Thursday 29 August 2013

Baked Nutella Donuts


Something about a big deep fryer bubbling with hot oil makes me not want to make donuts. But then! A recipe appears where hot oil is non-existent and a friendly oven becomes your go to guy. These donuts are a bit cakey, a bit spongy, a whole lot of wonderful. Recipe adapted from here. You might want to double the recipe; six donuts don't go very far. ;)
      

 Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or potato starch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 large egg
Nutella Glaze:
  •  3 heaped tablespoons nutella
  • a few splashes whipping cream or half and half, really any amount until you reach your desired consistency!  

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly butter a donut pan.
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cornstarch (or potato starch), baking powder and salt.
In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together milk, butter, vinegar and egg.
Pour mixture over dry ingredients and stir using a spatula until moist.
Scoop batter evenly into donut pan.
Place into oven and bake for 7-8 minutes, or until donuts are slightly browned.

I decided to top these off with roasted coconut flakes. What a delicious choice that was. To roast coconut, line a pan with parchment and spread coconut flakes out evenly. In a preheated oven to 350 degrees, watch coconut VERY closely for about five minutes or until lightly browned. 

Happy Baking!  

Tuesday 27 August 2013

summer moments


Last night I arrived back home from a long weekend away at camp. My church puts on the most action packed camps imaginable, and this weekend was that and more. With an average of five hours sleep each night, crazy night games, dessert at 11 pm, laughing till your stomach hurt, and making new friends each day, I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the Summer. So far I've spent today unpacking my smelly and oh-so disorganised suitcase, looking through photo after photo, and moving at the pace of a snail. It's what happens when you don't stop moving for four days. ;) I'll share some photos soon, but for now here are a few images I took the days before the whirlwind of camp began...
Much love, Vivi

Tuesday 20 August 2013

A wedding to remember// cosmic adventures

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to assist wedding photographer Breanne de Bliek during one of the most unique, personality-filled weddings you could ever imagine. In between my assisting jobs, I managed to snag a few pictures too. ;) The theme was galaxy, and each detail perfectly reflected the couple's creativity. With everything from an alien inspired cake topper to a stunning handmade bouquet for each bridesmaid, this couple nailed it. And how could you say no to those cupcakes? I sure didn't. ;) Here's to inspiring, love filled, gloriously sunny weddings! Maybe even shooting one myself someday... :) 

Much love, Vivi

Monday 12 August 2013

At the Gardens


 My family and I, we share this love. A love for gardens, for nature, for the fresh air of trails, for bits and pieces of green making their way indoors. And so, on one of the few days where our schedules line up and we're all home together, a trip to see the beautiful sights that Minter Gardens has to hold is a must.
Much love, Vivi

Friday 9 August 2013

A cake with a little secret


This cake isn't much unlike his unhealthy, equally as tempting cake cousin. Both are delicious, lip-smacking, dinner-replacing worthy creatures. EXCEPT. This cake, my friends, has a whole can of white navy beans. As in, beans. Yes, beans. BEANS. When I saw this recipe on Joy the Baker's blog, my inner kitchen rebel couldn't pass it down. Pfff, beans in a cake?! If that works then I neeeeed to try it out. And I did. And I'm hooked. I followed the cake recipe and then topped it with a classic mocha buttercream icing. Delicious!

Much love, Vivi

Tuesday 6 August 2013

Documenting Today: a photo (or two) an hour

9 am//
10 am// 
11 am//
12 pm//1 pm//2 pm//

3 pm//
4 pm//

5 pm//6 pm//
7 pm//
8 pm//
 9 am// making a healthy breakfast with some green tea; mr. inky saying good morning
10 am// eating breakfast and doing devotions outside with the lillies
11 am// talking with the big brother while he plans my future ;)
12 pm// making a "recipe" for a healthy marriage for a friend's bridal shower
1 pm// outside in the sun with my neighbor's dog
2 pm// eating THE most amazing lemon biscotti while reading "The Source" by James Michener
3 pm// while washing dishes I saw a little hummingbird visiting our flowers
4 pm// taking a break from closet organizing
5 pm// listening to a Joyce Meyer podcast with mom beading away in front of me
6 pm// inspired by Ana Rifle's stationary to water colour dainty flowers
7 pm// my just-finished-a-fabulous-breakfast-for-dinner smile
8 pm// and when the heat of the day cools off, perfect running weather is created.
Not pictured: Organizing my closet for about two hours, a long long warm shower, and a delicious but very un photogenic lunch of noodles :)