Gluten Free Maderia Cake

I've been using my breadmaker quite a lot recently - not necessarily for gluten free bread, as I've not yet come across a recipe with ingredients that I can use (I have a sulphite allergy too). So I often make this yummy madeira cake, using the following recipe.

Wet ingredients:
butter (melted) - 3/4 cup (150g)
vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp
eggs (beaten) - 3 medium
lemon juice - 2 tsp
water - 1/4 cup (60ml)

Dry ingredients:
gluten free flour (I use doves plain gluten free flour) - 1 full cup plus 5/8 cup (250g approx)
gluten free baking powder - 2 tsp
caster sugar - 1/2 cup (110g)
chopped raisins (I use sulphite free dried apricots) - 1/4 cup (41g)

Mix wet ingredients together in a bowl, and dry ingredients together in a bowl. Combine both together and mix. Pour into breadmaker and choose cake setting. My breadmaker does a bit of mixing then bakes for 80 minutes. I presume oven baking will take about the same length of time, although I haven't tried it myself. The cake is nice and moist - you wouldn't think it was gluten free. I do not use vanilla essence and it tastes nice without it. I also use a fresh lemon, not concentrated lemon, as this has a high level of sulphites. The cake needs eating quickly as there are no preservatives, so I leave mine to cool completely, cut into slices and freeze half of it straight away - otherwise I end up eating the whole lot in a couple of days - not good for the diet or the figure!! It's great with or without butter.

Let me know if you give it a try.......

Folksy Swap

I received a nice surprise in the post on Saturday. A parcel popped through the letterbox and at first I was intrigued as I knew I hadn't been internet shopping recently. Then I remembered about the Folksy swap I had agreed with elgee fink and ash. She had contacted me and asked if I was interested in a swap - one of my patterns for a handcrafted item from her shop. How exciting. I agreed of course (who can resist a swap?). I sent her three of my patterns, and in return I received a beautiful cream and blue brooch and a pretty hanging heart, both sent in a lovely knitted pouch that will be really handy to hold things (I'm thinking sanitary items? - now they won't fall out of my bag at work!!). Lorraine has lots more gorgeous goodies in her Folksy shop all made from recycled and found objects (a girl after my own heart) - just click on this link to take a look - elgee fink and ash.