Baking Chocolate Crunch

Hi guys!

So lately, all I’ve spent a lot of time binge watching Sophie and Dave vlogs on YouTube. ( They’re so sweet, you should really check them out.) In one of their vlogs, they made chocolate crunch and I felt really inspired to try it myself. It’s quite difficult to describe, you have to have tried it to know what i’m on about. I think the best way to describe it is if a bourbon biscuit and a brownie had a baby, that is how it would taste.

This is such an easy, effortless recipe to make! If you would like to make it, you will need:

• 300g Granulated Sugar
• 300g plain flour
• 80g cocoa powder
• 180g butter

To make chocolate crunch, you will need to:

• Sift the sugar, cocoa powder and flour into a bowl.
• Melt the butter, then pour it into the dry ingredients. Mix it together until combined.
• Pour it into a greased baking tray, and pat it down firmly. Bake for 30 mins at 180 degrees.
• Once out the oven, sprinkle sugar over the top and wait for it to cool, before serving.

Final thoughts:

This tastes amazing! Although i’m not really sure what you’d class this as, (its not really a biscuit or brownie), I think this is my new favourite treat! I remember eating this in primary school and completely forgot that it existed until now. Its super easy to make, and you can either eat it alone or add warm custard to it, its completely up to you. It’s definitely worth a try if youre short on time, but really want a chocolatey sweet treat!

Whats your favourite dessert?

Take care,

~ Emma x

Baking Nadiya Hussain’s No Flour Brownies

Hi guys,So while in quarantine, I’ve done a lot more baking. Not only is it super relaxing, it also makes me feel a little more productive – which the intensive being getting a yummy treat at the end. What’s not to love? However, due to the pandemic, buying flour is a nightmare at the moment. There’s none to be found, everyone seems to want to bake so has gone from panic buying toilet rolls, to panic buying flour. Fabulous. * eye roll.*However, I’ve been reallyyyyy craving brownies lately, but given my current financial situation, cannot justify buying brownies when its definitely cheaper, and probably more healthy ( But only slightly ) to make your own. So, I stumbled across this recipe and let me tell you, it is a life saver!You will need:

• 375g (13oz) chocolate. Either milk chocolate or dark, or a mix, either is good.
• 220g (8oz) butter
• 4 eggs
• 150g (5oz) caster sugar.

Instructions:

• Melt the butter and chocolate together. I did this in the microwave, setting it for 30 seconds, mix, 30 seconds, mix, until it was done. However, this may vary depending how powerful your microwave is so be careful!
• Once melted, mix the chocolate and butter really well.
• In another bowl add 4 eggs, and the caster sugar. Whisk until light and fluffy. ( it should look super pale and bubbly, if you’re unsure)
• Add the butter and chocolate mix into the egg and sugar. Mix until combined.
• Pour into a lined and greased tin ( 25 x 25cm)
• Bake at 160 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. ( I found that mine took 45 mins, so take it out at 25 mins and poke it with a knife to check. It very much depends on your own oven, so you may need to use your own judgement for this part.)
• When cooked, take the brownies out and put them to one side until they’re room temperature. When they’re cooled, place into the fridge for 4 hours ( Or however long your will power will allow… it’s too easy to be impatient and sneak a taste!)
• After 4 hours, cut into squares and serve. I like to serve mine with ice-cream, but its completely up to you!

My Personal Thoughts:

So I tried this recipe myself, and have a few thing’s id like to share about it with you. Firstly, although I joke about having the willpower to not touch warm gooey cake, I soon learnt that its actually really important to leave it alone. I had a little taste before it was ready, and it was very soft as it hadn’t firmed up yet. The texture wasn’t quite right, despite the fact I followed the recipe word for word.Putting it in the fridge helps it to firm up, as that’s almost taking the roll of the flour. However, I put them back in the fridge and actually waited to have it with ice-cream for dessert that evening, and it is much better when its firmed.I would also like to add that because they’re so soft, they’re a bit harder to remove from the tray when you come to cut them. They just stick… so although I greased the tray well, it was a challenge. I counted out 15 squares when I cut them, but it definitely turned into 15 – ish – not quite due to this. However, if you’re eating them alone then that may not matter to you.Despite these few facts, the brownies were really Delicious! Everyone in my family loved them, and I hope you enjoy them too!Please let me know if you make Nadiya’s recipe! Also, what food/desserts to you like to make? See you soon, stay safe.~ Emma x

Personal update… do I stop being an anonymous blog?

