Tag Archives: United States

Duffin Recipe

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Doughnut x Muffin = Duffin

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The biggest craze in the bakery world just now is the duffin-a cross between a doughnut and a muffin. After ‘Duffingate’, the scandal in the news where a small London bakery has went up against Starbucks (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/huffin-and-puffin-over-a-duffin–the-doughnutmuffin-hybrid-raising-heat-between-starbucks-and-small-pastry-chain-8867192.html) everyone wants to know how to make these treats. While most recipes are American, with the measurements in cups and confusing ingredients we don’t have, we found one that is easy to make for all us UK bakers. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 300g self-raising flour
  • 85g caster sugar, plus 65g extra to coat
  • pinch of salt
  • 80ml vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 175ml buttermilk
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 3tsp strawberry jam
  • 100g unsalted butter
  • 1tsp ground cinnamon

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4 and grease a 6-hole muffin tin.
  2. Sieve the flour into a medium bowl, then add the pinch of salt and the 85g caster sugar.
  3. In another bowl, combine the vegetable oil, egg, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until they have just combined.
  4. Place a spoonful of the mixture in each muffin hole and make an indent in the centre of each one. Fill each indent with 1/2 tsp of strawberry jam. Cover the jam with the remaining duffin mixture and bake for 20 minutes.
  5. Once baked, remove from the oven and leave the tray on a wire rack to cool.
  6. While the duffins are cooling, melt the butter. Meanwhile, combine the extra 65g caster sugar and the ground cinnamon in a large bowl.
  7. When the muffins are cool enough to handle, brush each duffin with melted butter, then roll in the cinnamon sugar. Serve and enjoy!

Crowdfund – One year on!

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Crowdfunding – Asking a bunch of strangers to fund your business idea…Sounds absolutely crazy right?

Crowdfunding is huge in America with the likes of Kickstarter being the largest platform to raise funds. The phenomenon is really taking off here in the U.K allowing entrepreneurs to access alternative options for funds during the recession.

We launched a crowdfund via Bloomvc.com in August last year and succesfully raised £1300 for packaging development to send our cakes nationwide. We are so excited to launch nationwide delivery next month and it’s all down to the help of 14 customers and complete strangers.

Some crowdfund platforms are equity based but Bloomvc.com works by rewarding backers in return for money. If you don’t raise the full amount that you need then you don’t get a penny.

I offered lots of yummy cake and listed each person as a founder on my website cake-cetera.co.uk After perfecting the packaging I am now able to send goodies to my backers and plan to use them as guinea pigs for new products and feedback so they feel part of my journey and success.

Crowdfunding will only work for you if you put the work in. I’ve listed a few wee tips that might help if your thinking about it!

1. Build up your contacts/supporters/followers/customers first.

2. Don’t expect to upload your fund and wait on backers. You will have to spend time  every day generating interest on social media. Prepare to lose followers.

3. Expect negativity. You are asking people for money to fund your idea.

4. Reward your crowdfunders with rewards that reflect your company

5. Update your funders regularly and make them feel part of your success.

6. Don’t give up. I received £600 on the very last day from a complete stranger who has also been great in providing advice and support.

You can read more about my crowdfund below:

Pauline x

https://www.theformationscompany.com/blog/crowdfunding-small-cupcake-business-goes-national/Image