Royal Iced Biscuits

Two weeks ago I went on a baking course that I brought as a present to myself. I have spent many an hour on Instagram and Pinterest looking at the spectacular biscuit creations that can be made using royal icing. So when I saw there was a course to learn how to do them at the Iced Jems kitchen I decided that was an ideal Christmas present to myself. So off I went, lunch box packed, note pad at the ready, to the day long course which was run by Victoria's Kitchen.

I had such a good day! The course was fantastic, the other students were lovely and the setting was perfect! The Iced Jems shop is a wonderful independent baking supplies shop with a teaching kitchen right in the shop window. I left a very happy bunny with a box of iced biscuits to share with friends that evening and a boot full of biscuit cutters and baking equipment from the shop.

The collage of pictures below are just some of my creations from the day.

The finished results from the course.

I couldn't wait to try the skills I learnt again at home. I was eager to try all the different cutter shapes I had and use lots of different colours.  The icing takes a good few hours so I would highly recommend making your biscuits the day before or a couple of days before you would like to ice them.

Chocolate Lollies

For Christmas I was gifted with a chocolate making course from my Mama and Pops at a local handmade chocolate company in Bredon on the Hill. The company is called the Bittersweet Chocolate Company and is a small establishment making homemade high quality chocolates. They also offer workshops to learn how to make solid chocolate and fresh cream truffles. So last Saturday afternoon off I went. I picked up a number of top tips and techniques that will feature on here throughout the year. I would absolutely recommend the workshop. It was relaxed, fun and informative and of course there was lots of chocolate including a chocolate fondue on arrival. Nigel (the creator of Bittersweet) and Kate who also works for the company were very friendly and have a real passion for a good quality product that is made up of local ingredients. Even if you aren't very artistic you can create some lovely chocolates. Unlike other courses, you go home with absolutely loads of goodies!

Back to blogging and back to baking

It seems like a long time ago that I sat down to write a blog post and today could not be a more fitting day to get back to it. Today is the birthday of Stevie Feathers (my boyfriend) and it is also the first birthday of this very blog