the cakes in secret before Stephen got back from running club and so I carried on regardless. After some gentle whisking the mixture was ready for transferring into the cupcake cases - I was a little surprised at how runny it was and there didn't seem to be enough to fill the cases to the specified level, but I refrained from panicking and instead put the tray in the oven. 20 minutes or so later they were done and didn't look too bad, even if I say so myself.

I then left the cakes to cool, persuaded Mr W on his return from running club that upstairs was way better than downstairs and that I definitely wasn't baking, before whipping up the frosting. Vanilla flavoured due to the aforementioned lack of cocoa powder! After five minutes of whisking the frosting as prescribed in the recipe my arms felt quite tired from holding the electric whisk in place (thank goodness I hadn't had to whisk manually!) but the results were worth it - obviously I had to have a little taste before putting it on the cakes, a girl wouldn't want to posion her hubby! A sprinkle of chocolate sprinkles and the cakes were finished - time for bed!

Fast forward to this morning and birthday tea in bed - add a candle to one of the cupcakes, locate matches to light said candle, a little bit of out-of-tune singing and you have one happy birthday boy!

Cupcakes

I went to The Hummingbird Bakery yesterday. I've been curious about it for a while having read and heard lots about it and so took advantage of a trip to visit a friend in Notting Hill to also visit this infamous cake shop.

I found the shop quite easily nestled amongst the antique shops, jewellery stalls and other quirky shops on Portobello Road and was slightly surprised by its diminutive size. A couple of tables out front for those who want to enjoy their cakes right there and then, and then a small interior with some glass fronted displays showing the days offerings - a few 'specials' and then trays of their 'standard' cupcakes all beautifully iced. I chose a selection of the latter which were quickly boxed up for me to take as a gift for my friend. The store is known for its red cupcakes but I couldn't see any available and to be honest I'm not totally sure if the idea appeals to me or not - I like my cupcakes light in both texture and colour!

Happily my friend suggested that we try some of the cupcakes when I arrived and I can confirm that they tasted as good as they looked. Lovely deep and fluffy sponge cakes topped with a generous swirl of creamy butter icing (I'm sure that I could make cakes just as tasty but my butter icing would definitely let me down) topped with some coloured sprinkles or piles of chocolate vermicelli! What on earth is there not to like?!

Being a 'local' my friend reported that there is always a long queue outside the shop on a Saturday when they walk past having bought their fruit and veg at the market, a fact for which she assures me she is grateful as otherwise it would be all to easy to succumb to the temptations of these wonderfully indulgent treats!