Lily Vanilli Cake Fight

POP Magazine S/S 2012 Fashion vs Cakes

2012-02-22T05:44:00.002-08:00

I worked with Gary Card recently on this project for Pop.

The Cakes spent about 20 hours in hair & makeup

Shot by Daniel Sannwald

Out now!

Styling: Tamara Rothstein

Hair: Tina Outen @ Streeters

Make Up: Inge Grognard @ Jed Root

Manicure: Rebecca Jade Wilson @ Jed Root

Model: Frida Gustavsson @ IMG

Set Design : Gary Card

Cake Design: Gary Card and Lily Vanilli

Cakes by Lily Vanilli

Bleeding Hearts 2012

2012-01-28T02:28:00.000-08:00

Back by demand -- get your orders in now for Valentine's 2012 Bleeding Hearts.

Red Velvet, Rich blood-red Cocoa Cake w/Raspberry Blackcurrant Coulis

Boxed and ribboned £10 each.

Ash - Carnal Love from Alex Turvey on Vimeo.

Lily Vanilli's Bloody Valentine from Alex Turvey on Vimeo.

email: sendflours@lilyvanilli.com to place an order.They won't survive in the post so were doing collection only from our London bakery.

Winter, Witchcraft and 180 Club with Chase Vodka and Gin

2012-01-17T01:39:00.000-08:00

Finally posting images from the last 180.

We had amazing drinks all night courtesy of Chase - we infused their vodka and gin to make spicy wintery cocktails, had vodka shooters with mixed berry coulis and chilli, and shots of marmalade vodka.

The canape menu can be seen on the flyer in a previous post.

Thanks again to the Baby Bathhouse for their hospitality and amazing venue.

More images on the 180 Tumblr

All images by Rasha Kahil

Marawa the Amazing

Noemi Klein Jewellery

2011-11-24T02:43:00.000-08:00

"I am inclined to think that cakes and ale prevail most freely in times that are perilous and when sources of sorrow abound." Anthony Trollope

This Event.....

2011-11-21T12:24:00.000-08:00

...is taking place.

I, for one, am very excited...

Online Invite & Links

Lately at Vanilli's

2011-11-15T05:17:00.000-08:00

Limpet Cake!

Ladurée Wall Chart

2011-11-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

Learn to Bake

2011-11-10T04:30:00.000-08:00

LV Christmas Hampers

2011-11-05T11:44:00.001-07:00

!!!!!!!!!!

Each includes:

A Bag of Absinthe Fudge

Assorted Hand Made Truffles

Whisky Salt Caramel Popcorn

Christmas Tree Sugar Syrup

LV Monogrammed Mince Pies

Spiced Courvoisier Carrot and Fruit Cake topped w/gold Coconut

Quince & Cranberry Fruit Leather

Coleman Coffee Espresso Blend

Christmas Brownie

A Special Super Secret Surprise!

Carefully hand made & beautifully wrapped

£70

Quince & Cranberry Fruit Leather

Maiden in Shoreditch

2011-11-04T01:43:00.001-07:00

Last Valentine's day when I was making hundreds of bleeding hearts for collection and had no fixed kitchen of my own to use as a depot (long story) the lovely Noah at Maiden came to the rescue.

His shop is well worth visiting if you are in the area, not just because he's very nice and funny.

Here are some things you can buy there:

A tray with Moby Dick on it!
Ice Ice Baby!

An owl that's a money box!

Hamburger egg timer!

You can read more about it and work out how to get there Here

H A L L O W E E N I N T H E B A K E R Y

2011-10-26T01:33:00.000-07:00

In the bakery this weekend --

We have an exhibition of artwork by Paul Parker - who illustrated the 'Zombie' book

We're also making lots of cakes from the book, including the edible bleeding hearts, blood & bones meringues, black roses & lots of new ones.

We have also installed a huge backdrop of the interior of a zombie's kitchen illustrated by Paul.

Come Die-n with us!

Link to some more on 4 Food

A History of East London in Cake

2011-10-24T10:26:00.001-07:00

The Truman Brewery last weekend was host to a wide range of creative, experimental people from up and down the country working within food.

There were incredibly life like cake sculptures, camel milk ice cream, an exploding cake and I told the history of East London in cake.

Here's some of it!

images thanks to Rebecca who helped me out on the day too

The Bakery: Timeout Reviewed ★★★★

2011-10-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

Timeout reviewed our little bakery - here's what they said!

