I spotted a Donna Hay cupcake kit at a local 'providore/deli' earlier this year. I took one look at the price (around $15) and put it back. Then about 4 to 5 weeks ago I was at an upmarket green grocer (which also stocks expensive frozen things, cheeses & spices etc) - and I spotted the Donna Hay kits again. They were calling me! I decided to take the plunge and fork-out the $13.95 price tag to road test this product - because good or bad, I knew I'd get a blog post out of it.!
I think there was only one other flavour choice, which was vanilla? And I was tempted to go for that one.. oh choices, choices. Above photo we have the open box and a typed/written 'insert' from Donna. Apparantly the coconut used to be in with the cupcake mix, but now she packs a separate bag of coconut. The instructions on the back of the box don't mention the coconut being separate, so her note explains this. Otherwise you'd find yourself saying "When do I put the coconut in"?
The top of the box reads: "At age eight Donna Hay skipped into the kitchen, picked up a mixing bowl and never looked back. From these humble beginnings this baking range has been created with the best-quality ingredients Donna could find. As good as baking from scratch, only foolproof. One taste and you'll understand".
Sachet of cake mix, sachet of coconut and a sachet of lemon icing. The cake mix is coconut flavoured and it's the buttercream frosting that is lemony.
My fan-forced oven baked these in 20 minutes. I had to supply 2 eggs and half a cup of milk into the sachet mixtures/mixing bowl.
Ok, I had one even before icing it. Actually I did spoon on some frosting after I'd taken a bite. It was a peasant-style, rustic in-your-mouth-NOW version.
This started off as 125grams of softened yellow 'Creamy Tasmanian Butter' (I think 'Select' brand from Woolworths). The icing sugar sachet goes in and also a tablespoon of milk. Mixed with an electric mixer for 5 minutes.
Nowhere on the box is the topping referred to as frosting - it's called 'icing'. To me, this is a real, buttercream frosting. Butter made to look like faux-cream and even have the texture of it almost. I struggled (just a bit) to ice them and keep them looking pretty. A few days ago I also struggled (a bit) in the sugar-aisle at the supermarket. I saw little colourful sugar-flowers, perfect to put on top of cupcakes, albeit a little boring (after seeing what is out there on other foodie blog cupcakes). I didn't want to part with another $4 seeing as the cupcake kit already cost $14. So today.. for a minute or so, I regretted not purchasing the cupcake embellishments. But then I had an idea. Lemon zest!
So! The verdict? I have to admit, I started off this exercise feeling just a wee-sceptical. I don't fully know why. Maybe part of me wondered if I would be getting what I paid for. Was this a marketing exercise? Would I get the same from White Wings or Greens at the supermarket? As it happens, no.
Tasting the cupcake batter and frosting separately (pre-baking) I worried they would be over-sweet. But after they were baked and with my first mouthful I realised Mmm Mmm.. these are 'special' little cakes. More like 'muffin sized' cupcakes, I do think for what you get, the $13.95 price tag was worth it. They'd easily pass as a 'conversational piece' to bake for guests or to "love someone" with.. as a gift? Of course, a warning (without trying to sound cliched).. it's hard to stop at one!
Excuse the order of the photo's! This was where I parked my car. Some 'bollards' can be seen up ahead.. being famous 'Geelong' paintings on thick pole-things! Made to look like people.
Bircher Muesli - way too sweet for my tastes (not as good as the Bircher Muesli at Cradle Mountain Lodge, Tasmania)! Then there's some stewed fruit, being plum/pear/apricot (missing flavour) & some greek-style yoghurt with berries (too tart for me, bit of a disappointment).
Near my car, looking back at the Sheraton.
Making a spinach & ham quiche. This is the 'blind baked' crust using 3 sheets of packet-shortcrust-pastry.
Pre-cooked ham, spinach, spring onion and parsley mixture.
Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the 20th anniversary concert of the most successful tribute band ever, "Bjorn Again". It was planned months ago via my work's social club. Each week I contributed $2 for me and $2 for hubby to be part of the club and it paid off because for around $50 outlay we received two tickets to the concert (worth around $65 each) + the return 'private hire' bus journey.
This pic was taken with my mobile phone after we were 'moved' to a spot closer to the stage, which was awesome. 'Bjorn Again' didn't disappoint. I've heard them on YouTube or on TV shows and not felt overly impressed with their sound. I understand that they don't use the same people to play the various Abba band members (ie. they alternate & take turns). The four we had in Melbourne were better than anything I've heard from Bjorn Again anywhere else. The 'blonde' was particularly wonderful, who was in character for the part of 'Agnetha'. Almost identical to the original voice -just beautiful. Brilliant music & lots of cheezy Swedish? accents & humour! Occasionally they deviated from Abba music too which was very entertaining.. like when the girls went to change costume once, the boys had some 'banter' then guitar solo's and sang Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer". Another example was when their song 'S.O.S.' also briefly deviated to 'Sending out an S.O.S.' by 'The Police' (Sting).
This is essentially Bowl #2 with the whisked egg & milk and the gingernuts added. Once all mixed together it looks like ginger-coloured slop..nothing too pretty!
