A Mother's Day Fit For A Queen

WORDS:: CHYKA KEEBAUGH

PHOTOS:: LISA ATKINSON

THIS MOTHER’S DAY HOW ABOUT TREATING MUM TO HIGH TEA AT HOME?

With a selection of sweet treats and a little bit of preparation, you can create a fun dining experience that Mum will never forget. Start your Mother’s Day off in absolute luxury by finding a unique space in your home where you can set up a gorgeous table setting. Don’t fall into the habit of always dining in the same area; move your tables about, and create a new nook that will inspire you to decorate. If the sun is shining, move your table outdoors like I did!

I have loved styling this table in the sweetest of blushing pinks. It’s fresh and feminine, and there is so much you can do in the way of sweet treats in this colour palette. From the icing on the cupcakes to the musk sticks in the mini dessert jars, it is such a lovely way to use an array of pinks and create a really beautiful look. Choosing one of Mum's favourite colours as the theme will be sure to bring a smile to her face.

A FLORAL TABLE PERFECT FOR MUM

If you are creating an afternoon tea for mum, a liberty-themed setting is floral perfection. Moving away from traditional china tableware for this luncheon as my paper plate collection was just so much cuter! I am all for mixing it up and creating a little surprise for guests, and this printed paper collection did just that (and was so easy to clean up afterwards!)

Laying my table with an assortment of liberty coasters created a playful look - using some for drinks and some just for fun. Paper cups pretended they were vases and I popped in gorgeous, short-stemmed garden roses, dainty printed bonbons added a little fun to the table, I kept my cutlery and glassware mismatched but subtle, introduces various shades of tinted glass, as well as sweet pink gingham, handled cutlery. Once everything looked as pretty as a picture - it was time to bring on the food!

DOES YOUR MUM HAVE A SWEET TOOTH?

Here's a classic strawberry sponge cake for you to try! If you're feeling adventurous you could try making a three layer sponge like I have, but a simple two layer strawberry sponge cake is more than fine too. This is the perfect dessert after a lovely long lunch - accompanied by a cup of tea, your mum will be smiling ear to ear.

Ingredients

30g butter, melted
75g (1/2 cup) plan flour
60g (1/2 cup) cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 eggs
170g (3/4 cup) caster sugar, superfine if possible
300ml whipping cream
1 tablespoon icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
2 tablespoons strawberry jam
500g (3 1/3 cups) strawberries, hulled and cut in half

Method

Preheat oven to 180c.
Grease two 20cm (8 inch) round cake trays with melted butter and line the bases with baking paper.
Dust the sides of the tin with a little flour, shake out any excess.
Sift the flour, cornflour and baking powder into a bowl, then repeat the sifting twice more.
Using electric beaters beat the the eggs and sugar for 5min, or until pale and thick.
Using a large metal spoon, carefully fold in the sifted flour mixture until just incorporated - take care not to over mix.
Divide the mixture evenly between the two tins, then bake for 18-20mins, or until cakes are golden and have shrunk slightly from the side of the tins.
Leave in tins for 5mins, turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
combine cream and icing sugar in a bowl and then whip until soft peaks form.
Place one sponge cake on a serving plate and spread with jam.
Top with half the cream and half of the sliced strawberries.
Cover with the second sponge cake.
Spread the remaining cream over the top and top with the remaining strawberries.
Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately!