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The different between baking powder/soda and baking powder
As any baker knows, baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents, which means that you can use them to make cake batter rise during baking. Once in the oven, both baking soda and baking powder produces bubbles of carbon dioxide that expand in a hot oven, lightening the texture of your cake and making it fluffy and delicious.
Baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda, is pure sodium bicarbonate: a chemical compound with a slightly salty, soapy taste. It is sold as a fine powder. Combined with a liquid and an acidic ingredient in your batter or dough (such as buttermilk or cocoa powder) it releases carbon dioxide. For this reaction to occur, the batter needs to reach a temperature of about 80°C/175°F.
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Lancashire Lass
Growing up in the North of England, I was surrounded by home bakers and cooks.
My mum who would and could make delicious things out of nothing (a real art), pies, stews, hotpots, fairy cakes, current slabs and soooo much more! When it was either mine of my brothers’ birthdays, we would always be amazed by her talents of producing a themed cake. I remember a 3D cat with sugar mouses all handmade and even now I wonder how on earth she did it? Knowing that you could not get the secret inside cake supports that you now can? Such natural talent.
My Aunty Shelia and Aunty Loui (Shelia was my mum’s second cousin and Louisa was Shelia’s mum, so to make it easier I
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Tis the season to start baking!
Well, it is that time of year again that things start to get a little crazy at Fiona’s Fancies HQ, with our festive treats running out the door. And we have been busy baking, creating and designing our delicious treats ready for you, our customers.
I love Christmas because for me it is all about family and friends, it reminds me of all the wonderful Christmas’s I shared back home in the UK with my mum, dad, my brother Graham and in later years my husband.
Now I am in Australia and Christmas is completely different from what I am used to in the UK. Christmas Day is now hot with anything from 30- 40C, no snow, rain or wind.
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Thank you teachers!
For 8 years I was a Lecturer at a Patisserie College in the UK and for a year I taught Food technology in a high school, I know all too well how hard teachers work and the depths we go to for our students.
A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination and instil a love of learning that will stay with them for the rest of their life. You never forget those teacher’s and even as I write this, I remember Mrs Jenkins, Mr Clapham and Mrs Claydon if it had not been for these 3 teachers’ life would have been a lot harder for me academically.
It is that time of year here
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Working for the Royal Family Q&A’s
Did I meet any of the Royal Family?
There were times that yes, we did, some would come down to the Kitchen, whilst others I would meet at the functions or events. But I would say they would not know my name and that was ok, they were always pleasant, I never felt out of place and I 100% felt and took it as an honour to be working there as a Royal Patisserie Chef. I was very well looked after and gained lifelong friends from my experience.
Did they really eat my food?
Yes, is the simple answer.
Was I ever nerves?
No, not unless I was going to meet them, and
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Working for the Royal Family
I was working in Angus France when I received a phone call asking if I would be interested in a new opportunity? In my industry new opportunities came often but not in this form.
It took almost 6 months to be vetted and checked and not just my immediate family, they went back generations.
I left France bound for Heathrow and hopped in a black cab, I was so excited, I remember my heart racing with anticipation.
As the cab pulled into the side gates of Buckingham Palace, I looked up with my mouth wide open at the spectacular building that shadowed above me. This was home for the next 12 months!!!!!
I lived in the
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Welcome to Fiona’s Fancies Blog!
Well its finally here! After 2 years I have a brand-new website that really reflects who I am, what I stand for and what Fiona’s Fancies is all about.
I can not tell you how excited I am to finally be able to offer you an easier way to order our treats, take payment and wait for your yummies to be delivered. I have dreamed of this moment for the last 13 months creating this website has had many challenges, I have not only learnt a lot about myself but also when dealing with other businesses the right and the wrong ways and finding the right people who have the same ethics as myself has honestly been my main challenge. I have been let down