Enjoy fun in the sun this June!
The sun is shining across the Kingdom and celebrations are once again in full swing as we thank the wonderful Fathers, Grandfathers and Fatherly figures in our families!
Princess Odette will feel many emotions, as she usually does on this special day, but she will smile as she recalls happy memories with her own Father.
Princess Alise will be baking a cake for Father's Day and Lord Rogers has a great activity planned for everyone. Keep reading to find out what it is!
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This month we are celebrating the birthday of the delightfully quirky hag Bridget! This makes her zodiac sign Gemini and her birthstone a light amethyst.
The Gemini sign is also known as "the twins"; Geminis are famous for having many different sides to their personality that are often very different from each other. This makes them social chameleons able to make friends in all kinds of social groups.
Gemini's love variety. They are a youthful and energetic sign. This youthful energy can make them seem immature but they truly just have a love of life.
The flexible Gemini is very smart and clever, but because they have so many interests they are easily distracted. Their cleverness can sometimes cause them to be ruthless in their decisions as they can easily analyze and justify difficult choices.
Not only are they curious but they love to talk about anything and everything they have learned. They love to gossip to everyone about everything.
Gemini people tend to be very indecisive and very impulsive. They jump into everything 100%.
We think this sounds just like Bridget!
The light amethyst stone symbolizes purity of spirit and is believed to help heal wounds. I'm sure this helped Bridget on her journey from the Hag working for Rothbart to Bridget helping her friends at Swan Lake!
Is your birthday in June or do you just like the color lavender?
Purchase your own birthstone locket here!
Ultimate Chocolate Cake
This is another recipe that Alise loves to make! Chocolate is a favorite treat for many people in the castle, including Princess Odette and Prince Derek! Alise is making this cake as part of her present for Derek - enjoy making this cake for your Dad or Grandad this Father's Day too!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
1.75 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1.75 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp espresso powder
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup freshly brewed strong hot coffee (you can use regular or decaf)
For the Buttercream:
1.25 cups unsalted butter, softened
3.5 cups confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3–5 tbsp heavy cream (or milk), room temperature
1/4 tsp salt 1
tsp pure vanilla extract
optional for decoration: semi-sweet chocolate chips
Method:1
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C.
2. Grease two 9-inch cake tins and line them with parchment paper. Then grease the parchment paper again.
3. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, sugar, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder together in a large bowl before setting the mixture aside.
4. Using a handheld whisk (or you can use a normal whisk), mix the oil, eggs, and vanilla together on medium-high speed until combined.
5. Add the buttermilk to the egg mixture and mix until combined.
6. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
7. Add the coffee, and whisk/beat on a low speed until well combined (the batter will be quite thin).
8. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
9. Bake for approximately 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Place the cake tins on a wire rack and allow the cakes to cool completely before removing them from the tins.
11. For the buttercream, beat the butter on a medium speed until creamy (approx. two minutes).
12. Add the cocoa powder, confectioners’ sugar, 3 tablespoons of heavy cream (or milk), salt, and vanilla extract.
13. Beat on a low speed for 30 seconds before increasing to a high speed and beat for 1 full minute - make sure that you do not over-whip.
TOP TIP:
Is your frosting too thin?
Add a further 1/4 cup of confectioners’ sugar or cocoa powder
Is your frosting too thick?
Add 1-2 more tablespoons of cream.
15. If the cooled cakes are domed on top, use a serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops to make the surface flat - you can crumble these extra pieces over the top of your cake if you want to!
16. Place 1 cake on a stand or plate then evenly cover the top with your buttercream.
17. Carefully place the 2nd layer on the top and spread the remaining frosting all over the top and sides of the entire cake. The cake leftovers can be covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
