Bake test: Hummingbird Bakery Black Bottom Cupcakes, and a bit of breadbaking

From sweltering heat to wooly, rainy days. Perth's weather has changed in an instance. And I love it.

This grey weather is perfect for tea and movies and my favourite thing of all time - baking.

So while Hubby was enjoying the three Bs on a boat at a bucks party this Saturday I got my Betty homemaker on and baked up a storm. By the way - the three Bs are: Booze, Beef and Boobs. Apparently it's the secret to a great bucks day.

First up, I continued baking my way through the Hummingbird Bakery cook book and tried my hand at Black Bottom Cupcakes, or as I like to call them, Top Deck Cupcakes. Or even Double Cheesecake Cupcakes.

Why so many names? Well this cupcake by any name as a dense cake bottom, that is topped by a cheesecake, which you bake together. When cooled, you add a cream cheese, or cheesecake, icing.

See the layers on this thing!

Bake test: THE BEST Hummingbird Bakery Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes

I ask myself - why have I never made these before?

The Hummingbird Bakery Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes are going down as the best ones I've ever made from the cook book.

They tick all the right boxes. Chocolate - tick. Hazelnut (my favourite) - tick. Fluffy - tick, tick. Easy - tick. Easy to decorate for a fumbler like me - tick.

Chocolate - tick, hazelnut - tick, fluffy - tick, sweet - tick... tick, tick, tick.

Best Chocolate Tart too good NOT to share

Oh. My. F-ing. Goodness.

This Tim Tam Tart, yes you read that alliteration right, this Tim Tam Tart is simple, decadent, delicious, fool-proof, rich, tasty, melt-in-your-mouth amazing.

A tasty tart

Bake Test: Hummingbird Bakery's Peaches & Cream cupcakes

Would you believe my sprightly Nonna only turned 70 last week.

I truly admire both sets of my grandparents. My young Nonna has led a brace life. In her late thirties she relocated the whole family from Italian's snow-capped mountains to a place where she doesn't know the language, is polar opposite in everything from lifestyle to the weather and of all places chose Kununurra to live in.

She's a force to be reckoned with and my friends were frightened of her, but she melts hearts (and bloats bellies) with her melt-in-your-mouth food.

What do you give a lady who doesn't care for material things, but just wants her family to be around her, happy and healthy. Cupcakes.

Bake test: Hummingbird Bakery Banana Chocolate Cupcakes

Smashing through the Hummingbird Bakery cupcake book. At this rate I'll be done with this 101 in 1001 activity before the end of the year.

Another weekend, another brunch. This time Hubby, Mini Me and I visited Mr and Mrs Mee for a long overdue catch up.

And it was another chance to cook up a batch of little cakes. And guess what.. success!!! I managed to get 12 cupcakes from Banana Chocolate Cupcake recipe.

Banana Chocolate Cupcake

Bake test: Hummingbird Bakery Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

I love the idea of one type of food resembling another.

White chocolate mousse that tastes like basil (I've made it and it actually works), food that looks like breakfast but tastes like dessert, ice cream that tastes like sesame seeds (thanks Nobu). They surprise and delight.

That's why I couldn't wait to try Hummingbird Bakery's Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes, and continue to complete my 101 in 1001 challenge.

Hummingbird Bakery Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Bake Test: Hummingbird Bakery blueberry muffins

Forget flowers, when I had Mini Me food was the best gift of all.

I didn't cook for the first two months. Mostly because I cooked like I was preparing my bunker in anticipation of a nuclear attack before she was born, but my wartime stock was supplemented by a stream of macaroons, cheeses, sushi, curries (which on the spicy end of the spectrum) and other deliciousness from visiting guests.

The best were those that cooked dinner for me, or food that went in the freezer.

That's why food is my new gift to mummies continuing Perth's baby boom.

Mummy L is the latest with long and lean 3-week old Baby A. With the frozen veggie soup in hand (good for nutrients and to eat one handed while feeding) I wanted to give her a little treat and cook another Hummingbird Bakery recipe as part of my 101 in 1001.



Almost a perfect match to the picture