Patisserie/Bakery: British

Time Out says ★★★★

Lily Jones (aka Lily Vanilli) carved out a solid, celebrity-packed fan base well before opening her own bakery. Her foray into sculptural, macabre cake creations (roadkill cake, gingerbread gravestones, marzipan beetles) gave sweet treats a contemporary, anti-cute makeover and set her far apart from the mainstream cupcake clan.

It's a touch surprising, then, to find her first establishment, just off Columbia Road flower market, completely void of gore. The baker's experimental creativity, however, remains on show.

On our visit, we ogled a towering pomegranate and coconut Victoria sandwich, glistening honeycomb and ganache tarts and individually turned out cherry bakewells. The bakewells - lined up like cherry-topped pork pies - had a unique pastry top concealing buttery, almond-sweet frangipane and a beautifully sharp fruit compote. The more familiar red velvet cupcakes were equally good, as was a heady, deliciously naughty absinthe and mint ice cream.

Space is tight (this is a bakery, after all) with not much indoor seating and a courtyard area packed with customers. Vintage styling and rustic touches (wooden boards on the counters and areas of bare brick) make this a cosy teatime destination - one you'd gladly make the effort to visit on Sunday, the sole opening day.

woop!

EFS/FAS/Edible Flowers

2011-10-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

I'm collaborating with the awesomely talented Flower Appreciation Society on one of the cakes for next week's Experimental Food Society Spectacular.

I'm doing 'The History of East London in 18 Cakes' - Can you guess which one were working on together?

Here's a recent post they did on edible flowers

Check out their inspiring site here

#ChocolateWeek - Truffles in the Bakery

2011-10-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

This week in the bakery: Handmade whisky & burnt butter truffle, Hawaiian sea salt truffle, white and dark chocolate truffles...truffley truffle truffle truffle trufflegar square

Were working with Divine Fairtrade Chocolate this Chocolate Week -

Bread, Pastry + Cake Classes held every Saturday in the LV Bakery

2011-10-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

Cakes & Pastries in the Bakery

Bread baked in week 1 of the Breaducator

bread class

Freshly baked brioche & coffee in the morning + Saturday papers

For more info: http://thebreaducator.tumblr.com/

Sponsored by WH Marriages flour - our miller for the Lily Vanilli Bakery.

You'll take home a bag of lovely flour, a scraper (the best tool!), some yeast (if learning bread) and lots of new skills.

Classes are £30 for 2.5 hours. booking now!

contact: thebreaducator@lilyvanilli.com

XXX

Babs Windsor & the Wilton's Music Hall

2011-10-05T05:43:00.002-07:00

On Sunday 25th Sept Wilton's Music Hall held a fundraiser with Anthony Burrill, Barbara Windsor, an amazing magician & myself to raise much-needed funds to protect the space.

It was a really fun day and lots of turn out to support the hall meant we overall raised thousands of pounds towards the cause.

There were some spectacular cake entries & joint winners of the grand prize.

www.wiltons.org.uk for more details

Watch this space for future events as I think we might be doing this again

H A R V E S T F E S T!

2011-08-31T04:01:00.001-07:00

One week to go before this year's Harvest at Jimmy's...

We are building a diner, complete with rustic Suffolk inspired menu, ice creams, delicious lemonade and ice tea, coffee & performances from Yum Cha Cha (pictured) including:

Marawa the Amazing will be performing the 'Fruit Salad of Death' act - see her climb a ladder of swords barefoot whilst making a fruit salad on the blades.

She will also be performing the melon act (clip below)

The Fabulous Russella will be reading tarot

The Broken Hearts will provide the soundtrack

Jon Van Der Put the incredible food magician will host a brunch on Sunday

Stephen Williams will be performing handstands while icing Bakewell tarts

PLUS

Free Candy Floss! (make your own)

Skittles

Coconut Shy

Guess the weight of the cake

+ more

More Photos from the Bakery

2011-08-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

Red Velvet with Coconut & Redcurrant, Victoria Sandwich, Bakewell Tarts, Chocolate Meringues with Pistachio, Triple Chocolate Brownies

Sausage & No-sage Rolls

Baby Aubergine, Mushroom, Brandy, Thyme, Walnut, Fig & Goats Cheese Tart. Asparagus Tart

Flourless Chocolate Cake w/Pistachio

Bank Holiday Sunday M E N U

2011-08-27T03:19:00.001-07:00

Marzipan Dragon!