Hi guys,

As you know, this blog has been anonymous for 4 years. I call myself ‘little harto’ as I was very much inspired by Hannah Hart a few years ago  – and was also too scared to show my real self as I was scared of people in my real life finding this and bullying me for it.

However, I have now come to a time where I want to expand this. Although theres lots of comfort in being anonymous, I want to show full makeup looks like everyone else as I feel very restricted right now. But most importantly, I want to see how this grows if I start showing my true, authentic self rather than hiding behind ‘little harto.’  I am 22 now. I am out of college, and I am a grown adult who has a lot more confidence than I did at 17/18 years of age. I want to be more free and see where this takes me. I think im ready for that adventure.

I really hope I will have your support through this, as this is a big step for me. You guys have made me feel so validated and good about my content, so I hope this change is something you can all accept.

Thank you guys, see you soon x

 

-littleharto x

 

 

Tanya Bakes Book Review

Hey guys.

So if youve been following my blog for a little while, you may know that I love to bake. If the mood just takes me and i’m inspired or intreged by recipes – then i’ll always find some time to bake, and always love every second of it.

When I first saw this book in WHSmiths, I instantly fell in love with it. The front cover is so bright and eye catching, and the pictures inside are all so aesthetically pleasing. 

Also, the recipes are all things I like or am interested in trying  ( Eg anything from rich, chocolatey deserts to pop tarts.) Plus the instructions are written in a way thats detailed, but doesnt have any jargon or vague/hard to understand steps. Its all just plain, simple english – so even if youve never baked in your life, you can still make some amazing treats.

I know I speak highly of this book, but when you try the recipes yourself, youll understand why. Ive made her Lemon Drizzle Loaf, White and Milk Chocolate cookies and Chocolate Honeycombe Caramel cupcakes so far.

(Heres my attempt at the cupcakes. They look a little messy, but the taste made up for it.) 

They were all easy to make and delicious – so I can see myself getting a lot of use out of this book in the future.

Thats all for now guys.

In the comments below, let me know what youll be making from Tanya Bakes. However if you dont own it yet, are you going to buy it?

-littleharto ♡

Marshmallow Rice Crispy Treats

Hey guys!

So the other day, I was in one of those moods where I felt like baking, but didn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen making cake. Seeing as rice crispy treats are so quick and easy, i eventually settled on them to satisfy my sweet cravings.

Just to add, this would be a good recipy to make with kids, as they are so easy and quick to make – I know my baby nephew will love treats like this, once hes a little bit older and can help.

Ingredients:

60g butter
210g Marsmallows
140g rice crispies

(Makes 20)

First, I melted the butter in a pan, then added the marshmallows. I stired until it was all smooth and combined, then mixed the rice crispies in until they were all covered.

You could then add them to a tray covered with parchment paper, flatten it down, and cut into squares, but I chose to stick spoonfuls of the mixture to floral cupcake cases.

If you do choose to stick spoonfuls into cupcake cases, then try to be quick as it gradually gets harder to do as the mixture slowly solidifies by itself.

This next bits optional, but if you want to you can decorate them however you like. Once thats done, put them in the fridge to help them to solidify and enjoy!

Its been a good few years since I made Rice Crispy cakes, but theyll always be my favorite treat. Despite what anyone says, I’ll never be too old for them!

-littleharto ♡

Nominated for the Liebster Awards

Firstly, sorry this isnt a tuesday upload like normal, but this whole concept made me feel like making a quick, spontaneous post. ( And yes, I still have a post ready for tuesday so dont worry!)

Anyway, I was nominated by @beautylabs93 for the Liebster Awards. Its basically an award for bloggers to nominate and discover blogs, as well as giving them the recognition they deserve.

Thank you so much to people who choose to read by blog, let alone like, comment or follow. It makes me so happy and motivated to know that people recognise my efforts, and that just doing what makes me happy can be enjoyed by others too. 💖

Rules:
🌼Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you
🌼Answer the 11 questions the blogger gives you
🌼Nominate 5-11 bloggers that you think are deserving of the award
🌼Let the bloggers know you nominated them
🌼Give them 11 questions of your own

Here are the questions I was asked.

1.Have you traveled?
Yes, although I probably wouldnt alone as its so stressful. Inside the UK ive been to liverpool, milton keynes, Stratford and birmingham. I’ve also planned to go to Sorrento ( Italy ) with dad next year, and have been to Tenerife a few times. Theyre all so lovely, id definetly recomend them.

2.Whats the one product you cant live without?
Concealer (specifically, Rimmel’s wake me up concealer)

3. Do you have a day job?
Nope. Im currently in the middle of my college course, so dont think id be able to juggle assignments and a job. Its a must that I get a job once my college course is over though.

