Christmas Tree Cupcakes (Chocolate & Peppermint)

These Christmas trees featured alongside Mi's delicious red velvet cupcakes last Christmas and were part of our very first blog post! Unfortunately, the recipe was not included in that first post...just a pretty picture. So here it is...just in time for Christmas!

Mad Hatter's Tea Party!

This Christmas will be MiNa's second Christmas, can't believe it's been almost a whole year since we had our first baking collaboration together Christmas cupcakes which eventually resulted in MiNa's Food Adventures! The theme to our work Christmas party this year was Mad Hatter, so Na and I decided to make Mad Hatter/Alice in Wonderland themed sugar cookies. We used the sugar cookies recipe from Na's teapot and teacup post and the royal icing recipe from Bec Loves Baking blog which uses pavlova magic instead of egg whites, this can be found at your local supermarket. I found the quantity to be to much for 45 - 50 sugar cookies so I think I will halve the recipe next time. Na made the gorgeous teapot, teacups and teabags and I made the hearts, clocks and hats (which I was told looked a bit like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle!). I used an edible food pen to write the numbers and hands on the clock cookies. No Christmas party would be complete without a gingerbread house, so along with a couple of colleagues from work we decided to make a castle for the Queen of Hearts as well! Needless to say, I think we have reached our baking quota for the year! Mi & Na xoxo

Hungarian Tart

Another tried and true recipe from my mum for HUNGARIAN TART. It's basically a buttery shortbread with a strawberry jam filling. I'm not exactly sure if this is traditionally Hungarian but it's what we've always called it! 

Naan Katai (Semolina Shortbread)

This delicious crumbly biscuit has been a family favourite for pretty much all of my life. The recipe was passed from my grandmother to my mother and now to me. It was a bit difficult to write the exact recipe because a lot of it is done by feel as opposed to measurements. My advise would be to practice till you get it right!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Cake

This post is dedicated to my friends N&B and their gorgeous little boy Josh. They are the most amazing parents and little Josh is such a happy, relaxed and easy-going bub. Mr Mi and I are soon to be parents and they are an inspiration! The very hungry little caterpillar (aka Josh) turned one recently and his mama wanted to make him a hungry caterpillar cake for his birthday party. After a few searches I saw this amazing cake, so we set on another fondant adventure to attempt this cake. I used my favourite basic vanilla cake recipe and Na's buttercream to make a four layered sponge cake. We covered the cake in ready rolled icing and Josh's mama hand cut the fruits and made the amazing caterpillar. We were pretty proud of our efforts and needless to say we were completely sugared out after a slice of the rainbow caterpillar cake. Happy first birthday Josh! Mi xoxo

Classic Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream

Nothing beats a classic vanilla cupcake with Na's delicious buttercream. I swear by this recipe as seen in my earlier post. I use it for cupcakes and cakes. It is so easy, throw everything in a bowl and beat until well combined! YUM! Mi xo

Silo by Joost

Hidden away in one of Melbourne's laneways is a little cafe called Silo. It is another offering from the creative mind of Joost Bakker (pronounced "Yoast"), who is also responsible for The Greenhouse in Perth.

Na recommends: Banana porridge (top right)
Na's boyfriend recommends: Muesli (bottom left)

Silo can be found at 123 Hardware Street, Melbourne. Na xo