This week I have been quizzing experienced and practised baker Samantha Russell to collect her top tips for cake crafting and best baking ideas. Samantha has years of experience baking spectacular celebration and wedding cakes (including my own!). She also has a particular expertise in making food appealing to children from her wealth of experience as a professional Nanny.

What are the three pieces of low-cost kitchen equipment you value the most?

Hmm, well I have a really old small pairing knife by Opinel. I have no idea where it came from, the wooden handle is really worn. But it’s the only knife I really use. It fits my hand nicely and I use it for everything. It made short work of a huge bowl of cooking apples the other day. 

Something else I use a lot is a crinkle cut knife! It makes veg more fun for the kids. It’s also great if you’re weaning a baby, it gives them more grip when they are holding their food. 

Another inexpensive tool, that is great to have are cookie cutters. We have lots in all manner of fun shapes. Not just good for biscuits, but sandwiches and toast too. Who doesn’t love a star shaped cheese sandwich!

Which of your cakes are you most proud of?

This is a tricky one. It is more the reaction from the person the cake is for that I love. 

A couple that stand out, my first child’s christening cake. It was a small affair, he was born towards the end of the year. We ending up having his christening the weekend after New Year’s Day. As you can imagine it’s a busy time of year and with a small baby, not much time to make a cake. I was really pleased with how it turned out. 

Another is your very own wedding cake! I wanted it to be really special. You were a very relaxed bride and with only a few sketches and colour options, I was left to my own devices. I looked at the brief and drew up something I thought would work. There were a lot of roses to make but I really enjoyed doing it. The other minor issue, was getting the cake in one piece from our house in Hertfordshire at the time, to Norfolk, 120 miles. I think I only lost it once, when we got completely lost. I seem to remember it was a hot day and I was panicking the cake would melt! It was all ok in the end. It was such a magical day. So that is definitely a cake I will remember.

What is the most unusual twist on a traditional cake recipe you have used?

Beetroot brownies are amazing! [Edit – I will be asking for this recipe for a future post!]

What are the most challenging decorations you have produced for a cake?

Anything made from royal icing. Many years ago I had to make hundreds of tiny holly leaves for a Christmas cake. The technique is called run out. You edge a shape with a stiffer icing then fill in the middle with a runner icing. Some had to be 3D so I had to make them over a tube to give the leaves shape. I had to make double the amount I needed as they are so fragile.

What are the three most common baking or cake decorating mistakes you have seen and how are they to be avoided?

Always pre heat your oven, it really does make a difference and don’t keep opening the oven when your cake is in there. Your cake will sink.

Always let your cake completely cool before you ice it, trust me, I have learnt the hard way. You will end up with a soupy mess.

Try and use the best quality ingredients you can afford. We now live in Dorset and have our own hens. I have really seen a difference in my baking just by using lovely fresh eggs. 

Getting children to enjoy vegetables – what’s the secret?!

HA! Oh I wish I knew this! Some things I have picked up along the way…

Pick your battles, if they only want to eat a certain vegetable that day, let them eat it. At least it’s something! If they see you stressed out it will make things worse. That goes for any food really.

Starting with weaning, try to add in veg first before you give them sweet things like fruit. 

Set a good example, try to sit down together. If you’re eating your dinner and enjoying it, then hopefully they will too. Don’t focus on the food, but what you have done in the day or what you might do at the weekend. It’s amazing what gets eaten up when they aren’t even thinking about it.

Don’t give too many options, it can be overwhelming. Especially if you are trying to get them to try something new. Make sure there is always something they like on their plate too. Have food in bowls so they can serve themselves. They can take the amount they feel comfortable to try. They can always take more if they like it. It also makes them feel more grown up. 

Make things fun! Make a smiley face on their plate or cut out shapes with cutters. Let them help make the meal. It’s amazing fun for them. You can get some great child size utensils. Both my kids love prepping the veg for our dinner. Younger children can have a peeler and as they get older you can teach them safe knife skills. Topping and tailing carrots is brilliant fun for a 5 year old to learn under supervision.  It’s very easy to get stuck in a rut, I do this myself. Try and offer a good variety of food. Find some good staples and then pick out a few new things to try every few weeks. Persevere, sometimes it takes a child a few tries before they like something.

For more information on Samantha’s celebration cakes, email me at hello@brucebramfield.com and I’ll pass on your message.

If you’d like a bespoke illustration or design for your wedding stationery, email me at hello@brucebramfield.com for a tailored quote, I’d be really happy to help.