Christmas Baking | Festive chocolate cake

The best, moist chocolate cake, a rich vanilla buttercream, candy canes, maltesers and gingerbread men. It can't get any more festive. It's the best treat for your guests for these festive days. Also, it's so fun for you - the cake therapy. Put on your favorite apron (❤), Home Alone on TV and start baking.    

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas our deer readers! Have a great time today with the people you love! Eat a lot, dance and watch Christmas movies under the blanket! Be grateful for everything and everyone you have! Don't forget to smile! 

Christmas Baking | Gingerbread house

 Gingerbread men and houses are all over the internet the Christmas period. Houses covered with chocolate, candies, sprinkles and a lot of icing or minimal ones with rich royal icing details. Every single one has its own charm and beauty. Big houses that will be in the centre of your festive table or little ones on your christmas mug. 

I can imagine a table with some gingerbread houses, colourful bowls with christmas decorations...sprinkles, candy canes, chocolate stars and of cource a lot of royal icing in piping bags. Christmas music: on, everybody ready . . . Let's get decorating! 

Hello December ❊

"It's the most beautiful time of the year", I sing all day long while baking. The bakery is dressed in its festive decoration. Red and gold ribbons, wooden ornaments and a big Christmas tree. We stayed awake two nights to decorate this tree. The city lights were off, the snow was falling and we were inside the most beautiful bakery in town to decorate it. Tired but so excited. This was my dream job. Even if I was new there I loved this job. I don't know why they had chosen me. I am not the greatest baker. The first recipe I was told to do was the Gingerbread house. I was frightened. Soft biscuits but really delicious, runny icing and a lot of sprinkles. Putting together the house. "Oh yeah, I did it! No, the roof is down! Again from the top!". I was so nervous but was enjoying the process. Icing time. "I believe it's the best icing I've ever made. Oh why is it runny? I can make it work!". I had 15 more minutes. The only solution was the sprinkles. Hmmm...It was not the most beautiful house but I loved it! It was my first Gingerbread house and was made with lots of spices and love. This is my own Christmas house. Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, people!

Bake | Pistachio and Pomegranate Cake

Μέσα Νοέμβρη. Το κρύο άρχισε να γίνεται τσουχτερό. Το μπουφάν έχει βγει για τα καλά από τη ντουλάπα και έχει αντικαταστήσει το τζιν πανωφόρι. Το σημερινό απόγευμα ήταν ένα από αυτά που πηγαίνεις αναγκαστικά στη δουλειά και το μόνο που σκέφτεσαι είναι πότε θα περάσει η ώρα για να πας στο σπίτι, να τυλιχτείς κάτω από τα σκεπάσματα και να γράψεις το επόμενο ποστ στο μπλογκ. Ατελείωτα σχέδια για συνταγές και χριστουγεννιάτικες ιδέες. Και όλα αυτά όχι επειδή δεν αντέχεις τη δουλειά σου αλλά επειδή η μέρα σου μπορεί να μην ήταν η καλύτερη κι έτσι ψάχνεις ζεστασιά σε κάτι όμορφο και δημιουργικό. 

Αυτό το κέικ, είναι μία υπενθύμιση πως είμαστε πολύ κοντά στα Χριστούγεννα. Εσείς που αγαπάτε τα Χριστούγεννα καταλαβαίνετε τι εννοώ. Ντυμένο στα λαμπερά κόκκινα, με πλούσιο γλάσο και γεύση ρόδι. Εύκολο σαν κέικ με κάποια αυξημένη δυσκολία στη διακόσμησή του. Επιζητεί μεγάλη φροντίδα και υπομονή καθώς τα ρόδια μπορεί να μην σου κάνουν τη χάρη να κολλήσουν στο κέικ. Αν δεν έχεις υπομονή, απλά πασπάλισε κάποια από πάνω. Α! Μην ξεχάσεις να στηρίξεις πάνω σε δύο καλαμάκια μία γιρλάντα από σημαιάκια. Θα σου φτιάξουν το κέφι!                                                  

