For those of you who watched the second series of Great British Bake Off will be familiar with finalist Holly Bell. I was a fan of hers from the first episode because she’s local to me, has a similar obsession with Bakewells and (according to insistent family & friends) we are very similar look wise and mannerisms. Yes, I’ve also been known to get the tape measure out while baking, don’t judge me. I’m a perfectionist.
Holly has recently started cupcake and bread making courses at the lovely Bridge 67 Cookery School in Smeeton Westerby near Market Harborough. She invited me along to try the course. The cookery school is based in cute little house on the farm with the kitchen downstairs and the dining room upstairs. It almost felt like we were in someone’s house. I liked that the ovens were (rather nice) domestic ovens proving if you could cook it there we would be able to cook it at home.
The theme of the cupcake courses is Creatures & Flowers. I like that it wasn’t just cutesy, pretty cupcakes. We learnt about the best way to make cupcakes, how to work with fondant and buttercream along with some secrets from Great British Bake Off. Although I have experience of making and decorating cakes I still felt I learnt lots from the day including the all in one method for cakes and how to make mousse like buttercream. At the same time I think the course would also be suitable for beginners. If you’re wondering why one of my fondant snails is wearing a pair of glasses it’s meant to be Hubs, but it looks more like a character from Despicable Me.
I think it’s fair to say I won the award for messiest student of the day. Cake mix, I got it everywhere. Up the wall, on the floor, splattered across the cooker and up the cord of the hand mixer. I loved the tranquil location and the relaxed nature of the day. There was me, 3 other students, Holly and her helper Rosie. Some of the conversations we had were hilarious, I think Holly regrets asking me a question about one of my previous jobs but what is said on the course stays on the course!
A big thanks to Holly for inviting me along, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Listen out for Holly on BBC Radio Leicester for a week beginning 19th December between 3-5 for her new festive show.
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Holly B @ Recipes from a Normal Mum
December 6, 2011 at 8:58 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Jules, what a lovely post and yes – I will not be asking so many questions next time! Erghhhhhh! xxx
Kathryn
December 6, 2011 at 9:17 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Your cupcakes make me hungry, hungry and jealous!
Dawn Irvine
December 6, 2011 at 12:39 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Jules, the cakes look fab and I think this is a lovely inviting piece of writing. Makes me want to book on the course myself! Well done you x
whatkatebaked
December 6, 2011 at 11:41 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
That sounds such a brilliant day- I really enjoyed watching Holly on GBBO ans its great she’s set up her own cookery school to impart all her knowledge! And I’m super-impressed with your fantastic cupcakes!
mykitchenstories
December 9, 2011 at 1:01 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Yiour cakes are fentastic. Sounds like a great oportunity. I wish I could go toone of her classes but its a bit far away ( Im in Sydney). Thanks for the post anyway ansd Hubs looks cute!
bakecakecrumbs
December 16, 2011 at 9:05 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
They look fabulous and it sounds like a great day – lots of fun. If only I lived nearer. I’d love to learn how to make cute little decorations like that!
The Baked Bean Tin Christmas Cake Project « Butcher, Baker
December 8, 2011 at 6:08 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
[...] Butcher, Baker cakes, bakes and geekiness HomeAboutAs Seen On…Recipe index Twitter Facebook RSS Feed ← Creatures & Flowers Cupcake Class with Holly Bell [...]
Reuby, Reuby, Reuby, Reuben » Butcher, Baker
March 5, 2012 at 9:26 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
[...] recipe I used for these cakes is one I was given on Holly’s cupcake course and is more or less based on this recipe, but with a bit of ground almonds in the sponge. [...]
The Baked Bean Tin Christmas Cake Project – pt 3 » Butcher, Baker
October 19, 2012 at 6:43 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
[...] « Creatures & Flowers Cupcake Class with Holly Bell [...]
Brilliant Baking with Brendan at Seasoned » Butcher, Baker
October 31, 2012 at 11:13 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
[...] and Brendan let us in to a few secrets about Paul, Mary and the whole GBBO process, but just like Holly Bell’s course last year, what’s said on the course stays on the course. After lunch we finished the Chelsea [...]