I haven't baked cakes since secondary school. So...................................

[Mhamai]

What equipment do I need?

I get so flustered when I see all the shape thingy's and cutting thingy's and tins and wot not. Can someone advise me on the bare basics?

TIA

I'm more of a cake than a muffin girl (not sure why) but the muffins I have done (Nigella's) are very easy. Lob everything in a bowl and mix it up a bit (she even tells you not to mix it too well, she wants lumps), blob in cases, stick in oven.

Everyone is happy.

I agree with everyone about making muffins, they are so easy, add dry to wet ingredients and mix just a little then put in the cases, no need to worry about lumps.

If you're adding fruit toss it in a little flour to prevent it from sinking, I learned that tip here and it really does make a difference.

Well I won't be baking over the weekend but I shall report back during the week to let you know how the Twifalslubb muffins turned out. Thanks again for the heads up ladies.

Good luck, have fun and looking forward to hearing your report.

Thanks

disclaimer: the contributers to this thread bear no responsibility for you going up a dress size by christmas

LOL, that is a distinct possibility, however I can't be the only one surely who feels as though she's had a workout when I've finished baking.

All that mixing and stirring, bending up and down putting things in the oven or checking on them, washing up, stretching to reach ingredients etc.

I know it's pathetic but I'm usually sore all over when I finish.

Well I'm also buying the wii fit next week so maybe one day of baking followed by two of wii. [gtrin] I reckon proper homebaked stuff can't be as unhealthy as some of the mass produced slop packed with e numbers that I chuck in my trolley every week.

It's much better for you imo, and I always use real butter for cakes, better a little of full fat butter imo than a lot of artificial spreads.

by the way I've posted loads of muffin recipes on here before so you could just search for my name and muffin

my name and muffin .. hmmm .. there's a crass joke in there somewhere I'm sure

Also the sense of satisfaction you get from baking your own is priceless.

Ooh I'm feeling all baking virginish but will definatly be doing a search for all things Twig n muffiny!

Well ladies, I shall report back sometime during the week, the proof shall indeed be in the pudding!

raw cake mix, licked off the spatula is one of life's simple pleasures.

raw christmas cake cake mix (all brandified and lovely) is beyond wonderful.

Ah now your talkin Slubb, the mere mention of alcohol has increased my interest in this baking lark tenfold! I had a sneak look at your profile, wow! Amazing cakes missus!

Oh thank you. They are very amateur really. You need to see ComeOVeneer's or, hmm, I think steathsquiggle's. They are very impressive decorators. I am mostly involved in the baking and the eating .

Oh now come on! Your way too modest, They look scrumptious. Well all I can say is I couldn't have picked a better motley crew to try and break into the baking world with.

They are amazing Slub, I particuarly love the numbers cakes, the butterfly one and the one covered in animal shapes.

Oh bosh. Do stop now. My mother gave me the Australian Womans weekly Birthday cake book. I am working my way through it. Apart from the my little pony cake. That was all my own work

I'm tres impressed with the My Little Pony cake too, it looks exactly like one of the ponies, I can't remember her name now.

I want a My Little Pony cake.

It's Pinkie Pie! . I forgot her eyelashes . dd2 was very happy with her. The cake underneath was Mary berry's vanilla and chocolate chip marble cake, an absolute doddle to make and very good to eat too.