Review- Rendles Cherry & Almond Cake

There is a less known wonder of the world that is so secret and elusive, I'm pretty sure only myself, The Bananah, Mrs 1T and Nibs are aware of it.. The Rendles Bakewell Flapjack! It's as amazing as it sounds but none of us have managed to locate it other then when on my trips to Suffolk, where the company is based. Old Mrs 1T however has found the brand in one of her local Garden Centres but instead of something oaty.. This time we've got something cakey!

A tantalising loaf cake pack full of sweet glacè cherries. 

Behold! The Cherry & Almond Cake! I squealed when discovering this delight in my magnificent Birthday box from the babe that is Mrs 1T. You can't beat anything Cherry and you certainly can't beat anything almond - It's a fact. 

The 280g loaf was in a traditional liner with a sneaky cherry peaking through the top which definitely reassured me it was legit.. Ignoring the 11 E numbers in the ingredients list, of course.

As promised, the cherries were certainly packed with both big and small chunks running throughout the pink tinged cake which ensured there was plenty in every mouthful. The texture was very much a dense Madeira sponge rather than anything light and fluffy. Bizarrely, thumb imprints were left where I had given it a squish - A bit like a undercooked bread really although of course, this wasn't! Although moist, the slice definitely required a drink to get it down as it was quite stodgy.. But given the sweet, buttery taste and the almond element being spot on, it was hardly a chore to have a cuppa! The similarity to its Flapjack brother was uncanny in being just right side of artificial, packed with Bakewell flavour.. And very much addictive! Yum! 

All in all, I enjoyed this Rendles Cherry & Almond Cake thoroughly despite its slightly odd texture - It didn't deter me and MSW eating it in 1 sitting so it couldn't have been that bad! If you like Bakewell, almond or just cherries for that matter, then I highly recommend you seek one out.. I know I'll be doing just that - Well, thats if I survive having consumed almost a dozen E numbers.. Hmm. A 3.5 out of 5 from me - Thanks Kirks! 

*NibsnScribs AKA Peanut is to thank for this review - She's brilliant. 

Review- Costa Coffee Bakewell Tart

Yesterday, MSW and I went on a little lunchtime date to Costa. We use to do this a lot but haven't treated ourselves to such a thing since purchasing the almighty Nespresso machine back in December - Although we do miss the trips out, we can't complain from a financial point of view.. The Coffee shop doesn't call themselves, COST-a for nothing after all - I could quite easily spend £20+ in there a week! 

All butter pastry, filled with Morello Cherry jam and topped with almond and fondant. 

Ignoring everything I said above, after the purchase of 2 Cappuccinos and 2 Sausage & Onion Toasties, we just couldn't refuse a Bakewell Tart each. Now, I've checked with the Mumsy as she was the one to go up to order (As well as the one to lose the receipt) and she reckons these were priced at £2.20 to eat in and £1.80 to go.. Whether there is any truth in those figures is anyones guess. 

The Tart really was as cute as a button - It almost seemed a shame to ruin its satisfyingly perfect, circular appearance and bright red cherry centre. Cutting it with a knife, it took some effort to break through the crisp pastry shell hence why it isn't all that straight and the cherry has gone for a bit of a pearler.. No matter though, on to the tasting! The extremely crunchy outer with its short texture was buttery as should be and a substantial casing to the softer frangipane like filling within. A real fruity kick came from the more than generous layer of jam which although I wouldn't have identified as being cherry, it was still blooming tasty and naturally, went well with the almond flavour. The finishing and my personal favourite part was the thick topping of a set yet still soft, super sweet icing which we all know is key to any Bakewell Tart and in this case was superb. Not to forget the cherry on top.. Well, it was the cherry on top! 

Overall, this Costa Bakewell Tart is delicious and so much better than I imagined - It's really all down to MSW as she was the one to champion the thing and practically force it down me. I highly recommend you pick yourself up one the next time you go in for your Coffee fix.. I won't tell anyone if you don't. It's a 4 out of 5 from me! 

Snackmas Day 15- Betty Bakes Christmas Bonanza!

Betty Bakes has put on her Christmas chefs hat and come up with some delightful Festive Cakes - All of which are Gluten Free of course! We can't have anyone with intolerances missing out and although I don't suffer myself, I was very kindly sent the range to give a whirl especially for Snackmas!

