Who doesn’t love cake? I bet you would be hard pushed to find anyone, seriously. For afternoon tea, coffee, visiting someone’s house, a treat when happy or sad, or simply just because; cake, cake, and yes more cake. It’s an institution! I recently made friends with a beautiful lady who also shares my enthusiasm for cake, Miss Chikumo Fiseko - soon to be known as the face of her exciting new baking venture Nyina.
The talented lady behind Nyina.
Nyina’s aim to create the next generation of bakers from anywhere in the world, in the most sustainable way possible. Each baking mix can create a two-tier cake or approx. 14 cupcakes with the customers only needing to add eggs and finish off with buttercream. So, whether the bakers are people that want to learn basic baking/decorating skills or they want to enjoy baking with their families but don’t have the time, it will be simple enough for anyone to get real home-made cakes from a simple all in one mix, without compromising on quality or taste.
Nyina had it’s official launch on Saturday 17th August, hosted by the lovely Boden Park Coffee on the Ormeau Road. The cake mixes, lovingly prepared by Chikumo, were available to buy for any new and seasoned bakers to try for themselves. The results of my own efforts will be revealed as you keep reading! An abundance of tantalising cakes and muffins were also on display, showcasing just what can be done with these all in one mixes. Carrot cake, coffee cake, chocolate, white chocolate, raspberry, vanilla and red velvet - can any one person handle this much cake?! I was in cake heaven for want of a better description.
Chikumo and her mum set out the bakes
Nyina’s launch party was aimed also at helping the business receive donations through a crowd funding campaign ran by Ulster Bank NI Back her Business scheme. A product that makes baking easy, minimises dishes, clean up and mess with delicious results? I’m in! Of course not before sampling plenty of cake along the way…..
Nyina baking mixes - chocolate sponge cake
Nyina chocolate and vanilla cake mixes
Anyone who bakes or has ever attempted baking knows the pain and angst of all the measuring, all the bowls, all the washing up and the gripping disappointment of a flat sponge that deserves nothing less than to be hurtled 50 feet out the window. Nyina baking mixes remove every inch of this, trust me. I’m not a novice to baking but I’ve had my fair share of disasters, mainly because I’ve been careless at measuring my ingredients according to a recipe. This, my friends, is the answer to your prayers. Eggs and butter. Thats all you need to add to the mixes to make the most soft and moist sponge you will have ever made in your life. Pru Leith may watch herself, with these mixes you’ll be applying for the next Bake Off quicker than you scoffed that cake you just made. To finish all you need is a good slather of buttercream ( I made mine from the BBC Good Food website) or if you want to continue the minimal effort theme, shop bought icing is pretty nifty also. Get creative with your toppings - chocolates, sweets, edible glitter or if you’re like me you’ll want to justify your cake intake by throwing some fruit at it and claiming it as your ‘5 a Day’. So…….what are you waiting for? Ready, set, bake….!!!
Nyina chocolate cake mix