Red Velvet Cake Mini

Till recently I was completely indifferent about red velvet cake, while it is truly North American dessert and here in Europe red velvet can be found in bakeries and cafes very rarely. And to be completely honest, I was afraid of eating cake with red layers, because it seemed very unnatural and I just couldn't imagine what taste it could possibly have.  However, not long ago I was lucky to come upon red velvet cake for the first time and I was just blown down with it! I had no idea that this cake can be so good. It is not simply a chocolate cake, it has a distinguishing flavor and texture, unlike any other. I knew the next cake I bake definitely will be a red velvet.

You know that I don't need a reason to bake a cake, but since the Valentine's Day is just around the corner...red velvet cake seemed to be a perfect thing to bake. Also I didn't want to make a giant cake and waste huge amount of ingredients. Plus, I was not sure whether it turns out eatable good. So, I had an idea of making mini cake for two. How great is that?! Especially when you need only two 400 ml (14 oz) cans to bake the layers! I adore this idea. And I am sure I will make more mini cakes. 

So, the cake not just turned out eatable good, it was fantastic! Moist, crumbly layers and a delicate cream cheese frosting both with a hint of orange (inspired by naked red velvet cake by Michelle, which looks magnificent, by the way!). One of the best cakes I have made so far. The recipe makes two mini cakes 8 cm (3 inch) in diameter each. But you can divide ingredients in two to make just one mini cake.

Whole Grain Waffles with Coffee & Cardamom Ganache

Are you aware of what happens when in your kitchen appears a waffle maker? No? I am here to tell you it is not good. Really. The first thing you will do, you  take any old google recipe and immediately try it out. You will be disappointed, because the waffles turn out disgusting, they taste like a piece of rubber. Then you try again, and again, and again. Now you are devastated and you want to throw that stupid waffle maker out of your sight. Then approximately in a month, when you have calmed down, you become obsessed with an idea of finding a perfect recipe. This is war. 

A little bit dramatic and exaggerated? Yes. But it is a true story. And I just had to vent my feelings. 

Five waffle recipes in a week. Six waffle breakfasts in a week. And I don't wanna have another piece of waffle on my plate for the next month, again! But my efforts are rewarded. I won the war. I found that very one recipe! And I'm happy about it even though I can not look at waffles any more. Joking.

Gingerbread Men

Hello guys! First things first. I want to wish you guys happy winter holidays! 

It's been a while. A long long long while. I am so sorry for not updating, maybe some other time, when I feel the right words, I will share my thoughts on this matter. But not today! Because it is holidays and no one is interested in lyrical digressions. And honestly, after half a year break I have a feeling like I am writing a post for a first time - I don't know where to start at, I don't have the right words and I feel like I am a first-former without knowing an alphabet.

I haven't been baking lately except for my date sweetened oatmeal cookies, that became a must on my kitchen, and occasionally some birthday cakes for my relatives. And to be honest, I wasn't planning Christmas baking this year. But as it turned out, I couldn't imagine winter holidays without baking. It just didn't feel right! I literally had an urge to bake, bake, bake. 

What does smell like Christmas? Bingo! Gingerbread Man. I've been baking gingerbread every Christmas. And it even never occurred to me that I can share the recipe, because it seems that everyone knows it, even children. But these cute little gingerbread men are so good! The recipe always works well, it is easy and fun to make and the smell...they smell like Christmas!

Greece, Rhodes

No, I haven't been to Greece recently, but cleaning a computer can be a very useful thing! This is how I came across these 2 year old photos in my archives. I have to say that it was a pleasant surprise, while almost all of the photos have been shot in RAW.  Which means I could give them a second birth, because back then I was only a beginner and I had no idea of how to use Photoshop and Lightroom.

Plus, tomorrow I will be on my way to Dresden, where I will spend the next month. So, I thought it is the best time to show photos from trip to Greece, 'cause the next time I will post something is gonna be not earlier than I am back home and it will be for sure about my time in Germany. But anyway I will always update my Instagram account and I will keep in touch. I don't want to bring my laptop with me, just to travel light and enjoy my trip as much as I possibly can. Love you all, guys!
More photos inside.

Buckwheat Poppy Seed Pancakes with Blueberries (GF & SF)

I did it... I have finally passed all summer term examinations! To say that I am happy is to say nothing! Yesterday I just spent the whole day in bed, sleeping after a farewell party, reading a book in between and planning out summer holidays.  About that, in two weeks I am leaving for Germany for a month! I am so so so excited. I wanted to spend summer holidays somewhere far from home to distract the mind, so I hope this journey will be a bit of change for me. I am gonna stay in Dresden, though I really want to travel the country a lot. And also I thought about spending a few days in Prague. So, if some of you feel like sharing a cup of coffee with me, it would be a pleasure!

I made these pancakes something like a week ago, when I was preparing for examinations. These are a great healthy, nutritious and gluten-free breakfast. I have cooked with buckwheat flour for the first time and I have to say that the nutty taste of buckwheat is just amazing! I am already experimenting with buckwheat in different recipes and hope to share the results in the upcoming posts. 

Black Forest Cake Light (Sugar Free) and a Blog Birthday

This is a Sweet Blog turns ONE today! First blog birthday! First anniversary! 

I couldn't even imagine that this blog would take such a significant part of my life. As a matter of fact, I couldn't imagine that I could have a blog at all! Since I can remember my passion for cooking, I have always been reading other food blogs and I always thought that it would be so nice one day to have my own. However, I have never taken it seriously and it seemed to be just another unrealisable dream.

Gluten & Sugar - Free Healthy Orange Cheesecake

I have  made this cheesecake for the very first time in the beginning of May. Since than I've made it three more times, almost every weekend. And all this time I have been wanting to share the recipe with you so badly! 

The first time  I made this cheesecake, it was absolutely spontaneous. I happen to have 2 kg of the really good quality farmer cheese . Me + 2 kg of farmer cheese = baking.  I decided it must be a cheesecake, because actually I had been craving  after it for some time back than. So, when I had an opportunity to bake a lighter version, I didn't have to think twice. There was just a tiny problem - I was left without my camera for the whole week, so obviously no pictures - no post. However, it may have been even for the better, since I have improved the recipe afterwards.

I am not gonna lie, it was a wild month.  Every time I had made a cheesecake, there always were some obstacles in the way to hinder me from sharing the recipe. At first, I didn't have camera, then came an examination week, right after it - my birthday, the celebration of which have dragged on for the whole week! Yeah, now I am 20, by the way!

During all May this cheesecake has been my true saviour and a great friend. It is a perfect snack when I crave for something sweet, though it is flourless and sugar-free! I hope you will fall in love with it like I did. 

P.S. Do you also feel like a criminal when you pick the flowers in the public place?