Gloverly Cupcakes

So this is a slight change to the normal ‘Technical Challenge’ which we do each week, and that’s because the last technical challenge was a bit odd. I don’t mind trying something new but I didn’t want to have to buy random spices and moulds which I probably wouldn’t use again, just for the sake of a challenge. The other option was improvise, but given it was spice week, not having the right spices seemed to defeat the purpose. I also didn’t really agree with the challenge – I couldn’t work out what techniques it was testing. So… I decided to do a different challenge! Running short of time meant I opted for the signature bake rather than a showstopper (but Becky and I are both in agreement that making a gingerbread chandelier would be amazing!)
I wasn’t sure what to make since I needed something super quick to make after work. I found this recipe on BBC Good Food and it sounded amazing – a malt loaf with dates and ginger! I should have read the comments first though which said it had too much bicarb in since the cake rose really quickly and then sank – I reckon halving the bicarb would have helped. Either way it was fairly quick to mix everything together and then just leave to bake for just over an hour. It smelt amazing as it was baking and tastes really good (although, it’s meant to improve after a couple of days – if it lasts that long!). If I was to make it again I’d probably halve the ground ginger and double the malted milk powder to make it more malt loaf like.

Here’s hoping the technical challenge this week is better!