Flop! Flop!

A double flop.

The recipe for the cupcakes was from a favourite blogger. Maybe there is nothing wrong with the recipe. Maybe it was a bad idea to substitute cake flour for all purpose flour (the box of cake flour said it was ok to do so).
The result were these cupcakes which looked good and smelt great but tasted horrible. Extremely pasty to taste and very doughy.

The recipe for the frosting was from a favourite magazine. For once I followed the recipe to the letter. The result, nonetheless, was terrible. The recipe was unusual. Sugar, milk, and flour (yes, flour) was cooked to create a goopy consistency. Butter was beaten into the cooled goop to create something nasty.

I have baked plenty of disastrous. But so far everything that I've tried from this blogger or the magazine have always turned out just right and so the disappointment is greatly magnified.

The cupcake was intentionally harmed while taking this picture.

What makes this mishap blogworthy is Malar's event, Kitchen Mishaps, that I can participate in!

An Agreeable Afternoon

It is a truth universally known that an invigorating afternoon cup of tea is enjoyed much more in the company of gentle ladies than when one is solitary.

Thus read the invitation. Truer words were never spoken, depend upon it.
A cup of excellent tea and amiable company; the proposed afternoon seeked to unite the two with great promise.

Confirmations were made and plans put in place without any exertions on the concerned parties; and the anticipation began.

The day arrived accompanied by a bright sunshine. We met in high spirits and good humour; eager to be in the company of like minded individuals.

Who can be in doubt of what followed? A most agreeable afternoon, delightful conversation, and considerable food. All that was now needed was a turn in the shrubbery.

My character forbade me to join company empty handed. This recipe provided the inspiration. Minor alterations were made to suits our tastes. The results were entirely satisfying.

Rout Cake
Makes about 24 small cakes
Ingredients
1¼ cup all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
4 tbsp butter, softened
1/3 cup) sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp orange juice
1 tbsp rose-water (not extract)
¼ cup raisins

Method
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Grease a baking sheet and set it aside.
Mix the flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl.
Add the butter and make a crumbly mixture.
Mix together the egg, orange juice, and rose water.
Add in parts to the flour-butter mixture till combined. Do not overmix.
Add in the raisins.
Drop mounds of the mixture on the baking sheet. (I used my hands to form small balls of the dough).
Bake for about 15 mins or till the edges just start to brown.
Cook on a wire rack.
Enjoy with a dish of tea!