Looking back at 2020...

So, with 2020 coming to an end I wanted this blog to look back at my bakes this year. There has been a lot of opportunity to bake this year and I’ve baked some of my favourite cakes yet. It’s safe to say this year hasn’t been the best. Looking back to the start of the year seems like ages ago now. Baking has been one of the main things that’s kept me happy, it’s always been a great distraction. I remember my New Year cake last year I was scared to even leave the sides plain. I’m always so critical of my own bakes but even I will admit I can see a massive improvement over this last year with my bakes. The amount of birthday cakes and cupcakes I’ve done is crazy. Fondant cupcake toppers used to be my enemy but now I actually look forward to these challenges and find it oddly therapeutic.

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To celebrate this new year I was only going to make one cake. Celebrate seems like the wrong word to use but it is a new year. After all the baking I did at Christmas I was going to make life easy for myself. Then I had a new idea I wanted to try and I just couldn’t get it out my head. The first cake I made was a simple Biscoff square cake and then patterned buttercream on top. I used some beautiful sprinkles and a 2021 topper to keep it really simple. After all the baking I’ve done this year I wanted to end it on a high. The second cake was a rhubarb and custard cake. I cut out a hole for my mini bottle of fizz to sit in. Black, gold and silver seemed like such a classy New Year cake colour. I was originally going to put the 2021 in sprinkles but wasn’t sure whether it would have the effect I was going for so recycled the topper from the square cake. I absolutely loved how this cake worked and just had to add some sparklers and a cake fountain. We might not be able to celebrate new year how we normally would but I wanted to bring a little party on the cake. I’m ending this year taking so many new cake techniques and baking time away which I’m actually grateful for.

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Whilst looking back at some of the cakes this year. I’ve ticked off cakes that I’ve been wanting to try for ages. My confidence has grown and my attitude is believing in myself to actually be able to pull off weird and wonderful ideas. I would never have thought I would have made sloth, llama and avocado themed cupcakes but I did. I never would have thought I would make the cutest monster cake possible but I did. I would never have dreamed of making cakes for engagements or milestone birthdays but I did. I’ve made so many new recipes half the time just from winging it. I made my birthday cake for the first time and made all my family’s birthday cakes. My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and I put photos in frames on that cake. My mam just celebrated her 50th birthday and I tried a marble technique that actually worked. I took this morning to make some highlights of my baking from each month and I’m so proud of what I’ve made this year. I’ve worked so hard and loved all my bakes this year. I’ve gained over 5000 followers on Instagram this year which I think is crazy. I’m actually so excited to see what cakes I end up making next year and what else I learn. I don’t think anybody knows what 2021 will have in store but I only hope it’s better than this year. I can’t even pick a favourite cake from this year some times I’ve just baked for the sake of it because there wasn’t anything else to do.

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As I mentioned above it was my mams birthday on the 29th. Of course I had to make her a cake as it was a very special birthday. I made a 6inch vanilla and strawberry champagne jam cake. I added a marble buttercream collar and some silver leaf. She loves vodka so it seemed appropriate to add a few miniatures. I loved this cake and so did she. I think I can actually look at my bakes this year and say something I love about each one of them. Instagram has been my main way to post my bakes this year and these are my top nine most liked photos of the year. I can’t believe some of the ones that made the list but I still love them. I wanted to end this year’s blog with a little reflection. I’ve easily baked over 100 times this year and broke an oven in the process. I’ve already got a list of bakes I want to bake next year as a little wish list and some goals I want to reach. I think it’s easy to look at 2020 and think not much has been achieved but when you think about it, there’s always something everyone should be proud of. Let’s say goodbye to 2020 and wish for a better 2021, I know my house will be celebrating with cake tonight. Happy New Year!

Lots of love,

Hannah xx