An Afternoon Tea Affair

What springs to mind when mentioning a typically tempting, indulgent British afternoon? For me it's spending quality time down in Somerset with my family, treating ourselves to a long overdue catch up whilst stuffing our chops full of clotted cream scones and mini cakelets! (Yes I have just made up the word cakelets…I'm going to roll with that one, I rather enjoy it)

So that is exactly what we did!

And we all know how much I love a girly afternoon tea!

But not just the one afternoon tea this time, no siree! We only went and had two! Not on the same day though - that would have just been plain greedy (!)

Our weekend kicked off with a sunny afternoon strolling around Bath, sipping frothy cappuccinos and window shopping for goodies. Followed by a couple of treatments at The Macdonald Spa Hotel - me a deep tissue massage (bliss) and mum a pedicure for her twinkle toes. 

We sun'd ourselves silly whilst munching finger sarnies, freshly baked warm scones, Bath buns (which were a revelation! Like a mini doughnut bun filled with sugar), mini eclairs topped with blueberries & choccie buttons(!), fruit boats and mini jars of lemon meringue cheesecake.

Actual heaven. 

And yes, that is a chocolate mousse with a base of coco pops, topped with honeycomb and raspberry! Nom nom nom. 

The hotel itself was stunning, covered in blossoming wisteria and set in the most beautiful grounds - within walking distance of Bath city centre but far enough away from the buzz to be in utter peace and tranquility. 

My beautiful mama :)

Safe to say we didn't want to leave. Luckily we had another one to look forward to! Such piglets.

Our second, Sunday afternoon tea took place at the beautiful Mount Somerset Hotel near Taunton. This was a whole family affair as my brother and I bought it for mum & dad as a present way back when. As the sun decided to go into hiding on Sunday, we snuggled into the cosy armchairs,  nearly fell asleep  and supped our various choices of tea leaves whilst gassing and giggling over another mountain of munch! 

Such a civilised and treat-filled weekend! Made even better by the fact that it was spent with my 3 favourite people in the world. And what topped my weekend off with a cherry, was having my other favourite person waiting to greet me when I got back to London! Fresh off the Carousel tour and ready with cuddles :) and blueberry banana bacon pancakes!!!

Do we think I need to diet this week…..perhaps a little.

But then again... :)

Betty x

Salted Chocolate Popcorn Crispy Cakes!

You know that feeling of utter joy when you forget you've made something the night before and open your fridge the morning after… yeah that.

Beaming.

That was my breakfast sorted. Sweet yet salty, chocolatey, sticky marshmallowy yumminess! These babies are the easy peasiest treat to whip up in less than 20 minutes.

And lets face it, who doesn't love the humble rice crispy cake. (If you answered 'me' to said question, we need to have some serious words)

I used to love making rice crispy cakes with my mum and cornflake nests at Easter! If there's chocolate involved…I'm there with bells on. 

I've always been a 'sweet' popcorn lover - strongly opposed to salty popcorn, but by using sweet and salted popcorn with these cakes, it helps to cut through the sweetness and makes them even scrummier me thinks.

What You'll Need //

Rice crispies
1 big bar of dark chocolate
1 bag of sweet'n'salty popcorn
1 tbsp golden syrup
Mini marshmallows
Cupcake cases

Makes approximately 24 cakes

Method

Break up your chocolate into squares and, along with a handful of marshmallows, place in a bowl smaller than your saucepan. Boil the kettle and carefully pour the boiling water into your saucepan until 1/4 full. Do not turn hob on!

Place your bowl of choccie & marshmallows into the boiling water and leave to melt giving the occasional prod & stir.

Into a large mixing bowl pour your melted chocolate, golden syrup and add as much popcorn and rice crispies as you like! Give it all a good stir and keep adding rice crispies until you're happy :)

Place your cupcake cases into a cupcake tray and generously fill with your heavenly choccie mixture. Decorate with a few more marshmallows because…why the hell not and leave to set in the fridge (or don't…I snuck at least 2 before bed time)

Enjoy mi amigos!

Me and my girlyfriends are going for a spa afternoon on Saturday so guess what I'll be supplying them with :)

Also, did you see La Coco Noire's blog post about making my Gooey Banoffee Cookies ?! I was seriously flattered. What a gem.

Betty x

10 Favourites // April Edition

Drip drip drop little April showers…la la la does anyone actually know the rest of the words? Because I don't. Well I've been a busy B this month keeping myself amused whilst William is rehearsing up north. Highlights being- spending quality time with my bezzie who's back from tour, baking to my heart's content and I got a job! <3

Song of the month: Friday I'm In Love - The Cure

Filling my freezer with mint Cornettos during that mini heat wave YUM.

Being cast in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Hay Fever! I'm super excited and will keep you all updated when I start rehearsals in June :)

A FIRST - a lovely fellow blogger La Coco Noire has written a whole post about one of my recipes. I was touched and so happy she loved her Gooey Banana Cookies as much as I loved mine! Thanks Katie <3

The Betty Stamp had its Half birthday! 6 months of blogging and still loving every minute. I feel some sort of celebratory cake recipe coming on...

Attacking my over grown garden. It's like therapy - de weeding, mowing the lawn, now I want to cover it in pretty flower pots & orange trees for the summer and grow a little herb garden.

Being treated to a hair cut, colour and manicure at Gielly Green! I felt very pampered. The hair wash chairs are like beds! And the Essie polish I ended up buying because I loved the colour so much - Maximillion strasse-her.

Being able to be in the same room as my bezzie. Supping on pimms in the sunshine and having a well needed gas. She's never allowed to work abroad ever again. I've put my foot down.

Singing at the Epsom races with The Dukebox Singers and rehearsing in preparation for the Derby & ladies day. Come say hello if you're going!

Easter! Everything about Easter was lovely - up in York with William's family eating ALL of the choccie, ALL of the roast lamb and proper Yorkshire puds :) Also receiving my Lindt bunny from Mandy at One Slice of Lemon blog. What a sweetie.

Yummy brunch at No.32 in Clapham Old Town. If you're a London bunny then you must check it out, complete with twinkly roof terrace which will be glorious in the summer time.


What have been your favourite moments of April lovely people?

For last month's 5 faves have a peak over here :)

Betty x