Japan Candy Box Video *Giveaway Closed*

Who doesn't love sweets and candies? The blog was created with a love of sweet treats in mind! So when I was approached by Japan Candy Box to do a review of the latest box, I was delighted too!

They sent me the August 2015 box which arrived beautifully wrapped in some very kawaii purple paper! I have a list of the candies that was sent to me:

1.Kracie Tsunagete DIY Chain Candy-

Orange and bubblegum flavoured chain sweets, which were delightfully chewy. Also, they are fun to put together but I prefer to just to eat them. 

2.Kracie Neru Neru Nerune DIY Candy-

Yikes, I hated this! The texture of the drink of terrible, the flavour wasn't too bad however. It was fun to make but I wouldn't get this one again!

3.Rilakkuma Cookie Sticks-

These are so sweetly packaged. The cookies taste more like rich tea biscuits rather than cookies but they are so more-ish! Definitely one of my favourites in the box.

4.Puccho Watermelon Chewy Candy- 

Chewy, yet gummy and fruity. They truly taste like watermelon.  

5.Shigekix Super Sour Grape Gummies-

Wow! Talk about sour! These were so tasty but very strong. If you love sour sweets, you'll fall in love with these!

6.Yaokin Sour Grape Paper Candy- 

This 'paper candy' was leathery and way too chewy for my palette. However, the sour and grape flavour are spot on. 

7. Meiji Yan Yan Biscuit Sticks- 

I've had a similar product before and I do like this sweet too. The strawberry, for me, need to be stronger in flavour. Its still very enjoyable to moonch on!

8.Bourbon Petit Choco Filled Cookies-

These are so addictive! The vanilla and chocolate really complement each other.

9.Tohato Anpanman Caramel Corn- 

These have the texture of crisps but have a toffee flavoured sweetness. 

10. Moominvalley Biscuits-

I really like these chocolate biscuits and the design is quite detailed on each biscuit. 

Overall the candy box was really enjoyable. I loved most of the sweets, with a few exceptions. I would like to say a big thank you to Japan Candy Box for sponsoring the post. Do you like the look of the Candy Box? Well you can win one yourself by entering the competition link below. 

A Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! and Happy Baking!

*This post was sponsored by Japan Candy Box. They sent a candy box to me for free and are giving away a candy box to my readers!* 

Fat Friday #40 Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies

Its only 2 more weeks until October and already all I hear and see is pumpkin spice. Pumpkin Spice. Pumpkin. Spice. Spice with Pumpkin. EVERYWHERE! But I'm a fan of pumpkin spice, so I'm so happy with all of its sweet and spiceness in my life. 
This weeks recipe is a spiced pumpkin brownie, it takes a long while to bake as with most brownies but the result is worth it.

Recipe: Makes 30 small brownies (adapted from an old recipe I found in my recipe file.)

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mix:

• 85g cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 112g caster sugar
• 1 egg
• 220g pumpkin puree
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 1 tablespoon plain flour

Brownie Mix:

• 187g plain flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 168g dark chocolate, chopped
• 170g unsalted butter
• 506g caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• 60ml milk

Equipment:

• Brownie tin lined with silicone paper
• Mixing bowl x 3
• Saucepan with hot water and a heatproof bowl on top
• Spatula
• Hand held electric whisk/wooden spoon
• Large spoon
• Wire rack

1. Preheat oven 325f/160c/Gas Mark 3. Grease and line the brownie tin.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese:

2. In a mixing bowl beat the cream cheese and 1 tablespoon of butter until well combined. 

3. Add the sugar and beat again until fully incorporated. 

4. Beat in the egg, pumpkin puree and spices.   

5.Stir in the tablespoon of plain floor and set aside this cream cheese mixture for later.

Brownie Mix:
6. To melt the chocolate, place in a heatproof bowl above a saucepan of boiling water and stir it occasionally.  
7. While you wait for the chocolate to melt, in another bowl add all the dry ingredients and set aside.
8. In the final bowl, add the sugar and eggs to whisk together until it becomes pale. 
9. Once the chocolate has melted, add to the egg mixture. Beat in the milk.
10. Beat the dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture. The brownie mixture is complete.

To Finish: 
11. Spread the brownie mixture into the tin. Spoon the pumpkin cream cheese on top of the chocolate mixture and swirl through.
12. Bake for an 1 hour and 10 minutes or until the middle is just set when shaken. Its best to check it after an hour depending on your oven. 

13. Cool the whole tin on a wire rack until cool. Cut, and serve up the spiced pumpkin goodness. 

Love pumpkin so much? Check out this pumpkin list! 

Pumpkin Bakes

Need that hit of pumpkin now that autumn has hit? Check out our list right here!

1.Pumpkin Spice Syrup- Because we need this in every hot drink for the rest of autumn!

