Prepare yourself for a shock. This is a no-recipe post (oh no!) but here’s a photo of a delicious British classic: the Coffee and Walnut Sponge. I love it and so does most of my family, especially my sister-in-law, who will invariably put in a request for this cake when I visit them in Birmingham. Happy to oblige (and eat).
But why just a photo? Where’s the recipe, you ask? Very sorry, will post it soon. Special circumstances I’m afraid. No, I’m not on a top secret mission for the government, I’m on a blogging course (hello fellow 101 bloggers!) and my first assignment is an intro. So here goes:
Lili’s cakes is about sharing a passion for making, eating and looking at cakes. I hope to include recipes, tips, cake stories, reviews and some pretty photos to make your mouth water. Even if you don’t plan to make cakes you might enjoy this blog! 🙂
I’m British, though I’ve lived all over the world, currently in Barcelona. I love French patisserie (and my French mum) but I also enjoy discovering and trying cakes from all around the world. And mixing it up to develop some fusion cakes, which is why I like the idea of ‘World Patisserie’ or ‘cakes sans frontières´.
I wouldn’t consider myself a ‘professional baker’ but I’m trying to create professional-looking, classic or interesting stuff. Not with all the sculpted fondant icing, but with different textures and layers. I’ve done the basic course with the Cordon Bleu in Paris and spent many years making and eating cakes (it’s a dirty job but someone has to do it) but there’s still so much to learn and perfect. I share my cakes and some are loved more than others – who hasn’t had a baking disaster? Reaching out with a blog beyond a circle of family and friends is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Posting recipes opens you up to more objective criticism, which is good. Patisserie is about passion and the constant desire to explore and improve on your creations.
So I could call this blog Lili’s Cake Adventures. It’s an adventure not only into the world of cakes, but also into blogging, food photography and healthy living, three things I started working on in December 2014. Food doesn’t usually move, but it’s hard to photograph well! As for healthy living, well you might need a sugar-free cake now and then.
![InstagramCapture_3efa78c8-f7f8-4620-9b14-4fcdfaff2584_jpg[1]](https://liliscakes.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/instagramcapture_3efa78c8-f7f8-4620-9b14-4fcdfaff2584_jpg1.jpg)
Your body will thank you and feel better but then you’ll be dying for some really rich and decadent cake, so why not enjoy an occasional slice of heaven?
Yes, I’m trying to balance this blog like my cakes, alternating healthy and naughty stuff. And slowly joining an online community, to share recipes and experiences.
So welcome to this space! Let me know what your favourite cake in the world is. Is there a special cake from your country that I should try?
lili's cakes 
my favorite cake….mmhmm….all!!
Depends on the moment and mood.
Congrats for the blog!!!
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Hi Lluis! ‘all cakes’ is a great answer!!! :). Me too, though I do like lemon and lime cakes a lot… Thanks!!
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Hi! I gave a quick look at your blog and omg! Your cakes look really good and tasty! Congrats 🙂
And I have an Idea for your tagline: Cakes that make you happy or The adventures of Lili in the world of Patisserie
Please check out my blog too, it’s not about cakes but I hope you like http://savethebestofyou.wordpress.com/
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Thanks Camila! Glad you enjoyed looking at the cakes! And thanks for the tagline idea… I like it. Got to sleep on it a bit before I make any change. I like your blog’s title and tagline by the way, and ideas – nice. 🙂
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Hi Lili,
Be still my beating heart! Your cakes are drool-inducing! I love trying out new recipes and here I’m spoilt for choice. Happy blogging, I am so looking forward to learning from you.
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Hi Gen! Thanks for the lovely comment and hope you’ll be happy making stuff from recipes I post (I’m working on getting more up but let me know if you’re interested in any specific recipes!). Really looking forward to following your blog too and trying out your lovely recipes, as well as enjoying all your fun play on words. Happy blogging to you too! 🙂
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The cake pictured at the bottom. What is it? I think that might become my new favorite cask! 🙂 I tried to take a quick taste, the screen on my laptop is unyielding. I think ‘Let them eat cake,” is one of my favorite quotes. It’s my most favorite food in the world, but sadly I can’t really partake. I save up my cake days for my birthday. Of course, if I had to say what my favorite is, lemon cake with filling in the middle, and confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar?) on top. *swoon* but I also love pies, and donuts.
I hope to find some recipes among yours which are the ones you mentioned were made without sugar!
Welcome to and congrats on your new adverture in blogging! 🙂
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That was supposed to say (up there) my new favorite CAKE… 🙂
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Hi Fimnora! Thanks so much for your kind comments and welcome. I’m really enjoying blogging with everyone on Blogging101 and quite overwhelmed by the support and positive vibe.
Yes, your favourite cake – not cask 🙂 – is a Blackforest gateau! And you’re inspiring me to research or develop a sugar-free one, because a lot of people love this cake, including my sister-in-law! I will be making and posting more sugar-free stuff (for my serious climbing friends too, who watch their calorie intake like eagles), not to mention for we people with high cholesterol. Would you be able to eat honey or maple syrup? Have you tried Xylitol? (it’s a sugar substitute like Stevia but without the bitter aftertaste and really similar to sugar). This week I’m hoping to test run the sugar-free chocolate and raspberry mousse cake. I love lemon cakes too… mmm..and pies…
And I like the quote ‘Let them eat cake!’ too. Poor Marie Antoinette. Apparently it’s ‘Qu’ils mangent de la brioche’ in French, but ‘brioche’ is traditionally translated as cake. Which I also find fascinating for some reason!
I enjoyed reading about your town. Looking forward to reading more! Thanks again for the welcome and Happy Blogging! 🙂
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Greetings again, Lili… Blackforest gateau sounds luxurious! I do have pure maple syrup, every morning in my oatmeal, along with cinnamon. It is permitted in my diet, which makes me happy! I have to be tested by an allergist for honey. But I have tried stevia, because I would otherwise put sugar in my tea or coffee, which isn’t good. I don’t notice, in the coffee or tea an after taste, so that’s good. I haven’t heard of Xylitol but I’ll look for it when I go to the market next.
The odd thing is that I love watching cooking shows, and it seems to satisfy my craving. I’m a big fan of the original Iron Chef. Of course, such movies as Julie and Julia, are high up there on my list of favorites. 🙂
I like the sound (how my head translates the word, anyway) of brioche. Now I’m hungry. Just in time to make dinner.
I’m glad you liked reading about my town. 🙂 I’m having a really fun time writing. It’s been quite a long time since I’ve written. It’s good to be back!
I can’t wait to see your recipes.
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Greetings to you Fimnora, good news about the maple syrup (yum!) and I’m right there with you about cooking shows but haven’t seen Iron Chef or Julia and Julia! Will look into those. Going to work on posting a recipe now…sorry there’s sugar in it (though the lime bit is very healthy).
Glad you’re enjoying the writing and I’m looking forward to your stories too!
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Coffee walnut, eh? My Grandmother used to make that half a century ago! Wonderful!
Dookes
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Yeah, I love that Coffee and Walnut cake! Nice to know of someone’s grandmother who used to make it 🙂 Hoping to post the recipe for it one day – let me know if you remember any good tips from your grandmother! Lili
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Hi Fimnora, Thank you and yes, almost my bedtime. Glad you’re having fun with the questions! I’ll try to watch Iron chef online… and Julie and Julia. Been working on a recipe for tomorrow but after that I’ll start my Healthy Cake week! 🙂 Have a great evening too! (your time..)
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