2011-08-02T01:49:00.000-07:00

For Camp Bestival-- Full Castle cake images coming soon

Cake for the Wellcome Trust - 75th Anniversary

2011-08-02T01:42:00.001-07:00

I'm a huge fan of the trust so this was a great honour... The brief was to make a giant birthday cake, I painted on images from the Trust's 75 year history - the candles are made from wood with ribbon & LED lights. Terrible photos courtesy of David's iphone once again (sorry)

More Cakes From the Bakery Countertop

2011-08-02T01:36:00.001-07:00

Geese & Quince recipe from c. 1390

2011-07-18T08:20:00.000-07:00

From the 'Forme of Cury' - a Middle English Recipe collection

SAWSE MADAME

Take sawge. persel. ysope. and saueray. quinces. and peeres, garlek and Grapes. and fylle the gees þerwith. and sowe the hole þat no grece come out. and roost hem wel. and kepe the grece þat fallith þerof. take galytyne and grece and do in a possynet, whan the gees buth rosted ynouh; take an smyte hem on pecys. and þat tat is withinne and do it in a possynet and put þerinne wyne if it be to thyk. do þerto powdour of galyngale. powdour douce and salt and boyle the sawse and dresse þe Gees in disshes and lay þe sowe onoward.

Translation: SAUCE MADAME.

Take sage, parsley, hyssop and savoury, quinces and pears, garlic and grapes, and stuff the geese with them. Sew the hole so that no grease comes out, and roast them well, and keep the dripping that falls from them. Take galyntyne (sauce or jelly of meat juices) and grease and add to a posset; when the geese be roasted enough, take and smite them into pieces, and that which is within and add to a posset (pot) and put wine in it if it be too thick. Add powder of galingale, powder-douce and salt, and boil the sauce and dress the geese in dishes and put the sauce on them.

ye olde yummmm

Vodka infused psychedelic stained glass bottle cake for Absolut Blank

2011-07-12T03:01:00.000-07:00

I decorated this cake live at the Pernod-Ricard summer party - the brief was to do anything I wanted - provided it was a 1m tall blank bottle to begin with - so we made a Vanillia Vodka infused multicoloured cake and frosting, coated it in Royal icing in the face of gale force winds so strong they blew the gazebo clean off the roof and decorated it in shards of sugar to make a stained glass image complete with metallic insects.

other bottles designed for the Absolut Blank series

Summer Berry Victoria Sponge

2011-07-08T11:54:00.001-07:00

* M A R A W A T H E A M A Z I N G *

2011-07-06T06:39:00.000-07:00

July 16th - I'll be making canapes to accompany each of the amazing acts performed by the Amazing Marawa...prepare to be amazed!

Images from The Bakery

2011-07-05T01:10:00.000-07:00

a new review on the lovely Teasemaid blog here

Review of our cakes

2011-06-11T00:59:00.000-07:00

From our opening day - on this blog

More flavours this week. Working on new cakes today:

Summer carrot & courgette/orange, almond & poppyseed

Plus vegetable tarts, salted chocolate chip cookies, triple chocolate brownies, ginger and chili brownies, pecan walnut brownies, lemon tarts, lemon and pistachio shortbread, the amazing bakewells, ganache fruit tarts and of course PIZZA WEEK!!

fresh baked summer vegetable pizza, made onsite.

Great coffee, tea & fun times

Recipes in Last Sunday's Times Style Magazine

2011-06-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

Will upload full clipping & recipes soon but here's a shot of last Sunday's summer recipes special in STS. I did the puds

XXX

Bakery Open//Best Weekend Ever

2011-06-07T02:48:00.000-07:00

The Lily Vanilli Bakery is now open every Sunday in The Courtyard on Ezra St, E2

We opened for the first time last Sunday and it was the best day ever. Beautiful cakes, great coffee (we sold out by 2pm), lots of nice people and a great atmosphere. Looking forward to the coming weeks, new ventures, new recipes, the supper clubs, the cocktails, the ice creams, the milkshakes and the brioche revolution.

Come and visit us every Sunday at The Courtyard, Ezra St, E2. Just off Columbia Rd by the Royal Oak pub.

