Friday 27 September 2013

Friday Bake: Gluten and dairy free Madeira Cake

Yippee it's Friday, which usually in this house means doing a spot of baking to prepare for the weekend. Our weekends usually consist of long and leisurely lunches as a family followed by cups of tea and cake. I figured seeing that I bake almost every Friday, I would start a little Friday Bake on my blog. If any of you fancy to join in, just let me know and I can pop a little button on for you to link in. This doesn't mean you have to bake every Friday, but you can do it as and when you see fit. I really like the idea of getting ideas for baking from a variety of sources. I will add here that you need to make sure that you only share if the recipe is yours, or if it is available on the Internet, in which case you can share the link. Alternatively you can just mention the book as I think most of us welcome new inspiration and it is a great way of getting ideas for Birthday's and Christmas too. I know I always like to add a few books to my 'want  need- list'.



I know that the majority of you indulge in gluten and dairy, so the fact that I state it is gluten and dairy free doesn't mean that you can't make it. The Madeira cake recipe I tried today is from this lovely book by Monty and Sarah Don, which is far from Gluten and Dairy free. It is a great book filled with some wonderful recipes for meals, soups, cakes, you name it. I came across it during our holiday to Wales one year and it has become a bit of a cooking companion shall we say. The pork belly recipe is simply the best and it works every time. The apple cake, is another one of our favourites and in fact I might just have to do it again soon, seeing that it is the season and all.


If you are not an avid baker, this recipe might suit you as it is really easy and simple, which is what we all need sometimes. Being a lover of all things lemon, this recipe really appeals, but I am sure you could happily miss out the lemon if you choose. Unfortunately this recipe isn't available online, but this recipe comes pretty close to it.

  

Apart from the dairy and gluten substitutes that I used, such as Doves Gluten Free Self Raising flour and Pure Sunflower Spread, instead of butter, I also used 110g of Palm Sugar and 65g of Caster sugar, instead of the 175g caster sugar. I have used palm sugar in baking quite a bit and I do think that apart from the fact that it is slightly healthier, it also adds a lovely flavour to the bake, but again it is a case of preference.



Not only do you use grated lemon rind, but you also put a couple of thin strips of the lemon rind half way through the bake, as pictured. I will add here that they do shrivel up, so I take they are there to infuse??The recipe that I have linked uses candied lemon, which might work slightly better and I might try that next time.





 Well the end result, is simply delicious and I am sure we will all devour this before the end of the weekend.


 


I enjoyed sitting out this afternoon in this glorious sun weaving in the ends of little Josh's scarf whilst enjoying a slice of Madeira cake and Rooibos tea. I was not alone, my creatures all joined me and we were graced with the company of this beautiful and elegant flutterby moving around the lavender. Here is a couple of minutes captured on film.





I feel so relieved that it is the weekend as my batteries are a little flat and in need of a recharge. This two kids in school malarkey should be more relaxing, but right now I am finding it quite full on when they get home. It is all very concentrated with trying to spread your energy, time and attention in two, but I will also add I am loving it. Fortunately, it seems that little Es is slowly starting to settle into her new world, which is just such a blessing and we are making the most of our hours together after school. She has already started with bits of homework, which is very simple, but I think she quite likes finally having her own homework book to do work in, especially having seen her brother with his for the last two years.

So what do you all have planned for this weekend? For me its a friends birthday party tonight for which I have prepared a chili to take along, and then this weekend will see more bulbs going into the ground, weather permitting, followed by the Treacle Market on Sunday and plenty of R&R in between with the family. I will be back on Sunday with a little stitching that I have been working on during the week.

