belated birthday.

My blog birthday went slowly past, and I didn't even realise. I can't believe I've had apples & almonds running for a whole year! To be honest, when I started this blog I thought it would last for about two months before being left by the wayside.

But I've kept it going, and I've learnt so much, and I've even made a few bloggy friends! Over the year, I've done 98 posts, I've had 14,521 page views, been featured on Foodista and Tastespotting. I've slowly developed my food photography skills and I'm slowly developing my own writing style.

And since I've made it this far, I have no doubt that I can make it to next year.

So for a birthday round-up, here's a list of my favourite posts so far on apples & almonds. Here's to another year!

Anarchy cupcakes. (My very first post!)

Orange cake.

Cheeseburgers.

Red pesto.

Gingerbread biscuits.

Toffee apple cake.

Breakfast pies.

Sugar and spice biscuits.

Limoncello.

Rainbow cake.

Chocolate eclairs.

The dress that I made all by myself.

Olive savoury muffins.

Thank you for being here! Ursula x

Cupcakes on impulse.

I had a super morning today. I had breakfast with my brother and sister and went shopping. My sister was meant to be going on a picnic, and had to make something to take, so we went back to my house to make some cupcakes. Actually, I didn't make them, Caitlin did. All I did was get the ingredients out of the cupboard and take photos. How good of me!
I didn't even get to taste a cupcake. Caitlin ran off to her picnic as soon as they were iced. But that's ok, I don't mind. I'm cool like that.

This is our basic cupcake recipe. It's from Nigella Lawson's "How to be a Domestic Goddess." We use this one because it's a simple one-bowl recipe (They're always the best, aren't they?). And when you've only got 20 minutes before you have to be at a picnic, they're the perfect thing to make. This recipe has been made so many times that the page in the book has become worn; greasy and floury with age. I often add another flavour to the cakes, lemon for instance, just mix the zest in before you put them into the paper cases and use lemon juice instead of milk.

Recipe:
From Nigella Lawson's "How to be a Domestic Goddess"

Oven 200C
Makes 12

125g butter
125g sugar
2 eggs
125g self-raising flour
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp milk

Put all the ingredients, except milk, in a bowl, and mix with electric mixers until smooth.
Slowly add the milk, not all at once, until you get a "soft, dropping consistency"
Bake for 15-20 mins.
Cool before icing.