Coffee from: http://colemancoffee.com/

NEW SITE LIVE

2011-05-31T02:26:00.000-07:00

Big love to Makoto + Studio Baron

New site up at:

www.lilyvanilli.com

Watch this space for info on events, 180, the new bakery, Salon du The, the YBFs and of course CAKE

xxxx

PIE

2011-05-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

LV Cake Sculpture at the V & A Museum

2011-05-30T02:35:00.000-07:00

As always, terribly inadequate images, but finally here's a post on the V&A cake.

The occasion was Royal Wedding Weekend and this was exhibited throughout the Big Day and then eaten. I took design influences from Victoria & Albert's wedding cake, as their's was the original tiered cake and the first to use Royal Icing (so named for that reason). To highlight the commercialisation of the modern Royal family I made the cake gold coated and jewel encrusted like a big gaudy souvenir.

The cake was a rich spiced chocolate, with pear mousse buttercream and bucks fizz curd. The jewels and stained glass were hard candy.

some more images on the V and A flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fridaylate/5684335992/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fridaylate/5683913357/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fridaylate/5683911065/in/photostream/

This photo: Jane Hobson Photography

Renovation STationz

2011-05-29T00:47:00.000-07:00

GOLD TILL

OPEN NEXT SUNDAY 5TH JUNE XXX

LV Flagship Bakery set to open June 5th

2011-05-27T05:25:00.000-07:00

Were opening our first outlet next Sunday morning on Ezra St E2 - find us just off Columbia Rd by the Royal Oak pub.

expect beautiful handmade pastries, cakes, pies, tarts, marshmallow, meringue, all kinds of cookies and our award winning brownies. Plus a friendly atmosphere, open kitchen so you can see us all at work and incredible coffee from up and coming roastery Coleman Coffee.

the website is relaunching next week too and will have details of opening times, bakery menu, secret supper clubs, private hire and of course the LAUNCH PARTY. Coming soon...watch this space!

Lily Vanilli at Harvest at Jimmy's 2011

2011-05-27T05:19:00.000-07:00

Harvest at Jimmy’s

JIMMY DOHERTY HOSTS HARVEST FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL ON SUFFOLK FARM

9-12^TH SEPTEMBER 2011

‘Harvest’, the festival that champions the best of British food and music is offering a delicious mix of current radio favourites and big names from the food world. It’s well a known fact that the best accompaniment to great food is great music, and boy do Harvest have some corkers set up for you this year!

Come join Lily Vanilli at ‘Harvest’ for what is set up to be one of the most exciting weekends of the year.

Take a look at what’s been announced so far and stay tuned for more...

http://harvestatjimmys.com/

Yesterday's Bake

2011-05-18T02:33:00.000-07:00

Studio Baron Design - LV Business Cards

2011-05-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.studio-baron.com/projects/lily-vanilli/

180 pop up this weekend! Thurs - Sun 1pm-7pm

2011-03-29T03:21:00.000-07:00

180 @ House of Hackney Pop up - all weekend Thurs-Sun 1-7pm. Cake, Ice cream, Tea, Performers, Fortune Telling, Marawa the Amazing & the Fruit Salad of Death Act! Sword Climbing! Donuts, Eclirs, Tarts, Shortbread, Scones, Meringues. 76 Stoke Newington Rd xxx

Some Pictures from the 180 Cake Member's Club Launch

2011-03-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

Live fortune cookie teller.

The beautiful images above are courtesy of the lovely Coralie Grassin and her blog.

These photos courtesy of the amazing Amy Gwatkin - Thanks Amy! xxx

Read reviews via British Baker, the East London Advertiser and Conde Naste Traveller

Lily Vanilli Fairtrade Bake-off Challenge

2011-02-28T04:13:00.000-08:00

Watch the clip and sign up! - voiceover by the guy from Come Dine with Me (apparently)

Chocolate Tea Party with the Sick Children's Trust

2011-02-27T02:49:00.000-08:00

Sunday 10th April 12pm-2

"Big Chocolate Tea Party - The Sick Children’s Trust will be hosting a very special chocolate tea party at the Chocolate Festival with help from Lily Vanilli. Children are invited to come along to our marquee and join in with a variety of chocolate themed games, arts and crafts! There will be goodies and treats on offer and fun for all ages! This will also be a great opportunity to learn about the wonderful work the charity is doing and what you can do to help!"
I will be holding chocolate workshops for kids and chocolate cake decorating at the London leg of this year's Chocolate Festival to support the Sick Children's Trust - who I have loved being involved with since I started Lily Vanilli. Come & Join in.

