Cakes for happy days

Last week I made a lot of cake. Mum had a wedding at Lunga and three 'pudding cakes' were required - cakes that can be cut ceremoniously but eaten as a pudding. Don't know about anyone else, but I hate fruit cake. And I hate marzipan and I hate rock hard royal icing, and how everyone always politely moves the constituent parts around their plates to make it look like they really are eating Christmas cake by another name.

Anyway, the groom was Irish, the bride Scottish and they lived in America, so we came up with the idea of  a chocolate guinness cake, a Cranachan sponge and a lemon and apricot cake with Philadelphia cream to drizzle. And even though I say so myself, these were gods of cakes. Mum did the finishing touches at Lunga and they were served with huge bowls of strawberries, chocolate ganache sauce and lightly whipped double cream. And not a single bit of Royal Icing in sight!

Upside down cakes

There is something about the smell of simmering brown sugar and butter. I used to opt for the quick method, using the microwave for about 20 seconds to zap the mixure. But you don't get that fudgy aroma. Now that I've invested in some heavy duty baking tins, I simmer the sugar and butter together on top of the hob, stirring with my oldest wooden spoon until treacly and smooth. Therapeutic. Truly.

Then all you have to do is add your seasonal fruit, sliced, into the sugary buttery syrup and top with your sponge mixture and bake. Adding a winter spice - like cinnamon, or nutmeg - intensifies the flavour of the cake. This time of year, pears and bananas feature regularly on our upside down cakes and the trick is to bake them just long enough for a wooden skewer to come out clean and not so long that the syrup bakes hard. 

When you turn the cake out of the tin, and the sticky fruit now snuggles at the top, the syrup should still be slightly soft and sticky so that when you add a dollop of creme fraiche the two kind of ooze together.

One of my favourite favourite winter cakes. It's a pear one today. 

Enjoy one of our loose leaf teas to go with - maybe the spiced apple one.

Enjoy! And remember that you can find out some more of our insider baking tips on Wednesday night at our baking class. We throw in a free glass of fizz. Well, the festivities don't end just because Christmas is over!

Lovely lovely crockery

When I opened The Hidden Lane Tearoom, my grandad raided every single charity shop for vintage teasets and teapots to compliment my own collection of crockery that I had been building up just because I loved it. The delicate patterns; the prettiness; the etiquette.

So now I have lots and lots. I'm always grateful to people who drop by with the odd bits and pieces for me and I swap my shelves around every day, so that no teacup ever has to endure that left on the shelf, wallflower feeling.

I've recently started hiring out my crockery for weddings and for tea parties. But mostly, I let people drink tea and eat cake from china bits and pieces that make me happy. My teacups do, however, make lovely lovely vases.

Welcome to The Hidden Lane Tearoom

Hello and welcome to The Hidden Lane Tearoom. First of all you'll have to find me, tucked away down a lane just off Argyle Street West, it's not always that easy, its part of the appeal! Once you have found me you will find yourself surrounded my multi coloured buildings and a feeling of tranquility not often found in Glasgow! In the far corner of the cobbled lane rests a beautiful vintage tearoom, celebrating a bygone era where high tea and china teacups were a way of life.

I specialise in home baking, from traditional victoria sponge with cream and jam to triple chocolate cake with the most chocolatey icing you ever did taste! There is always a wonderful selection to choose from, I have two whole tables dedicated to my cake display so the only difficulty will be deciding what you fancy! Just to make sure I'm not leaving anyone out I also have gluten and dairy free delights, which are often more tasty than the real deal!

High Tea is fast becoming a favourite. To do it propoerly start with the delicate finger sandwiches, move onto the scones and jam and finish with a generous selection of cakes and goodies. Served on traditional cake stands and accompanied by beautiful loose leaf teas or fair trade coffee this is a perfect way to spend an afternoon with friends.

The Tearoom is available for private functions...why not have a vintage tea party for your next special occasion? It is also a great space for live acoustic music. Last weekend 3 members of the French Wives did a small set and with no PA or mics the atmosphere was perfect!

I think I have covered everything for now. Watch this space for up and coming events and Tearoom happenings!