As valentine’s day is rapidly approaching, I thought it would be right to post something festive. So here is a cute cake and although not the easiest, it is rather impressive! 

Ingredients you will need: 

(Cake 1)

• 150g self-raising flour
• 175g caster sugar
• 175g unsalted soften butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 85g ground almonds 
• 100ml milk
• 2 tbsp cocoa power
• Red food colouring 
• 1 1/2 tsp strawberry flavouring - you can use vanilla instead if you wish

(Cake 2)

• 175g self-raising flour                                     
• 175g caster sugar
• 175g unsalted soften butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 85g ground almonds 
• 100ml milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

Method:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 160°C (140°C if fan assisted). Now grease a 900g loaf tin and line with greaseproof baking paper. 

Step 2: Next put the sugar and butter for cake 1 into a bowl and cream together until light and fluffy, it is easiest to do this either in a electric mixing bowl or using a hand held electric whisk.

Step 3: Then beat together the 3 eggs and add to the butter and sugar in small amounts, mixing in-between until all is combined.

Step 4: Now sift the flour, baking powder and cocoa into the bowl, add the almonds and gently fold into the mixture. 

Step 5: Now combine the milk and flavouring (either strawberry or vanilla) and add to the batter. Then add small amounts of food colouring until the mixture is evenly coloured and at the colour you want.

Step 6: Then pour into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes. You will know it is baked if you insert a skewer into the middle of the cake and it comes out clean. Now cool for 10 minutes and then transfer to a cooling rack.

Step 7: When cool, cut the cake into about 4cm slices and then using a 5cm cutter, stamp out the hearts. 

Step 8: Now for cake 2. Use the same loaf tin as before and grease and line it again. Now repeat what you did for cake 1 but you won’t have cocoa or food colouring in this batch and your strawberry flavouring will also be vanilla. Stop when all the ingredients are combined in the bowl.

Step 9: When you have got to this stage pour 3/4 of the mixture into the prepared loaf tin. Next push the bottoms of the hearts into this batter in a tight row. Then cover the hearts with the rest of the mixture covering the hearts as much as you can. 

Step 10: Bake for 1 hour at the same temperature as before and again use the skewer technique to check it has baked properly. Cool for around 10 minutes in the tin and then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. 

Step 11: Decorate however you choose! Dust with icing sugar and valentines sprinkles for a simple but effective look or smother in chocolate icing, its really up to you!

Step 12: Enjoy! 

(Original recipe on the BBC Goodfood website)

Borough Market 

‘Borough Market is London’s most renowned food market; a source of exceptional British and international produce.’ - boroughmarket.org.uk

 Borough market is a vibrant and electric place that has a great atmosphere and is the perfect place to go and experience new food and drinks. It has such a great variety of food from seafood and fresh fish to beautiful cuts of meat and even more exotic ones such as crocodile and zebra. It also has copious amounts of stalls cooking fresh food to eat right there and then and is also a great place to find a special gift. It’s the place to go if you’re looking impeccable quality and also if you’re looking to try something new and interesting. 

Borough market is based in Southwark and is a short distance from the London Bridge underground station. The market is extremely popular and that’s what I think makes it so wonderful. The hustle and bustle gives the place a great atmosphere especially at this time of year! 

There are a variety of stalls in the market and many offer cheeky free samples so you can taste for yourself the wonders of this market totally for free! The fresh fruit and vegetables look so beautiful, giving the grey floors and buildings a splash of vibrant and spectacular colour. There is a huge variety from piles of garlic, tomatoes and watermelons to unusual mushrooms and truffles. Not only is there fruit and vegetables but there is also freshly squeezed fruit juices that you can even personalise yourself and create your very own tasty treat that is healthy and delicious. 

Along with fruit and vegetables there is also gorgeous cuts of meat that range from classic pork and beef to more unusual and rare animals such as wild boar and kangeroo. If you are very interested in trying the unusual cuts of meats but have no idea how to cook them then don’t fear there are stalls that provide freshly cooked burgers and other dishes made from these exotic animals for a great price! There is also great seafood and fish available at the market, freshly caught and you can even choose your own lobster if that is the kind of food you like. The huge pans of paella give off a beautiful aroma that wafts  around the busy people and mixes with other numerous beautiful smells coming from the different stalls. The fragrances are captivating along with the beautiful colours and freshly baked pastries. 

Along with the fish, meat and vegetables there is also amazing cakes, breads and cheeses. There is also vast amounts of pies and sausage rolls and other great pastry items. If you are thinking well this section isn't for me because you have a dietary requirement that restricts what cakes and sweet treats you can eat then don’t you worry, there is a great stall that provides theses delicious snacks totally gluten and wheat free and others that are dairy, egg and sugar free too! So now there is nothing much stopping you going to have a look around and maybe grab a delicious bite to eat!

There isn’t just food, there are wonderful performances from talented musicians that add beautifully to the already vibrant atmosphere and at this time of year the carols and musical pieces are just magical. To find out more about what time these performances are happening check out the borough market website linked below. 

If you do decide to go to this wonderful market I would love to know your thoughts and see any pictures you may have taken so tag me in any!

(@heyitsbrie - twitter, @brionycook - instagram) 

boroughmarket.org.uk