"Salon du Thé" Project with Gideon Reeling

2011-02-27T01:54:00.000-08:00

"Salon du Thé" @ Corn Exchange Newbury 6pm Saturday 12th March

Gideon Reeling have teamed up with Arts Council England and Corn Exchange, Newbury to develop this exciting theatre-cum-fine-dining event for performances in stately homes, historic houses and elsewhere throughout Summer 2011. Since the 17th century, afternoon tea has had a close association with the greatness of the country. The Salon du Thé explores the preciousness of tea itself and the lavish nature of many of the delecacies we associate with a really good afternoon tea, with cakes provided by ‘baker to the stars’, Lily Vanilli. Tea is a great and very British tradition, “...there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony afternoon tea”, Henry James.

Gideon Reeling are currently creating a work in progress/sharing of ideas that we will air at 6pm in the Balcony Bar and would be very happy if you could join them.

East London Artisan Baker and Cake designer, Lily Vanilli selects only the highest quality fair-trade ingredients, combined with avant-garde cake designs and delicious recipes. Dubbed ‘baker to the stars’ Lily Vanilli stock the Harrods Food Hall, and have been enjoyed by Elton John’s Tie & Tiara Ball, Vogue, Hello Kitty, the Saatchi Gallery and Downing Street.

Limited tickets available here http://www.cornexchangenew.com/events/event_detail/salon_du_the/
More on Gideon Reeling here: http://www.gideonreeling.co.uk/

letter from a 3 yr. old chef

2011-02-25T17:21:00.000-08:00

Dear Ms. Vanilli,

We love your "A Zombie Ate My Cupcake" book.

Horatio asks me to read it to him whenever he spots it.

Last night he "read' it to me, making up gory stories for every picture,

and then looking me hard in the eye he would ask, "now, you want one?"

Sending you these pix because you asked in the intro. and I thought it was so cool

that you wanted to see! We skipped the pom. seeds in the Dracula's Bites,

but next time we won't!

Has inspired some possibly less frightening batches as well, i.e.

used your recipes for the Lunar New Years bunnies decorated below.

Feature on 180 at 98 in Stylist Magazine

2011-02-23T16:46:00.001-08:00

180 at 98

2011-02-23T16:36:00.000-08:00

Menu for 180 at 98 this weekend:
Absinthe and Mint Dark Choc Chip Ice Cream
Brandy and Quince Ice Cream w/ Cinder Toffee
Rum and Ginger Raisin Ice Cream

Red Velvet and Cherry Mini Layer Cakes
Courvoisier & Cardamom Carrot Cake
Individual Vanilla and Pomegranate Cakes
Pink Scones

Lily Vanilli Brandy Snap Fortune Cookies - with live fortune cookie teller
Pre book only

Twisted Dario Argento Susperia inspired Valentine's film from Me & Alex Turvey

2011-02-14T01:29:00.000-08:00

Lily Vanilli's Bloody Valentine from Alex Turvey on Vimeo.

Alex Turvey is the genius behind the Ash Carnal Love video - we shot this in his flat with heaps of raspberry coulis..
~ WARNING: do not watch if you are about to eat the edible bleeding heart cake ~

Bleeding Heart Valentine's Cake ~ SOLD OUT ~

2011-02-14T00:49:00.000-08:00

at maximum capacity for V Day - now available all year round (to order) - donations will continue to go to support the Trekstock charity and young people with cancer.

2011-02-10T10:59:00.001-08:00

Researching the Edwardian High Tea Tradition & Cakes...

2011-02-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

email me if you have any useful information/images/ideas/suggestions! sendflours@lilyvanilli.com

Rob Whoriskey LV Illustration

2011-02-04T15:41:00.000-08:00

Super amazing illustrator and face of EFes Rob Whoriskey drew this lil' picture in exchange for a cake. I totally love it but no-one gets it because i dont do pizza. i do though and im gonna get it made into a sticker and maybe some other things.
More good stuff HERE

Cake Illustration by Jo Cheung!

