When Appliances Online set the Bake and Win Challenge, I thought I'd have a go at making some cupcakes that are particularly apt as we have nicknamed them the "Washing Machine Cupcake"!
Using the set ingredients that were listed on the competition page I made:
Choc Chip Cupcakes with a Swirly Mint Frosting
65g caster sugar
60g light soft brown sugar
125g self raising flour
2 medium free range eggs
125g butter
2 tbsp milk
25g dark chocolate chips
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
Prepare 12 cupcake cases
Put the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk together.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Spoon mixture into the cupcake cases.
Bake for 15 mins or until
golden-brown on top and spring back to the touch.
Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
And decorate!
125g icing sugar
60g butter
blue food colouring gel
a few drops of peppermint essence
Whisk together the icing sugar, the butter and the flavouring.
Add a few drops of milk if necessary to make a piping consistency.
Halve the butter cream and add a drop of blue gel to one of the halves.
Put half blue and half white cream into a piping bag with a star nozzle.
Swirl the blue and white icing on top of the cakes to create a swirly water effect.
Just for fun.... I got the kids to make a cardboard surround for a cupcake and voila...a Washing Machine Cupcake for Appliances Online!!!
Laundry is a necessary chore made much more difficult when you have a big family that includes both a messy toddler and a fashion conscious teenager! My previous old washing machine struggled to keep up with the pressure and latterly sounded like it was trying to spin bricks rather than clothing. So when Appliances Online offered to send me a Beko 8kg Washing Machine, it couldn't have come at a better or more appreciated time.
The delivery was organised and I was kept informed right up until it arrived. The delivery guys were great and unpackaged the machine, gave me a few pointers and took away all the packaging. Unfortunately they couldn't fit the new machine as my old one was hard wired into the wall. However, Ian was able to remove our old washing machine and plumb in the new one easily and we were ready to go!
The Beko 8kg Washing Machine
I was really impressed with the look of the machine. The programs are clearly displayed around the dial on the front of the machine and a digital display shows the details of the chosen program. Spins per minute, temperature and times are clearly shown on the LCD screen. Adjustments can be made to further tailor the program to suit your washing needs. The 8kg drum is really spacious and large enough to accommodate my family's laundry demands.
My favourite thing about the Beko washing Machine is the Daily Quick program which washes a full 8kg load of washing in just 28 minutes. This has revolutionized my laundry! I can now do three loads of laundry in the time it took to do just one load. When the kids are back at school I'll be able to get their uniforms washed and hung out to dry on the Friday night, leaving my weekend free from laundry chores. More time to have family fun!!
Another program is the Xpress Super Short which washes 2kg of washing in just 14 minutes. So if your teenager suddenly decides they want a particular outfit for an evening out, you have time to run it through the wash. This will avert any laundry related emergency!
The washing cycle is quiet even when spinning, which is really noticeable given that my last machine was so very noisy. It is a joy to not have my washing machine drown out the sound of my TV.
The Beko 8kg Washing Machine has an A+++ rating making it really energy efficient. This saves on both water and electricity, which will also save me money in the long run! Used in conjunction with the 28 minute wash cycle this is a really economical answer to doing laundry.
The Beko 8kg Washing Machine is a great value machine that is perfect for larger families. It is energy efficient, well built, economical, quiet and has a large capacity. I really can't recommend this washing machine enough! It costs under £300 and is packed with useful features to make laundry less of a chore.
If you are looking for a new kitchen appliance and are looking for great service, free delivery, a connection service, fuss free returns and a price match promise, then check out Appliances Online. They are the UK's largest online kitchen appliance retailer stocking all major brands at great prices. They also offer advice via their UK based call centre. Appliances Online really do put the customer first!
I'm sure by now, everyone has heard the urban legend of the "Fairy Hob Mother", the mysterious visitor of blogs who reads the comments we leave and who surprises random bloggers with a surprise gift! Like a modern day virtual Santa, Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny rolled into one! I was over the moon to be visited by the lovely, hilariously funny Ian from Appliances Online, who wanted to send me a present! I'd made a comment on Two Become Four's Reasons to be Cheerful post. Ian saw my comment and then visited my blog and read about my love of horror films and decided that this would be an ideal book for Inside the Wendy House!
What a fantastic choice and 100% totally right up our 'Nightmare on Elm Street'!! The forward by Wes Craven has me wanting to read the whole book in one sitting. Packed with tips and advice, I know I'll be a Zombie Holocaust Survivor when the inevitable happens!
I was thrilled to become a part of this phenomena and totally impressed that a company can take such a keen and caring interest in our blogs and the people behind them! The lovely folk at Appliances Online are obviously enjoying every moment of this, and are choosing such thoughtful presents for everyone. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside :)
If you are ever in the market for new white goods for your home, check out their website. They have put the customer at the heart of their business, offering free advice, a price match promise, free delivery, 10 day returns guarantee and a connection and recycling service. They didn't ask me to say any of this by the way...but it sounded too good not to give them a plug!!
If you'd like the chance of maybe becoming the next blogger chosen to receive a special treat leave a comment on this post. It makes my day when I receive comments on my posts, so not only will it make me happy, it might also make you very happy if you get chosen next!
