Strictly not a picture of cake I know.
But this is the cake version!
Yes, I am to be betrothed!
As previously recounted, last month A swept me away to Sardinia as a surprise for my 30th birthday.
Wall to wall sunshine? Tick. Long, deserted beaches? Tick. Crystal, clear aquamarine sea? Tick. It had Bounty bar advert written all over it.
And on my actual birthday, we headed down to the beach, started relaxing in the sun and daydreaming of cakes. Well, I was at any rate.
Then, A leapt up, deciding he wanted a little swim. He jumped into the sea and began encouraging me to join him. I responded with loving, romantic comments as 'Nooooo, A, it'll be effing freezing' and 'I told you, I got to a well exciting bit in my book, I can't possibly leave it now' and 'LEAVE ME ALONE!!'
After a good fifteen minutes of my protestations, A said: 'Come in, I've a question I want to ask you'
Once I'd decided it was unlikely to be: 'What exactly is the point of Golden Caster Sugar? It always tastes the same as ordinary caster sugar to me?' I ran in.
To find A there, on his knee, asking me to marry me!
Readers, I said yes*.
Yes, of course.
And then almost drowned A in my excitement. Once he'd recovered ('Its okay A, I'm a nurse! I know how to do the Heimlich maneouvre!'), we spent the rest of the day celebrating with much, much Prosecco.
And this is the cake I made to celebrate:
Engagement Ring Blueberry Soured Cream Cake
The recipe is from BBC Good Food and can be found right here. I simply baked it in a 9 inch bundt tin, reserving 1 tbsp of the cake mixture to bake in a silicone muffin case as the diamond, which I baked for approximately 15 minutes alongside the bundt cake.
Baker's notes...
- The original recipe suggests a cream cheese frosting. I served the bundt dusted with icing sugar and with a dollop or two of creme fraiche
- The cake-diamond unfortunately cracked a little. I sincerely hope real life does not mirror cake life.
- I used the brilliant Cake Release Spray, kindly sent to me to Dr Oetker to try out and which I found to be very useful for the more awkward cake tins. I also used the Silver Shimmer Spray for the diamond effect on my collapsing diamond! With many thanks to Dr Oetker for sending these products for me to try out.
* I've always wanted to say that!!
Congratulations, what a lovely proposal and a great way to celebrate. Hope you'll both be very happy! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! and the cake looks great too
ReplyDeleteCongratulations - that's a beautiful sparkler you have! Cake looks like a brilliant way to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteooh congratulations! please tell me you didn't bake the cake whilst romantically holidaying in Sardinia??
ReplyDeleteOoooo congratulations....and what a beautiful ring!!! The cake looks pretty good too! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! Such a lovely, romantic story and a gorgeous ring!!! Love the cake too - blueberries are one of my favourites :)
ReplyDeletesoooooooooooooooooooooooooo romantic!... so so beautiful... I love a good love story... now i'm weeping into my breakfast!... and you so daffy not going for a swim!... lovely bit of cake too xxxx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Kate!!! I love your ring, your cake and the story. Best wishes for a long and happy marriage filled with cake! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Beautiful ring and cake!
ReplyDeleteAh, what a lovely story. Many congrats. Such an exciting time. Will you be making your own wedding cake? X
ReplyDeleteMany, many congratulations.......oooh I remember that moment myself, 19 years ago last month - how time flies.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! How lovely, and what a lovely story! Love the idea of hubs-to-be having to cajole you into the sea, bet he was really starting to get nervous! Fab cake too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a gorgeously romantic story (apart from the bit about you refusing to get in the water, haha!). Love the ring-shaped cake too :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeletecongratulation :-)
What lovely news, the big question is..... Will you make your wedding cake?
ReplyDeleteWishing you many happy years ahead with A (a man who proposes so wonderfully sounds like a perfect husband.)
Oh Congratulations...what a happy post! XXX
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you and was thinking about what a special holiday it sounded like so we'll done to your man for proposing in such a romantic fashion!
ReplyDeleteI am dying to know what cake you will choose as I am sure it will be superb. Wishing you both lots of love and congratulations. Here's to a future of love followed closely by chocolate & cake! xx
WOOP! Congratulations! I'm very happy for you. Also, I can vouch for the fact that being married is the.best.thing.ever. Fact. xx
ReplyDeleteAah congratulations! Cake looks yummy too!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. What a perfect scenario for a proposal!
ReplyDeleteA million congratulations - I hope you are as happy as Mr CC and I are!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! When is the big day?
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and may you be as happy as a happy thing and more. What better way to celebrate than with a fine cake?
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome news: congratulations xxx
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderfully romantic!!!! congratualtions how lovely - and super cake too!
ReplyDeleteMary x
Congratulations - how lovely!
ReplyDeleteWAILS......I am LATE! I missed this post on Saturday, but CONGRATULATIONS Kate! SO SO SO SO happy for you! I LOVE the ring too.....BIG SMILES here Kate! XXXXXX Karen
ReplyDeleteAww congratulations! Beautiful ring...both of them! :)
ReplyDeleteMANY MANY congratulations. How did I miss this , wonderful news xxx
ReplyDelete