MacMillian Coffee Morning 2015

cakes all ready last night

A big baking session last night in my kitchen. Most of you that follow my blog will have been touched by cancer either a family member or friend - most people are touched by this at some point in their lives. We always thinks its someone else until it happens to us. I remember thinking oh god not the C word, my dad, why my dad? before sobbing. Two years ago my dad was diagnosed with throat cancer and fortunately for us he had fantastic care through MacMillan and is in remission with regular check-ups. So this year I decided to hold another MacMillan coffee morning, or rather day at work! It started at 10am and finished at 3pm, not bad for a small office with only 14 members of staff there today. We grazed all day long. My day started with cake for breakfast, lunch was cake and tea time was cake. I think I'll be off cake for a day or so.

jam tarts in progress

I love cake, who doesn't so three ladies at work decided to bake and sell the yummy treats to the office today, all day (almost).

tray bake

I found a really east madeira tray bake recipe and it was a huge hit, I think I ate most of it. I'm going to make it again very very soon.

the baking team (me, Debbie and Janine) my lovely work mates

This is easy to make Madeira cake that keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks in an airtight container, so it can be done well in advance. But who keeps cake that long? You will make it and eat it immediately it is that tasty! Decorate with whatever sweets or sprinkles you have to hand, I opted for 100s and thousands and lemon icing.

Ingredients – for an 8-inch square tin 200g butter 200g caster sugar 4 eggs 150g plain flour 50g self-raising flour 3 tsp milk Method Beat the sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after every addition. Sift in the flour then fold it in, then stir in the milk. Transfer into a greased tin and smooth the top, then bake at 160 C until the top is firm and golden (and you can smell cake!). Allow to cool then pour over icing and shake over sprinkles. Cut into squares once the icing has set. That's it, really easy.

So today I raised over £75 with the sale of chilli jam, strawberry jam, cakes and savouries.