Hello November ❣

November. "The ginger month", that's how I call it. My lovely, orange, pomegranate flavored month. I love baking gingerbread cookies and serve pomegranate juice and hot chocolate with cinnamon to our customers. I sprinkle some cinnamon to everything I bake. I want everything to be dressed in its orange veil. My books are dusted with cinnamon, too. I love reading books while I'm baking. I love those quiet and cold afternoons spent next to the misted window with a book on my knees. Reading and creating shapes with my index finger on the window. Something smells burnt! "Oh, not again!", I whispered running to the oven. The cookies were slightly burnt. "Oh, where was my mind?" Suddenly, my boss shouted: "Evgenia, where are those cookies?". I couldn't admit that I was reading again and forgot the cookies AGAIN! So, I told him to wait for some minutes. I closed the door and started running anxiously in the kitchen. I brought all the coloured buttercream and sprinkles we had on my working table. Gingerbread men with eyes and mouths, shirts and little shoes. The cookies were so beautiful and not at all burnt. I displayed them on a cake stand and went to my boss. He was really surprised by the result. Ι was so excited! He stretched out his hand and grabbed one. I waited patiently for his opinion. "Evgenia!! Not again!", he shouted. 

Bake | Halloween Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

On 31st of October we'll find Halloween hidden in spiders and pumpkins! Little kids are dressing up into something spooky and knock at neighborhood doors asking for sweet treats. Don't forget to be as spookiest you can and shout "Trick or treat?" 

Halloween is not celebrated only by children. It gives us the opportunity to dress up into our spookiest self. Some days you just wanna be transformed into a witch and wander around Hogwarts holding your wand.  After that,  you go magically to the dining room and can't decide what you'll eat first. Somewhere there, between pumpkin pies you wanna find a big pumpkin cake with little meringue ghosts on top. The best part is that  you can enliven them using your wand. The ghosts will wander above the dining room dancing and scaring you and your friends. Follow the recipe step by step, light up some candles and let the pumpkin smell transform your kitchen into the hideout of a witch- cook! 

Hello October ❣

October is the month of Halloween! We have already prepared the special "Halloween treats". Pumpkin flavored cakes, delicacies full of "blood", spiders, candies and bats made of sugarpaste. Every single corner of the bakery has turned into a spooky hideout. Speaking of hideouts . . . Yesterday, my boss asked me to bring two pumpkins from the cellar. I hadn't been there since that day. Ι decended the stairs. I felt a breeze moving my apron. I couldn't find any light switch.  I heard some whispers. Ι followed a thin ray of light. A smaller room was there. I could see black candlesticks, spiders, big pumpkins and green jam. At the end of the room green foam was coming out of a crock pot. I walked tiptoe across the room. I saw a lady adding seeds in a cake batter. She was whispering spells. I was so scared. I couldn't move. Suddenly, she stared at me straight in the eyes. She smiled and said: " Trick or treat?" 

Bake | Fudgy Brownies (basic recipe)

We are getting ready for autumn. For the real one! A few rainy days and my sore throat (oh yes!) don't fool us. We can't really tell that "Autumn is here"! I can't wait to wear my knit cardigan and my glitter oxfords,  to wear my high-knee socks and drink hot chocolate with my boyfriend at our favorite parisian café. Later, when the first dark falls, you want nothing but cuddles at the couch while watching your favorite series.

In the morning, you' ll find a journal full of lists ready to be filled with your weekly program, recommended books and movies.Next to it, there is a mug filled with flavored coffee and some brownies dusted with cocoa powder and some icing sugar.

How beautiful autumn mornings smell like! 

Bake | Triple Naked Layer Carrot Cake

September smells like rain and carrot cake. There's nothing better for a rainy day than gathering at home with your family or friends and bake a glorious carrot cake to serve with your tea. Sweet afternoons around the record player, chitchat and delicious slices of carrot cake waiting at pastel plates to be eaten. The only think missing? Some rain and orange leaves, please! 

Hello September ❣ - The Bakery Project

Ιt's September. A couple of days ago we pulled out of the attic the box with our autumn decoration. Brown and orange garlands, leaves, branches, lanterns and pumpkin spice candles. A quite and warm afternoon we all gathered at the bakery and started decorating the place. Dancing in the rhythm of Ella Fitzerald's great hits (luckily my boss loves jazz music and that's why you will find a record player standing next to the shelves with the cake stands) while hanging garlands on the shelves, cupboards and shop windows. 

Drin!

The carrot cakes are ready. Baked and smelling like autumn. Cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The secret of autumnal bliss. I love this smell. It makes everything orange and warm. The cream cheese frosting is ready in the fridge in a big pastel pink bowl. Using my spatula I spread this white and fluffy cloud on the cakes. I can't resist dipping my finger in the frosting for a taste. I always do that when nobody watches. This is the fun part of my job. Ohh, that creamy feeling taste and the flavor of orange zest. 

"Christina!!", my boss shouted.

"Oops!", I said and smiled like a bunny - carrot thief. 