Wishing you all a very happy weekend.
Warm Wishes
Hannapat
xoxo



16 comments:

  1. Hello my lovely Hannapat well I would love to join you in your baking. I used to bake years ago when the boys were small and I usually baked every Friday evening when they were in bed - my legs would be aching afterwards as I would bake for the whole week - don't do much now and have forgotten a lot of it but would love to have a go now and then. I always love looking at recipes and yours look delightful and delicious, although I would need to start marathon training as the calories just jump on my hips immediately! Could I link in - by the way I will email you this evening, sorry but work has been manic as usual and I have had three late nights this work so am quite tired. Speak soon, big hugs to you all
    Lots of love
    Dorothy
    :-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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    1. I know just what you mean with aching legs. Back in the day when I used to work and they were very little I did the same, what was I thinking??? Anyways, it will be such fun for you to join in. xoxo

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  2. I like the idea of a Friday bake!! I made Maderia cake yesterday, and added coconut to it. We took it along to a friend who was hosting a coffee morning for Macmillan. I'm glad to hear that your little one is settling in at school. I love the first book they get to bring home in their little book bag. It was a lovely day here too, and we spent lots of it outside. This weekend is a big one for my garden - new borders being dug, bulbs, perennials and shrubs going in.

    Have a restful weekend, Hannapat. And thank you for the time you take when leaving your commets on my blog. I really am touched. xx

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    1. Thanks sweetie, ooh they idea of coconut, that sounds delicious, so your job is to share that and soon! Looking forward to you joining in as and when you see fit. Your most welcome and the pleasure is all mine! xo

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  3. I bake every weekend and would love to have a button to grab and join up for recipe swaps - great idea! The cake looks wonderful, and I'm going to have a look at that book - I'm a big fan of Monty! Hope you have a restful weekend...we're all sniffling with colds today, so I think we'll be sofa-bound with lots of telly and TLC. Big hugs, cx

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    1. Well, can't wait for you to join in lovely and thanks for your help! Now I just need to get around to actually do it ;-). xoxo

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  4. Mmmmmmm your cakes look wonderful. Re the magazine, someone facebooked me the image. I haven't translated what was said about it... could be "look at this batty bird wrapping a blanket around a mannequin" for all I know! hope you are getting this gorgeous sunny weather where you live x

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  5. It looks delicious. I should probably be thinking about going GF; sometimes I think I might have some symptoms of a gluten issue. I'm glad Es is settling in at school. I agree with you, it's a lot of work and responsibility having two in school and my younger is still only part-time! Hang in there and try to relax this weekend. :)

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    1. I think it is always worth trying to see how you cope without it for a while to see if things change and if they do, then its well worth pursuing. Yeah too right, but again like with most things it just takes time to get into the swing of things. Thanks for your supportive comments xoxo

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  6. Lovely looking cake dear Hannapat - I too have a soft spot for Monty - and how clever to catch the butterfly on the beautiful lavender - you must have been quick to do that, AND do it so well!
    I am so pleased to hear that at last little Es is beginning to settle in school - what terrible emotional times these can be when little ones seem so unhappy and unsure of what's happening to them: it's all such a huge and unknown factor for them isn't it! Anyway, the worst of it is over at last and you will also feel much happier in yourself!
    Have a lovely and restful weekend lovely,
    Warm hugs,
    Joy xoxo

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    1. Thank you lovely Joy. To be honest I had a very relaxing time just sitting there for several minutes enjoying his presence and he was in no rush at all. I really enjoyed these quite moments. Thank you for your sweet comments about little Es, she is doing much better, well I suppose we both are! Same to you lovely Joy xoxo

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  7. Hi skattie - daai koek lyk heerlik! I love the idea of Friday baking - I always have good intentions and then somehow or another it falls by the wayside (much to hubby's disappointment - he's the one with the really sweet tooth in our family!), so a little button would probably inspire and encourage me :-)
    Good to read that little Es is settling in and I'm sure you will adapt and adjust and settle into your new routine in the mornings soon too. Drukkies, xx

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    1. Hello skattie and thanks for jou lekker boodskap. Dit sal so lekker wees as jy ook n bietjie will koekbak, so yes I will sort this button out this week and we can all please these men of ours (and myself that has to be added!). Unfortunately I can't claim not to have a sweet tooth, if only! xoxo

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  8. What a lovely looking cake. The cookbook looks like one I would enjoy too, I must look out for it. Love your photos of the butterfly on the lavender, so very pretty. Hope you have a good time at treacle market and are having a lovely weekend in general!
    Marianne xx

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    1. Thanks Marianne, yes it is a really lovely book and I am sure you will love it. xoxo

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