Sunday 17th May (ie today !) is World Baking Day and, to mark the occasion, Stork has created the world’s happiest cake to encourage people to spend more time on themselves and their loved ones. The World’s Happiest Cake includes mood elevating ingredients such as coconut, mango and lime - sounds gorgeous !
COCONUT, MANGO AND LIME CAKE RECIPE
Servings: 16
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 10 minutes
225g Stork block
325g caster sugar
4 eggs, medium
250g self-raising flour
100g plain flour
Zest of 2 limes
50g dried mango, finely chopped
50g flaked almonds
50g desiccated coconut
Syrup
Juice of 2 limes
60g caster sugar
Filling
55g (2 oz) Stork tub
175g icing sugar
1-2 teaspoons milk
100g mango puree (fresh or tinned)
Topping
100g icing sugar, sieved
25g each of shredded or desiccated coconut and dried mango
15g each sunflower and pumpkin seeds
15g flaked almonds, toasted
1. To make cake, place Stork block and sugar in a mixing bowl and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time and fold in remaining ingredients
2. Place the mixture in a greased and bottom lined 23cm deep cake tin
3. Bake on the middle shelf of a preheated moderate oven 170° C, 160° C fan oven, Gas mark 4 for 1 hour 10 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean
4. Turn out and cool on a wire tray
5. For the syrup place sugar and lime juice in a pan over moderate heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Bring to the boil and then pour over warm cake
6. Filling: place Stork tub, sugar and milk together in a bowl and beat together until smooth. Split cake into 3 and sandwich together with icing and mango puree
7. To finish the cake, make a glace icing by adding either lime juice or water to the icing sugar until a thick pouring consistency and spread over the cake. Top with a mix of seeds, mango, coconut and almonds
Emma Kenny, renowned psychologist has partnered with Stork and has commented on how baking can be a therapeutic exercise that promotes good mental health and helps us to be more mindful. Emma has provided a list of twelve top tips on how to be more mindful which helps us to detract from the day-to-day stresses of modern life too.
1) Having 'me' time is essential for positive mental health. Spending time doing things that inspire you makes you happy. Whether it's baking, walking the dog, salsa dancing or practising meditation, self-activity inspires a positive attitude.
2) Happiness comes from nurturing relationships, so make sure you make time for yours. Whether it's scheduling a date night with your partner, taking the kids to the park or having some cake with a friend, connection is an essential role in happiness
3) Set yourself goals - make sure you list the things that you want from your life and then note how you intend to achieve them. Setting goals and working towards achieving them makes us feel great about ourselves and ensures you can reflect on your success
4) Learn to relax. It doesn't matter how – be it taking a long soak in the bath, listening to relaxing music, or by going for an energising run; relaxing is essential in happiness. Try to set aside at least twenty minutes a day simply winding down
5) Learn to be self-full! Before you can make anyone else happy, you need to make sure you are. Look after your own needs first, this way you will have energy for everyone else's
6) Learn to say no! Instead of thinking of it as saying no to someone, think of it instead as saying yes to you. People who accept that saying no is a good thing, tend to feel happier and less overwhelmed than people who agree to do whatever they are asked
7) Do something you are afraid of! Taking risks make us happy. Trying a new activity, facing a fear or joining a new interest group can feel scary, but the rewards are worth it. People who take risks tend to be happier and more successful than those who don't
8) Try and live in the present. So many of us are second guessing what's going to happen that we fail to experience what's happening right now and consequently end up missing out. Take a breath and look at how amazing your life is right now
9) Take a digital detox! Stop comparing your life on social media with everyone else's. By putting your laptop, smart phone and tablets away, even if just for an evening or a couple of hours per day, you will significantly reduce anxiety
10) Get outside. Go for a walk or run in the fresh air, aside from being fantastic for your physical health, getting outside is fantastic for psychological wellbeing
11) Treat yourself – whether it's a pamper day or a trip to the theatre with your best friend, rewarding yourself for simply being you is a great way to boost self esteem
12) Identify your personal strengths for a positivity boost! Noting how skilled we are in certain areas of our lives can remind us of just how talented we are and make us feel great
Bake yourselves happy this World Baking Day with Stork, by rustling up the World’s Happiest Cake recipe to share with friends and family. Visit www.worldbakingday.com for more details and select that special someone to bake for
No comments:
Post a Comment