T-B Orange & Ginger Tiffin, All-Butter Shortbread, Christmas Meringue, Cinnamon Shortbread, Midnight Mint, Crimbo Crumble, Christmas Pudding and Christmas Snowball 

Now, if I had been smart I would've weighed each bar prior to scoffing so am going to have to assume that each was around 70g with the Pudding and Snowball obviously being a lot lighter given their puffed rice composition - If anyone is even interested in said numerical happenings!

Orange & Ginger Tiffin 

Nothing is more Christmassy than Clementines and all things Orange which makes this bar a pretty spiffing place to start! It smelt super citrus and real rather than artificial extract - I personally feel the stuff should be banned as its good to no one so am pleased to see peel was used here! I took a bite through the crunchy biscuit set within dark chocolate and was greeted with the most amazing taste combo of cocoa and strong Orange with undertones of what tasted like a Gingernut with its signature mild heat in the background. Each flavour was significant on its own as well as pairing perfectly with one another producing something which I would say was near perfection! A 4.5 out of 5 from me.

All-Butter Shortbread

Another Christmas classic - Shortbread. It smelt and tasted as its name suggested.. Buttery! Texture wise, things were far softer than I envisaged. The bite to the bar wasn't crisp nor did it crumble which produced a almost chewy feel that I would liken to a very dense brownie rather than a biscuit.. Although it was still very pleasant! The sprinkle of sugar on top was a lovely finishing sweetness to what was well done but essentially, quite a plain treat. A 3.5 out of 5 from me.

Christmas Meringue

Given that it was so packed with almonds and meringue pieces, this bar was a bit of a nightmare to cut and it did disintegrate in places - I did try my best to patch the bits back together for the good of a decent picture but it wasn't easy, believe you me! Popping some of this crumble into my mouth, I was surprised to discover it was full on dark chocolate and strong Bakewell which was a flavour sensation! The light, airy and dissolving meringue pieces added a sweetness as well as contrasting in texture to the abundance of crunchy almonds and squidgy sultanas, making for a spectacular mishmash of a mouthful. Another 4.5 out of 5! 

Cinnamon Shortbread

Why have normal All-Butter Shortbread when you can add some festive warmth to your life in the form of cinnamon?! I see no reason to be plain and this was not the sole difference either.. The texture was far firmer with a crispness to the outside before the familiar melting interior that wasn't "cakey" and transitioning from buttery to the spicy kick of cinnamon with the sweet sprinkling of grainy sugar - Yum! A 4 out of 5!

Midnight Mint

After Eight in bar form? Surely not? I am happy to announce, oh yes! A soft base of what I assume was chocolate shortbread was the first layer of cocoa goodness before hitting a sugary sweet mint fondant that was most certainly potent and uncanny to its confectionary friend! The dark chocolate was the ideal pairing to mellow the mint slightly but I would say this is one to have with a strong coffee otherwise things might get a bit to much given the richness! Its 3.5 out of 5 from me.

Crimbo Crumble

Well would you look at that.. It's Mince Pie but in a bar - It wouldn't be Christmas without such a thing! The scent was uncanny to your jarred mincemeat which I could smell all day.. As well as eat of course! The base and crumble topping was fairly soft but did not crack as some of the other offerings had. It has a melt in the mouth feel once beyond the initial chewiness, with crunchy almonds for a harder feel and nutty edge. The same buttery taste of the Shortbread was apparent but boosted by a thick medley of tangy citrus, brandy and dried fruit which certainly tickled the tastebuds! A 4 out of 5.

Christmas Pudding & Christmas Snowball

Last but by no means least were the Christmas Balls.. Check out that clean cut of the knife - Impressive, right?! I have to admit.. These were the ones I was most looking forward to since Rice Krispie cakes were pretty much my life as child.. And I suspect they were yours too! These bad boys were densely packed with puffed rice to ensure for a firm, satisfyingly crunchy mouthful. The toffee used to hold the lot together was super sticky and sweet with the white chocolate of the Snowball adding further sweetness and tones of tropical coconut - Always a good pairing! I wasn't such a fan of the Christmas Pudding as the plain chocolate itself just didn't meet my expectations in terms of quality but overall did have a slight salty kick which went a long way given all the sweet elements. A 4 and a 3 respectively. 

Well, that was well worth the potential diabetic future I face upon crashing from the sugar rush that's currently having me, Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree! This Christmas Collection from Betty Bakes is marvellous! Did anyone notice how I failed to mention the lack of gluten throughout the post? There is little need as you really wouldn't know they didn't contain 'normal' ingredients. They are baubles above any Free From equivalent you might find in the supermarkets and can/should be enjoyed by everyone, no matter the circumstances. Thanks Betty for spoiling me and more importantly, those who need you the most - You little cracker!

