the sunday session 17 - butterfly kisses

and before you know it, it is wednesday.....

so i am not going to beat around the bush this week, i got business to do - cake business, but first, all my looks from last week. i just love getting up each day and deciding what to wear - some days are more traumatic then others, but i always leave the house happy, even if it means leaving a trail of maybes behind me as i get to the dressing finish line. oh the passion and the pain.

my favourite outfit this week was casual friday - jeans, boots a black long sleeve T, a beaded belt and the hair ribbon. the hair ribbon was killer and was very much talked about....so i just worked it to the max. it felt fun, and frivolous and took me back to my youth, where i was a big fan of the side pony.

this look was simple, but effective and the ribbon is a great detractor to any other bits you mightn't want attention drawn to.

on sunday i had a wander round the city and came across a group of people who were out with megaphones and placards - they were drawing attention to fashion revolution day and had speakers there who were involved in the Rana Plaza collapse two years ago, where many workers were injured or killed whilst satisfying our love of fast fashion. i guess that's  another reason why i love to create my own clothes, i know where they come from and that makes my soul feel good. something to think about as we get dressed each day.

last week, was the butterfly cake revolution. at work we were talking about all things cakes and the subject turned to butterfly cakes. in the world of cupcake overload the butterfly isn't something that's seen much. but it is so so good.  i reckon though the old grannies in the country shows would be lining them up for a blue ribbon in the competitions, not to mention good old country bakeries (actually they are probably just brumbies now).

So the cakes got a bit of love on instagram and the lovely @style_moi expressed her love of the butterfly cake and asked if i'd share the recipe.  hell yeah, i love to share a recipe when i get the chance and this once deserves to do the rounds.  so, here it is.

Old fashioned butterfly cakes - this makes about 12.

125g butter
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla essence (add to the milk)
cream - whipped - 1 carton is plenty
strawberry jam
icing sugar

patty pans - i used the small old fashioned ones - they were harder to find, but i did get some and stocked up.

heat the oven to moderate - 180 degrees
put the patty pans into the patty pan tray - a muffin tray also works fine
in a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar
add in the eggs bit by bit and mix through
start to add the flour and milk alternately - some flour, mix, then some milk, mix and so on. i did have to use a little extra milk, but not much
mix to a smooth batter
divide the mixture between the patty pans
pop into the oven and cook for 12 - 15 mins.  I am still getting used to my oven, so it was a little longer - but test with a skewer (if it comes out goop free, you are done)
i didn't worry too much about ensuring they were browned on top, just cooked.

while they are cooking, it's your chance to lick the beaters and do a spot of washing up.

once cooked, remove from oven and let cool on a rack.
i stored mine over night and assembled next day and they were great.

to assemble
have the whipped cream, jam and icing sugar at the ready

take one cake and cut a circle across the top - i didn't cut straight across, but rather dipped it down a little.  the cut off top makes the butterfly. i left about 1/2 cm from the edge of the cake. (roughly)

TOP TIP - i used a teaspoon and gently scooped a little extra of the cake out from the centre - this gave a bit more room to add the jam and cream.

spoon in some jam (there is no rule as to how much) and then top with whipped cream (there is no rule as to how much)

slice the cut off top in half and pop onto the cream to give it the butterfly touch.

do this for all the cakes and then sprinkle liberally with sifted icing sugar.

you are done. these are a great little old fashioned treat and really quick and easy to prepare.  i'd love to see a pic if anyone makes them.

buon appetito fashionistas.