Every month, a new "Hello" - The Balloon Project

 One more "Hello" Project is over. The balloon project. This year was all about balloons. Yellow, pink, green, purple, white, blue, red, heart shaped or the regular ones. Flowers, snow, seashore, meadows and gardens. These were some of our backgrounds. We tried to fit in each landscape with our balloons and create something that reminds you of every month. 

This was our second "Hello" project. We enjoyed each one of the photoshootings and  loved your lovely comments and thoughts. 

Every last days of each month we were taking our balloons and permanent marker, dressed in our themed clothes and headed to our monthly destination. Some times it was was hard for us to find the right place or the weather wasn't that "friendly". But, every picture has something unique and that's why we love the final collage. It's so moving and nostalgic to look back to those pics. 

In some days we are starting the new "Hello project" and we are so excited about it! The "Hello September" is ready and we can't wait to share it with you! We already adore it! 

Let it be a lovely "Hello" that will accompany you in every first of the month. 

Enjoy!

Raspberry tartlets with white chocolate filling

Είμαστε στην καρδιά του Αυγούστου. Λίγες μέρες μετά το δεκαπενταύγουστο, αναπολούμε τις διακοπές του τριημέρου ή μετράμε αντίστροφα για τις διακοπές του καλοκαιριού που άργησαν πολύ φέτος. Δεν ξέρω για εσάς αλλά μετά το δεκαπενταύγουστο έχω την αίσθηση ότι σιγά σιγά μπαίνουμε σε κλίμα ανασυγκρότησης - κάπως έτσι βλέπω το φθινόπωρο. Μεγάλες αλλαγές στο μπλογκ για τις οποίες είμαστε πολύ χαρούμενες και ικανοποιημένες. Πείτε μας τη γνώμη σας! Ετοιμασίες για τη νέα σειρά των "Hello". Αχ ανυπομονούμε να μοιραστούμε μαζί σας τo νέo μας "Ηello September". Πολλά σχέδια για τη νέα σεζόν, λίστες με ιδέες και συνταγές και πολλή έμπνευση. 
Τα ταρτάκια αυτά πιστεύω πως είναι ο καλύτερος και γλυκύτερος τρόπος να αποχαιρετήσουμε το καλοκαίρι και να υποδεχτούμε σιγά σιγά το φθινόπωρο με τα πεντανόστιμα καλούδια του. Δοκιμάστε τα και θα μας θυμηθείτε! Είναι πολύ εύκολα και ισορροπημένα καθώς η οξύτητα των φραμπουάζ δεν αφήνει τη λευκή σοκολάτα να σε λιγώσει. 

Bake | Chocolate Caramel layer cake

Sweet 24. 24 years behind me and a glorious birthday cake standing in front of me. After a good research on pinterest and a lot tutorials on layer cakes, we proudly present you our first -good looking- layer cake. Being in love with layer cakes for the last years, I made a huge research on Internet about them. Their types, frosting techniques, marzipan and sugar paste, sprinkles and flowers.

Τhursday, 4th of August - my birthday. I woke up early in the morning (oh well!) and started preparing my cake. Colorful smoke of sugar, cocoa, chocolate and caramel, tins and piping nozzles. The sweetest mess in the kitchen under the melodic voice of Frank Sinatra coming out of my brand new, little, vintage suitcase. What's in the suitcase? A record player with a dancing vinyl on it, a present from my beloved boyfriend(❤). 

Swing steps and mixing batters between oven and fridge. Take all the time needed in order to make the best cake. Don't rush! Let your cakes cool completely, refrigerate in between, make the fluffiest frosting and decorate your cake carefully. Rememeber, in the next cake recipes you' ll be better. 

Ιt's the best cake we have tried so far. So moist and aromatic. We loved it! A special cake for a special day with our loved ones.

Ηello August ✿

August. It's the last month of summer. Wear your favorite dress, make a flower crown and run to a beautiful beach. Go up to a hill and gaze the blue and peaceful sea. Let the breeze make your hair move as if it was dancing. Sit back and think of the things you are thankful for, dream a lot and make plans to make the last month of summer count. 

                                               Have a great August everybody!

                                                          ✿

Αύγουστος. Ο τελευταίος μήνας του καλοκαιριού. Φόρεσε το αγαπημένο σου φόρεμα, φτιάξε ένα στεφάνι από λουλούδια και τρέξε σε μία όμορφη παραλία. Ανέβα σε ένα ψηλό σημείο και αγνάντευε τη γαλάζια και γαλήνια θάλασσα. Άσε τον αέρα να ανακατεύει τα μαλλιά σου και να κάνει το φόρεμα σου να χορεύει. Σκέψου τα πράγματα για τα οποία είσαι ευγνώμων, κάνε όνειρα και σχέδια για να περάσεις τέλεια τον τελευταίο μήνα του καλοκαιριού. 

