Baking With Spirit: The Gin Round Up

It seems that this blogging challenge is beginning to pick up some regulars! We have a few newcomers too though, and the more, the merrier. I've really enjoyed reading all of these recipes and have come to the conclusion that I must use the remainder of my gin to make some sort of flavoured gin; I have neither sloes, nor blueberries but I will see what I can scrounge from Morrisons and get to work. Now, let's see who's been spiking their baking this month:

Ellen and Jaqueline at Bake It With Booze scored the first entry this month with these Blueberry and Cream Cupcakes (With Gin). The idea of blueberry-infused gin sounds pretty good, and the cupcakes sound delicious! I especially like how the blueberries have dyed the icing purple.

Jen at Blue Kitchen Bakes made these pretty Sloe Gin Cupcakes. I've never had sloe gin, and since Jen includes a recipe for it on her blog I may have found a use for all my leftover gin!

I was trying to limit my weekend indulgence when I made this Lemon, Blackberry and Gin Traybake by leaving off any icing, and it tasted great without. Lots of moisture from the blackberries, and the gin definitely adds a nice tang.

Mel at Sharky Oven Gloves made these bond-themed Leiter Fluid Macarons. I love the swirl on the shell, and the campari, gin, red vermouth and dark chocolate ganache filling sounds amazing!

We now have a savoury entry from Caroline at Caroline Makes.... I'm not really a meat eater but these Gammon Steaks with Sloe Gin Sauce do look very good! I may try the sauce with something else, as it looks too tasty to leave to the more carnivorous readers of this blog.

Finally, Mel at Sharky Oven Gloves managed to squeeze these White Chocolate Sloe Gin Cupcakes in under the deadline. I'm so glad she did - look at them, they're stunning! I love the hidden ganache supplying that extra hit of sloe gin.

Look out for the new challenge on Saturday - I think you're going to like it!