Review- Nestle NEW Cherry Bakewell Shredded Wheat

Nothing beats going to a supermarket on a Bank Holiday and finding it to be fairly quiet.. This was my lucky fate yesterday when doing the weekly shop at Tesco where I found these NEW Cherry Bakewell Shredded Wheat! I haven't heard anything about them nor see them advertised so was feeling pretty jammy - I love almondy Bakewell anything, after all! 

The 360g bag was priced at £2.49  - No introductory offer sadly! 

Whole grain wheat with real Cherry filling coated with crunchy crumble topping 

I opened the bag to see lots and lots of 10p sized pieces of cereal which smelt essentially the same as the regular large sized rectangles, of not an awful lot! I popped one in my mouth and off I went. Crunchy with the signature Shredded Wheat taste but with the flavour sensation of Cherry Bakewell hidden inside, ready to be revealed when munched - The almond flavour was spot on! As noted to MSW "Well this is the best thing of life" before giving her one to then also see her eyes light up in delight - An amazing cereal all around, we thought.. Things then turned sour. 

Sprightly Snack Warrior is No More

Can anyone spot a certain allergen amongst that list of ingredients which can often prove fatal to a lot of people? No? This wouldn't surprise me considering the "MAY CONTAIN HAZELNUTS" writing is larger than the ACTUAL nut it does contain! PEANUTS, Folks, PEANUTS! 

Now, regular readers will be more than aware that I am allergic to Peanuts to the point, as my darling BSW would put it, I would literally explode if I ate them. The fact that this NEW Cherry Bakewell Shredded Wheat contains Peanuts and it is not made crystal clear, is absolutely abysmal. I spent my Bank Holiday in bed, recovering from a nasty reaction which can only be summarised as having a very tight and itchy throat and mouth with a horrendous tummy ache and feeling as though I was on fire.. And that was after only eating 1! I would hate to think what would have happened if I had, had a bowlful.. I don't expect anyone wants to spend their Bank Holiday in A&E, do you? Exploding is anything but lucky fate. 

Overall.. Obviously, my experience with these NEW Cherry Bakewell Shredded Wheat was a train wreck. The cereal itself is delicious and will most likely be extremely popular but the fact that Peanuts are present and it is not as clear as day to see IN WORDS, ON THE FRONT of the packet, is not only stupid and irresponsible but also ridiculously careless. I have contacted Nestle Cereal to inform them that this is not on and as expected, they don't seem to give much of a Monkeys. I just hope it doesn't take anyone, heaven forbid a child, to be REALLY poorly for them to stand up and listen.

There is also a Apple Crumble version which I suspect also contain Peanuts, for any of those who are interested and are fine and dandy with such things - As for me, I think I have been put off cereal for life. Its a -5 out of 5 today - Onwards and upwards, aye! 

Review- Twinings NEW Cherry Bakewell Green Tea

I love Tea. I love Cherry Bakewell. The two combined was only ever a dream until I spotted this New Twinings Cherry Bakewell Green Tea in Tesco for £2.49. 

Inspired by the English favourite Cherry Bakewell - Theres something sweet and comforting about this green tea. The almondy cherry taste is delicately softened with smooth vanilla flavour to creat a delicious indulgent green tea blend.

The very pretty box contained 20 Envelopes - How cute are the cherry and Bakewell illustrations?! 

I followed the brewing instructions on the back which recommended placing the tea bag in freshly boiled water for a maximum of 2 minutes to ensure the delicate flavour is not lost. 

Oh my, this smelt amazing - It was like a delicious concoction of Bakewell Tart and Rice Pudding, believe it or not! Taste wise, it had a lovely almondy flavour with cherry undertones which were perfectly balanced with the recognisable taste of green tea. My only complaint is that the vanilla flavour didn't particularly come through, although with everything else going on, it didn't really go amiss. The tea left a pleasant, lingering, almond taste which made me feel like I was actually having a dessert rather than a drink - Minus all the calories, of course! 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this flavoured tea offering from Twinings. There is also a NEW Fudge Melts Green Tea that I am keen to try next - Even I, the self confessed coffee addict, needs to switch it up sometimes! Its a 3.5 out of 5 from me.