                            Να έχετε έναν όμορφο και ξέγνοιαστο Αύγουστο!

Love,

Show the deer some love

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Berry tartlets | The video

A little deer wore its floral dress and fills little puff-pastry cups with fluffy cream and passion fruits. Τhis is our first attempt to make a video. It was so fun filming and editing it. We really liked the outcome with the different scenes and the music. We hope to make more soon! Tell us your opinion! Enjoy!

Βake | Rachel Khoo's berry tartlets with cream cheese frosting

Hello July ✿

July. Be prepared for the hottest month of the year. Island summer vacations or summer in the city? Both of them have their own beauty and charm. Endless time at the beach, 
tasting seafood and night strolls at the lanes or daytrips with your friends, packing lunch and fruits for the cravings between your plunges in the sea and then relaxing at night at your balcony with your favorite detective novel? 
Whatever you choose, don't forget to smile and to be surrounded by people you love!

Have a great July everyone!

✿

Ιούλιος. Προετοιμάσου για τον πιο ζεστό μήνα του χρόνου. Διακοπές σε νησί ή καλοκαίρι στην πόλη; Το καθένα έχει τη δική τους ομορφιά και γοητεία. Ατελείωτες ώρες στην παραλία, μεσημεριανό σε ψαροταβέρνα και νυχτερινοί περίπατοι στα σοκάκια ή ημερήσιες εκδρομές με την παρέα, μεσημεριανό σε πακέτο και φρούτα για τις λιγούρες ανάμεσα στις βουτιές σου και μετά χαλάρωση το βράδυ στο μπαλκόνι με το αγαπημένο σου αστυνομικό μυθιστόρημα; Ό,τι κι αν διαλέξεις μην ξεχάσεις να γελάς και να είσαι με ανθρώπους που αγαπάς!

Να έχετε έναν υπέροχο Ιούλιο!

Love,

Show the deer some love

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Bake | Summer cake with berries

Το καλοκαίρι έφθασε. Ανυπομονείς να έρθει το Σαββατοκύριακο και να τρέξεις στην πιο κοντινή παραλία. Ήλιος, αλμύρα, θάλασσα, φίλοι και γέλια. Πικ νικ στην άμμο κάτω από τον ίσκιο των βράχων ή σε καταπράσινα δάση. To βράδυ στη βεράντα με παγωμένη λεμονάδα και το αγαπημένο σου βιβλίο. Για τους πιο τολμηρούς, προτείνουμε βραδινή παραλία! Ξαπλώνεις στην άμμο και χαζεύεις το γαλαξία με καλή παρέα.  

Τα Σαββατοκύριακα μπαίνεις στην κουζίνα από νωρίς, όσο έχει ακόμα δροσιά. Ανοίγεις τα παράθυρα, μαζεύεις τα μαλλιά σου και αρχίζεις το ξεφύλλισμα εκείνου του τετραδίου που σημειώνεις τις αγαπημένες σου συνταγές. Εκεί ανάμεσα σε ζωγραφιές από μικρές φράουλες και κεράσια βρίσκεις αυτό το πεντανόστιμο και εύκολο καλοκαιρινό κέικ της Martha Stewart. Καλοκαιρινό λόγω των φρούτων. Μπορείς όμως να βάλεις οποιοδήποτε φρούτο έχεις στο σπίτι σου. Από φράουλες και κεράσια μέχρι αχλάδια και μήλα με λίγη κανέλα ή μοσχοκάρυδο. Αυτές οι συνταγές που σου αφήνουν το ελεύθερο να αυτοσχεδιάσεις -έτσι λίγο- δεν είναι οι καλύτερες;  

Έχουμε νέα! Τους δύο τελευταίους μήνες δημοσιεύουμε συνταγές μας στο e-daily.gr/food. Είμαστε πολύ χαρούμενες για τη νέα αυτή συνεργασία. Μας γεμίζει όρεξη και έμπνευση για νέες γεύσεις και φωτογραφίσεις. Για τη συνταγή αυτή στα ελληνικά, πατήστε εδώ.  

Ακολούθησε βήμα - βήμα τη συνταγή και υποσχόμαστε πως όλο το σπίτι θα μυρίσει φράουλα και καλοκαίρι!