Baking with Spirit: June 2014

It’s taken me three attempts to write this opening line, but each of them just makes me sound like a bit of a cake-munching alcoholic. Perhaps I should just face up to reality and accept it…

I really like both baking and drinking. It’s probably not a surprise then that I really like things that combine these two activities -that’s why I’m really happy to let you know that I’m hosting Baking with Spirit this month.

Normally found on Janine’s Cake of the Week, this challenge pits some of the most ingenious bakers against the bottle - often said to be one of the trickiest things to add to baking (just try making something that both Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood approve of!), alcohol can be somewhat of a menace to the baking process, but can also add a spectacular extra dimension to a baked creation.

For this month’s challenge I’m taking us back to the basics and doing something chefs are often advised against - playing about with a combination that’s so classic it’s got an army of loyal followers. Our theme is simply this: Reinvent a Classic.

Whether you want to mutilate a Manhattan, shake up a spirit, critique a cocktail or ponder a pint, I am leaving the choice of alcohol up to you - all I ask you to do is create something a little out of the ordinary with it. I for one have my sights set on a G&T (and after I’ve drunk it I might then decide what to bake).

The rules are simple, and can be found below, but the details you really need are the deadline - 28th June - and my email address to send your entries to - [email protected]. Remember to share your treats and the challenge details to your foodie friends - the more entries the better!

Good luck, and happy baking!

The Boring Bits (aka The Rules)

1. Bake or create something that Reinvents a Classic (we’re pretty liberal, so if it’s not baked, don’t worry).

2. Write a post about it on your blog (or anywhere else you fancy, but graffiti on a building might not go down so well), in which you should mention ‘Baking with Spirit’ and link to both The Usual Saucepans and Cake of the Week.

3. You can also include the challenge’s badge to the post.

4. Email me ([email protected]) a link to your post BEFORE midnight on the 28th June and I’ll include it in the round up shortly after.

5. If you are promoting on social media include the hashtag #bakingwithspirit, mention Janine (@CakeOfTheWeek) or me (@craigcockburn) or link to my Facebook page and we’ll endeavour to share it.

Craig (232 Posts)

Edinburgh-dwelling, baking and food-obsessed, twenty-something adventure enthusiast. Runs on liberal amounts of coffee, cheese, cake and gin; bribable with same.