These 4 brilliant bakes will put a smile on your face no matter what the weather.
February in a nutshell
But first my quick monthly recap on what's been happening on Recipes Made Easy and my other blog Only Crumbs Remain.
After spending January updating some older posts, February seems to have been all about pancakes. Well, it is pancake day the day this goes live!
I updated my old step by step post How to make Pancakes just to give it a slightly better layout and added a new video to go with it. Then each year I like to share one new sweet and one new savoury pancake recipe. For my savoury offering it was Pancakes Caprese with a filling inspired by the classic Italian Salad.
For my sweet offering, I was inspired by a 70's classic to make Black Forest Pancakes, which I posted on Only Crumbs Remain. Oh my goodness they are scrummy.
Also this month I have been working on creating some new videos and upgraded from a free to a paid programme, so that the videos I produce are reproduced at a better quality.
Finally, I was delighted when I was asked if I would like to become an ambassador for the Froothie Evolve high power blender, so I spent quite a bit of time putting it through its paces to see if it was as good as they said it was. I can honestly say it is probably the best blender I have ever used. I'm linking up my review below so do pop over and see just why I like it so much.
Brilliant Bakes
It would seem I'm not the only one who has been producing pancake recipes. Last week's #CookBlogShare hosted at A Strong Coffee featured a round up of pancake recipes and there were even more pancakes recipes linked up, so if you are still short of inspiration hop over and take a look.
But it wasn't only pancakes, so for this week's round-up I have chosen to feature 4 brilliant bakes from the recipes linked up last week. With the weather remaining wet, windy and miserable here, I felt we could all do with a bit of cheering up and there is nothing like a spot of baking for doing that.
Pornstar Martini cupcakes
Inspired by the Pornstar Martini Cocktail these pretty cupcakes from the Baking Explorer despite their name do not have any alcohol in them. The cupcakes are made with a lime and vanilla sponge, then filled with a fruity passion fruit curd. On top is prosecco buttercream, and a drizzle of fresh passion fruit. Now I bet they have cheered you up already.
Double Chocolate Orange Cake
This light and fluffy orange flavoured cake from Curly's Cooking is made by the really easy all in one method and is decorated with a tangy orange icing. It's a pretty everyday cake that is bound to bring a little sunshine into your life.
Belgian Buns
These classic buns from cooking with my kids are similar to Chelsea buns and have a filling of lemon curd and sultanas. The buns are then topped off with icing and a cherry on top. It really is hard to beat a homemade bun and a little indulgence like this is sure to brighten your day.
Gluten free Choux pasty and chocolate eclairs
The Gluten Free Alchemist shared her well-tested recipe for gluten free recipe for choux pastry. Kate developed the recipe back in 2013, after she and her daughter received a positive Coeliac diagnosis. Eclairs and profiteroles were a treat they both (understandably) missed.
She also lots of helpful tips for making choux pastry some of which are true for both gluten free and regular choux pastry.
Janice Pattie
So many wonderful recipes. I do love a nice bun and these ones look the business.
Rosemary
Lots of inspiration for fantastic pancake recipes here. I love pancakes and cook them all through the year - not just on Shrove Tuesday. They are my favourite "special breakfast". Loving the baking round-up recipes too!
Louise Fairweather
Great round up! I love the look of the pornstar martini cupcakes
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I rather like the look pf those too 🙂
Corina Blum
Your pancakes look amazing! I love simple looking bakes though and Cat's double chocolate orange cake is the recipe that is really catching eye today!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
yes that orange cake does look very good indeed.
Monika Dabrowski
This sweet roundup looks fantastic, and your black forest pancakes look amazing!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you Monika
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist
What a seriously drool-worthy roundup. Just gorgeous!
Thank you for hosting and thank you for including my GF Eclairs xx
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
It would have been ery hard if i had to pick just one favourite from this round-up. You gluten free eclairs look amazing
Cat | Curly's Cooking
Your pancake recipes look so delicious and unique. Thank you for including my Double Orange Cake in your round up.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Your cake looks fabulous
Balvinder
Love sweet and savory crepes but I am eyeing the Gluten free choux pastry from gluten free alchemist at the moment. Thanks for shearing this.
Balvinder
Do you have caprese pancakes recipe on the blog? As the word is not clickable.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I dd indeed - I managed to miss adding the link. Its there now.
Donna
I love the idea of black Forrest pancakes! A lovely round-up, I want them all!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you Donna, The pancakes were rather scrummy and I too love the look of all these bakes/
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
Happy pancake day! Loving the sound of both your new pancake recipes 😀 I love pancake day... and seeing all the lovely pancake recipes across the interwebs - but I can never quite bring myself to actually try any of them on pancake day - for me it always, always has to be classic lemon and sugar on the day itself! Eb x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Dare I say I agree, traditional pancakes with lemon and sugar on Pancake day for me too. But the new recipes I do each year are added to my pancake repertoire to enjoy all year round.
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Wow! Such lovely features, Jacqui. I want to grab them from the screen. Thanks a lot for hosting!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
thanks Jhuls I love hosting and thanks for linking up regularly I love your recipes.
Choclette
Love both of your pancake offerings Jacqui. In fact I'm totally in love with pancakes at the moment - which is probably a good thing as I shall be demolishing a few tonight.
Mind you, I think I need some of Kate's chocolate sauce to go with mine. It looks so glossy and gorgeous.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
what's not to love about pancakes! 🙂
Lesley Garden
A great round-up Jacqui, you've inspired me to go home and make pancakes for my daughters tonight.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
My job is done!