2011-02-04T15:27:00.000-08:00

Jo drew this of the cake I made for Amelia's Magazine ACOFI launch party -

See her beautiful blog HERE

Interview on M:/P Mag

2011-02-04T09:40:00.001-08:00

http://jadorempmag.blogspot.com/2011/02/j-adore-lily-vanilli.html

Interview & Baking Tips on Gourmet Chick...

2011-02-04T09:39:00.001-08:00

http://www.gourmet-chick.com/2011/02/gourmet-chick-talks-to-lily-vanilli.html

Recipe for the Ultimate 2011 Bakewell Tart

2011-02-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

& latest column in British Baker Magazine - READ THE ARTICLE HERE

Bake well, Tart.
We have been making these beautiful tarts in our bakery lately, stripped down and freshened up to take the edge off the sweetness, with fresh cherry, flaked almonds and a sharp compôte. With Bakewells it's all about the perfect ratio.

Makes 12 tarts

For the pastry

Organic plain flour 250gplus extra for dusting

Icing sugar50g

Cold butter, cut into small cubes125g

Large free-range egg, beaten1

Splash of milk

For the frangipane

Unsalted butter, room temperature85g

Golden caster sugar85g

Ground almonds85g

Finely grated zest of 1 orange

Egg1

For the cherry filling

Very ripe, de-stoned black cherries65g

Caster sugar25g

Water 60ml

Lime juice1/4tsp

Cornflour1/2tbsp

Extras: flaked almonds, fresh cherries, vanilla buttercream (see recipe from the column in the 14 January issue of BB or use one you like)

Method

1. To make the pastry, sieve the flour, then the sugar from a height on to a clean surface. Use your hands to work in the butter thumbs to fingers to achieve a fine, crumbly mixture.

2. Add the egg and milk and gently work it all together into a ball of dough. Flour lightly. Pat into a flat round, wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour.

3. Meanwhile, make the cherry filling. Pulp the cherries with a hand blender, and place in a medium-sized heavy-bottomed pan along with the caster sugar, lime juice, water and cornstarch.

4. Heat on medium until the cherries begin to release their liquid and then slowly bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Reduce to a simmer and heat until cherry mixture has thickened. Allow to cool.

5. Make the frangipane by beating all the ingredients together until smooth and spoon into a piping bag.

6. Roll out the pastry and cut rounds to fit a cupcake pan, press into place, spoon in some of the cherry mixture, pipe in the frangipane and top with flaked almonds.

7. Bake in a preheated 190C oven for 25-30mins or until golden brown. Cool, pipe with a dab of buttercream and top with a fresh cherry.

Bleeding Hearts a hit in the US!

2011-02-01T10:30:00.000-08:00

"Our favorite Valentine's Day cake of 2011 is the "Bleeding Heart" from cleverly named U.k. baker, Lily Vanilli. Perfect for the not-so-romantic-but-we-love-zombies couple or for any of you who have had your heart ripped out and wish you could do the same to the person who did it. Best devoured with your bare hands for the full bleeding heart experience as demonstrated on Lily Vanilli's blog, the cake is red velvet with cream cheese frosting and oozey blackcurrant & cherry "blood". Sadly our Valentine won't be getting one this year -- even after a little begging, Lily will not ship to States quite yet. Our fingers are crossed for next year."
full article HERE
Also featured on BoingBoing, BlackBook and National Review

Recipe & Instructions for the Bleeding Heart Cake

2011-02-01T01:34:00.000-08:00

For those of you overseas who cant order an edible heart for V day - heres how to make them!

These are actually very simple....I use a Red Velvet cupcake – so bake a batch from your favourite red velvet recipe (theres a good one in my book 'A Zombie ate my Cupcake'). There is really no trick to making anything like this, just find an image (preferably of the real thing) that you want to copy and keep it in front of you while you work with the fondant.

Once the cake mixture is spooned into cupcake cases, use a piece of molded tin foil wedged between the case and the pan to make a little nick which will form the top of the heart.

Cool cake in the pan for 3 mins then transfer to a cooling rack. Once the cakes have cooled completely, remove their cases and set aside.

Now take approx 100g of poppy red fondant and roll out using a silicone rolling pin and mat – to about 1/4“ thickness - into a stretched out oval shape.

Now place the cake in the centre of the oval and pipe a little bit of frosting (I use cream cheese) under it. Wrap the cake with the fondant with the groove at the top -and swiftly bring the fondant together to meet at the top of the cake, - using the extra fondant at the top to form three arteries (use blunt, rounded fondant tools to do this carefully). Don't worry about any creases or gathering in the fondant - they make for useful gory details later on.