4. What is your favourite post on your blog?
They’re not up yet, but are written and  shall be up over the next 2 tuesdays. Watch this space 😏

5. What inspires your blog posts?
Probably just the fact that because im an anonymous blog, i can write whatever I like without feeling limited, and worrying about judgement ( this is not to be confused with mean online trolls though). I mean this in a way where i can freely talk about sexuality, including my own, coming out and self acceptance – where as if i wasn’t anon im 99.9% people in my class would find it, and take the piss. I guess anon is kind of like my safe place, to truely, unapologeticically and honestly express my opinions on big topics.

6. Any hidden talents?
I guess this is my hidden tallent, as no one  in real life knows I have a blog, and people online seem to enjoy reading my posts. ( is that a cop out answer? 😂)

7. Who is your role model?
I feel like this is obvious – but Hannah Hart. (MyHarto on youtube) without her, I probably wouldnt have had the guts to speak up and try to be heard, when it comes to things like sexuality.

8. What is your favourite beauty brand?
Revolution

9. What got you into blogging?
Ive always been creative and loved writing, plus sometimes I iudt need a creative outlet as im a bit of a worrier.

10. Sweet or savory?

Sweet – I may have a slight obsession with chocolate bourbons.

11. Whats your favourite song?
Voodoo Doll or Money by 5SOS.

I nominate:

@littlethingy
@PoresForThought
@agirlrecommends
@sammisays
@littlegooseums

My questions to you:

1. Were/are you a good student?
2. Do you believe in the whole “one true love” and “soulmates” concept? Why?
3. Favorite thing to bake?
4.If you could be a Disney princess/Prince for a day, who would you be?
5. Whats one thing you regret?
6. Perks of having a blog?
7. Would you rather have nice hair and bad makeup, or bad makeup with nice hair?
8. Ever been to a concert?
9.Most difficult thing about travel?
10. Regular tea or herbal tea?
11. Favorite dunking biscuit?

Thats all for now, I cant wait to see your answers. Also, dont forget to spread the positivity and happiness by nominating your own favorite blogs!

*Sends all the big squishy hugs*

-littleharto ♡

Birthday Baking

Hey guys.

So the other day, I had a go at baking my mum a birthday cake using Raphael Gomes’, Epic Kitchen Adventures, ” My mums chocolate cake.” Recipe.

It was a bit different to cakes I usually make and was an…. interesting experience, so decided to tell you how it went, and give you useful tips so hopefully you dont make the same mistakes as me!

As I like to lay everything out infront of me before I start, I measured all the ingredients out and put them in seperate bowls. However, when it came to seperating the eggs yolks and whites – id advice you to tap the egg with the side of a spoon if youre heavy handed. Usually tapping it on the side of the bowl is fine, but i needed to be more delecate when breaking the shell in half this time, to minimise the mess of this part.

Also dont whisk the egg whites at the start, because the recipe takes a while to do – meaning the air will slowly make the egg runny and less mirange-like. I tried to whisk it back up and make it thick again but it just doesnt happen second time around, so dont whisk the eggs until you actually need them.

Another point is be careful when melting the chocolate, so it doesnt burn. I was trying to multitask and ended up putting the chocolate on for longer than needed – meaning my brother had to run to tesco and get more so i could start again. The 2nd batch was better, so i definetly learnt my lesson. Its definetly better to not attempt doing too much at once.

Once the cake mix was finally coming together, I thought it was going to be easy – talk about speaking too soon. As the flour makes the mixture quite thick, my hand held electric mixer broke, as one of the whisks came completely off the stick and got stuck in the mixture. To be honest, it was an old mixer but I wish it had worked for 5 minutes more – you need to be quite strong to mix this mixture by hand as its so thick!

Once it was in the oven, I could finally relax and clean up. The recipy said that it takes 45 minutes to 1 hour, however after an hour some of the cake aas done, but other sections were undercooked. So after a phone call with the wisest woman I know ( aka, my grandma ) she suggested putting tin foil over the top of the cake so it doesnt get any darker, but the middle still cooks. It sounds crazy but really does work, meaning you hopefully never have the worry of burning your cake again.

Once cooled, I iced the cake using Betty Crocker Icing ( yes I cheated, but after everything that happened before, can you blame me? 😂) and put white chocolate buttons on top.

Over all, it definetly wasn’t my finest bake, but it did end up tasting delicious in the end – so its an A* for effort!

Thats all for now guys! In the comments, tell me what youve baked from Epic Kitchen Adventures, and how it went.

-littleharto ♡