I am delighted to have been a contributor to an inspirational wedding editorial, A Rose of  Different Colour, which was featured in the January edition of Ireland's premier glossy magazine, Image. Victorian splendour meets modern eccentricity was the theme, with concept and styling by the talented Kate O'Dowd of Love and Gatherings

I am always a little indecisive about what to make for a Christmas dessert, but generally come to the conclusion that a centrepiece cake can never go amiss!  I have hence been experimenting with some traditional seasonal flavours and am delighted with this resulting Chocolate Chestnut and Cranberry layer cake recipe. 

I only recently discovered scented rose geranium as a baking ingredient, having bought some at our local farmer's market. While not the pretties of leaves, it releases a wonderfully delicate rose scented flavour simply by rubbing  to release the oils. It can be used in sweet dishes in a variety of ways, for example by infusing sugar to use in baking and desserts in place of normal sugar, or in scented syrups or jams. It pairs well with citrus flavours, fruits and spices.  I choose to use my geranium in a jam with plums, which happened to be in season at the time of late Autumn. It is quite possibly the best jam I have ever made!

Award-winning stylist, wedding and event planner Kate O'Dowd of Love & Gatherings approached me last summer to contribute to a wedding editorial for Image magazine to be shot at Gloster House, a beautifully restored 17th century mansion that is a lived-in family home as well as a magically elegant wedding venue. The results were truly inspirational!

Bundt cakes are so easy to make, require little decoration and serve a crowd...hence I always love making a bundt cake for weekend treats or family celebrations!

Loaf cakes are a weekend favourite, partly because they are so quick and easy to make. Without the need for layering and filling, a quick glaze or icing and some edible decorations results in something delicious and pretty with minimal effort.

It has been almost 6 years since I launched Cove Cake Design, named after the beautiful seaside suburb of Sandycove which myself and my family call home. Both the logo and website in their classical design have stood the test of time, but as my style and business have evolved, I decided it was both timely and exciting to have a brand refresh to more aptly convey the ethos of Cove Cake Design and my cakes.

Most of my work is well planned in advance, weddings are booked up to 18 months before the date and classes are always scheduled several months ahead. Sometimes though something exciting and creative gets thrown your way at short notice and no matter how busy you are you have to fit it in! Such an opportunity happened for me last month when O'Reillys Auctioneers of fine jewellery asked me to collaborate on their March catalogue cover. 

I do love a loaf cake...easy to make and requiring little decoration, they are a perfect weekend teatime treat. I devised this recipe for a feature in the November 2018 edition of Irish Country Magazine and hence had the pleasure of having talented photographer Ramona Farrelly follow me in its making in my kitchen...thank you for these lovely photos Ramon!