Place onto a miniature cake board (secure in place underneath with some piped frosting)

Now paint the heart using a soft brush and piping gel mixed with dabs of claret red and black food dye – it will stay really glossy.

When you are ready to serve, use a pipette or spoon to add black cherry sauce to the arteries and in a puddle around the base.

Pearlescent Scones & Party Cake for Amelia's Magazine #ACOFI launch

2011-01-29T04:02:00.000-08:00

pearlescent pink white chocolate cake

red about the event here here and here , Style Bubble Adorn Girl on Vogue.com

and of course Amelia's !

Working on a spectacular cake for Amelia's Magazine #ACOFI launch on Friday

2011-01-25T10:55:00.000-08:00

- at the Bunker cafe (and after party) at 123 Bethnal Green Rd.
Lily Vanilli cakes will also be officially launching in the cafe from March 2011 with classic British tea service, scones, bakewells, flapjacks, sponges, tea cake, and lots of other delicious pies, tarts and cakes on rotation...can't wait

Big Exciting things planned for Harvest Festival this year -

2011-01-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

cake and lots lots more...

Interview in Women Talking Magazine

2011-01-21T10:15:00.001-08:00

http://womentalking.co.uk/topics/business/lily-vanilli-let-them-eat-cake

Carnal Love in NME's Best Videos of the Year!

2011-01-14T10:00:00.001-08:00

Congratulations Alex xx
http://www.nme.com/list/bestvideosof2010/200787/page/1

For Sale: Valentine's Bleeding Hearts

2011-01-14T09:54:00.000-08:00

PUT A GIFT HEART IN THE MOUTH..

I'm making these edible bleeding hearts available for people to send to their Valentine this year:

They are scarily realistic, but delicious with a red velvet sponge, cream cheese frosting and blackcurrant & cherry 'blood'.

Priced at £7 they are just bigger than a cupcake and come in a cute perspex box tied with a pink or red ribbon and a note if you want to add one. Delivery is charged on top and quoted on order.

I'm teaming up with Trekstock and donating 20% of the sale of every ʻbleeding heartʼ to the music and fashion charity that raises awareness and support for young people with cancer.

They will be available exclusively through www.lilyvanilli.com, or email me direct at sendflours@lilyvanilli.com

“This creative platform is a great way to engage people in vital fundraising and awareness for the Trekstock charity.” Sophie Epstone, Founder Trekstock.

Orders must be placed by 12th February

Heres Tim Wheeler eating his:

Ash - Carnal Love from Alex Turvey on Vimeo.

New Brownie Menu for Harrods

2011-01-14T08:13:00.000-08:00

Brand New Brownie Display Unit for Harrods

2011-01-14T07:56:00.000-08:00

cut vinyl on painted board

Pomegranate, Vanilla & Almond Cake

2011-01-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

Poppyseed Almond Cake with Passionfruit

2011-01-14T07:49:00.000-08:00

Flapjack!

2011-01-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

with sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds

Oreo Cupcakes

2011-01-14T07:46:00.000-08:00

The cake itself wheat free

Scones

2011-01-14T07:34:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin & Raison with fresh strawberry and mixed berry compote

BakeWell Tart!

2011-01-14T06:32:00.000-08:00

We have revolutionised the Bakewell for 2011: bittersweet mixed berry compote, perfect frangipane, perfect ratio of frosting, a crumbly orange zest pate sucre, topped with toasted almonds and fresh cherry- watch this space for the recipe.

Judging Cupcake Camp LDN with Edd Kimber & Mary Berry

2011-01-11T16:26:00.000-08:00

Layer Cakes for a Wedding

2011-01-11T16:17:00.001-08:00

Cupcakes

2011-01-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

Birthday Cakes for Amy Lame

2011-01-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

Brownie Pyramid #2 - Giant Gold Studded Brownie Temple

2011-01-10T10:21:00.000-08:00

Built using a brickwork of 3 Gold Star winning brownies (Great Taste Awards 2010) coated in over a kilo of Divine 85% chocolate ganache (and thats just on the outside) complete with gold chocolate clusters, gold pecans and gold dusted redcurrants. Meet the latest addition to the Lily Vanilli Brownie Pyramid Scheme

Cake Fight in ES Magazine

2011-01-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/article-23905589-party-leaders-the-young-guns-who-rule-london-by-night.do

with James Ramsden, Bompas & Parr, Alice Hart, Ravinder Bhogal & Flavio Carenzi.