2.Horror Film Gory Cupcakes-These cupcakes are both adorable and horrific at the same time.

3.Pumpkin Pecan Bars-These always go down well at parties and are so moist. 

4. Pumpkin and Cheese Muffins- We needed a savoury one right?

Great for a snack or a super light lunch. 

Garlic Farm Goodies from The Garlic Festival 2015

Every year I go over to the Isle of Wight, about August time, to pop over to the Garlic Festival. This year I popped by and was very fortunate to see the lovely Rachel Khoo, the chef behind 'The Little Paris Kitchen' and got her autograph (!) and picture taken (!!). I was so shy, so there was no time to fangirl over her. 

Apart from seeing Rachel Khoo, I go to the festival for food and cider. I also get some beautiful liquorice from the St Valentine Liquorice Company every year, without fail. This year I got the mixed big of liquorice (I ate them all before I could take a picture). Watermelon is my absolute favourite liquorice.

But I did grab a couple of bits from the Garlic Farm Shop Tent. 
Firstly, I bought the Garlic Farm Cook Book which I intend to use frequently as I adore anything with garlic in it. It features a variety of recipes that are seasonally sectioned as well as lots of information on garlic. 

As seen on the above picture, I got lots of saucy bits. The Toasted Garlic Mayonnaise has been completely consumed. It was just perfect with everything that required dipping and especially great in sandwiches. 
The Soy Sauce with Black Garlic is sweeter on the palette then regular soy sauce. Ideal for cooking Asian dishes and I personally use it for Thai Red Curry, stir frys and as a light salad dressing. 
The Chilli and Garlic dressing is my new favourite. The dressing has a decent chilli heat with a hit of garlic. Its super versatile, I use it as a dressing for pasta, salad and even on cooked white fish. Also, I really like the bottled packaging too. 
The Oak-Smoked Garlic Butter is excellent used in frying and for making garlic bread. The BBQ sauce is a little different then normal BBQ sauce, it tastes better and more rustic.  

I'm sure that I'll be posting recipes featuring these products very soon. 

Happy Baking! (This was not a sponsored post.) 

Latest Videos are Up!

Did you know that Cupcakes, Cake & Passion is on Youtube now? There are a few videos up there now. But to check out the latest happenings, subscribe! The latest video is something I don't do very often. In fact, its a practice for future videos as I will be focusing mainly on food stuff. But constructive criticism and positive feedback is appreciated, so let me know in the comments on the blog or on the Youtube comments. 

Happy Baking and Happy Friday!

Penny Reviews:Victory Tearoom

 "Something big, that I can buy stuff from... but I can't buy it?... and its yellow?" 

That was the riddle that my mum presented to me. In the car, on the way to The House of Chilli at Holliers Farm on the Isle of Wight. It was a surprise trip and it really sparked my interest on what was awaiting us. Apart from chilli.

As we exited the car, it was apparent that there was a huge yellow bus facing us. It took me by surprise but the beautifully decorated outside seating area nextdoor to the bus. The sign read 'Victory Tearoom' on the back of the double decker. Honestly, pictures (and videos) say more than words. The bunting and colourful pinwheels were a delightful addition. 

I'm not easily impressed, but this tearoom was impressive. And the big double decker is just that, a tearoom! The whole theme just screamed vintage. Bunting, decorative tea-cosies, pretty teacups and saucers were adorned all over. Very sweet and very cute. 

After taking in all the scenery, we ordered some light lunch. I got a brie, bacon and cranberry panini, with a fresh salad garnish. It was just as I expected, tasting great and fresh. I didn't fancy a cake at the time, although I wish I did on hindsight!

Marilyn and Shirley, the stunningly vintage dressed women who came up with the concept were happy to pose for a quick photo! The attention to detail in all aspects of the tearoom has been thought off, including staff uniform.  

The Victory Tearoom, is a very unique place to visit. I would highly recommend a visit to this tearoom if you like the vintage look and some beautifully prepared food. Its non fussy menu and great service should leave you feeling that vintage vibe throughout the rest of your visit. 

Check out Victory Tearoom on Tripadvisor and Facebook. Tell them I said hey!
Happy Baking!

(BTW this was not a paid/sponsored post.)

News and a New Video!

It's been a long time since I've posted anything on the blog. I've been busy working on something big.... I've started a new business with my friend! Its a cake business that specialises in different pastries and sweets. Its named The Pastry Girls. We're still working the website and the logo but will keep you posted as we go. But for more up to date news on events etc, you can check our facebook, twitter, Youtube or instagram. 

In other news, I have uploaded a new video to Cupcakes, Cake and Passion Youtube channel. Its video of me building my large sakura tree project I needed to go for college. It took ages to build, but the video is less than 4 minutes long. So give it a watch if you fancy it.

Happy Baking!