Brownie Pyramid #1

2011-01-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

Thai Cupcakes

2011-01-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

Xmas cakes!

2010-12-10T03:50:00.000-08:00

The Nutcracker/Xmas Berry Red Velvet -- In Harrods Now x

piping bag lols.

2010-12-10T03:46:00.000-08:00

happy brithday to y'all/careful what u buy on ebay..

GUN Cookies. for Placebo Launch

2010-12-10T03:14:00.000-08:00

Homemade gun cookie cutter -

Canapes for Lulu Guinness Lip Bar in Harrods

2010-12-10T03:10:00.000-08:00

& LV cakes in Lulu Guinness' week in pictures - Observer magazine

Cake Canapes & More Tron Cakes

2010-12-01T00:22:00.000-08:00

Red Velvet, Cream Cheese, Sour Raspberry Sugar, Gold Coconut & Fresh Raspberry

TRON Helmet Cupcakes

2010-11-30T07:34:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Cupcake, chocolate frosting, fondant

Insect cupcakes for a Kids Party

2010-11-30T07:30:00.000-08:00

Time to start researching...

2010-11-27T05:03:00.000-08:00

..for my new book...

LV Cakes in Vogue Top 10

2010-11-22T18:21:00.000-08:00

LILY VANILLI - Nothing says a celebration like cake. Be sure to seek out the delicious and decorative creations of Lily Vanilli. Our mouths are already watering. From £2 to £2.50, www.lilyvanilli.com and available at Harrods. http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/favourites-of-vogue/101117-engagement-gallery-/gallery.aspx#/imageno/2

Holy Smokes! Brownie batch

2010-11-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

I swear they are improving almost daily. from new LV baker David Wright's recipe (3 Gold stars at the Great Taste awards). Avail everyday in Harrods. These are the BEST brownies in London (thats a gauntlet thrown down fyi!)

Xmas Cupcakes

2010-11-11T07:43:00.000-08:00

very soft ginger spice cupcake, with light cream cheese and cocoa frosting and spiced gingerbread flowers, dusted with coconut or snowflake sprinkles.

Amelia's Magazine Interview

2010-11-08T09:23:00.001-08:00

http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/art/an-interview-with-cake-designer-and-alternative-baker-lily-vanilli-a-k-a-lily-jones/2010/11/08/

Fred Butlerrr interview....I forgot to post this...

2010-11-06T12:31:00.001-07:00

http://fredbutlerstyle.blogspot.com/2010/01/tues-12th-jan-lily-vanilli-part-2.html

Cake Canapes for WAH Nails Bloggers Event

2010-11-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

Mini layer cakes with cream cheese frosting, popping candy biscuit chocolate topper and gold dusted coconut. WAH Brownies xxx

A Zombie ate my Cupcake! available for download from iplayer

2010-11-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/rps-cico/id385933502?mt=8

In the Kitchen today - Cake Canapes, Cupcakes & Popping Candy

2010-11-04T04:50:00.000-07:00

Red Velvet Mini Layer Cakes

2010-11-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

delicate and delicious Strawberry Red Velvet Mini Layer Cake Canapes for press days this week

World's Best Brownie (Triple Chocolate)

2010-11-03T04:45:00.000-07:00

These are amazing, I eat them every day! They won 3 Gold Stars at the Great Taste Awards this year (recipe by new member of my team and master baker David Edward Wright) - I don't usually cash my own stash so much these days (not since I got over the Vanilla Passionfruit cupcake after about 2 full years) but I cant keep my hands off these! They are available from the Lily Vanilli counter at Harrods :)

New Flavour for Nov "Bonfire Cupcake"

2010-11-03T04:39:00.000-07:00

Warm, Wintery Spiced Ginger Cake, with a Light Lemon Frosting, and a custom made Popping Candy, Caramelised Biscuit Chocolate Topper - available all month exclusively in Harrods Food Hall or to order.

Vogue Young Meteors Dec 2010

2010-11-02T05:54:00.000-07:00

me, Isaac McHale and Bompas & Parr reppin' the food group