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  1. Play Street is a new pop up venture which focuses on children playing and learning within the various role play areas.  After attending one of the first sessions in Poole I knew my daughter would enjoy having her birthday party there.  Being only 3 she doesn’t have too many friends so we spoke to Emily the owner and booked to attend on one of the sessions and then have her party food in a side room after.

    Play street party 16

    The thought, care and attention to detail in the role play areas are clear to see and before we went in we had fun in the garden with a scavenger hunt.  There were magnifying glasses and nature sheets with things for us to look for like a leaf, butterfly, bird, rock and tree. 

    Play street party 9

    Once inside, the Mums found a big table and ordered tea and cake while the kiddies become acquainted with all the areas.  There was a post office, theatre with props and fancy dress, construction zone, drawing area and my daughters favourites which were the shop, house where I caught her ironing and the vets area with big huge teddies ready to be bandaged up and made better.

    I loved watching them all flit between their areas and I know the Mums enjoyed playing with them in between having a good natter and cup of tea.

    Collage Play Street

    Near the end of the session I set up our table in the spare room and Lucy had the tea party she'd asked for.  I put all her favourite things like babybels, raisins, mini scotch eggs, crisps, carrots and cucumber in the china cups (brave I know) and put the finger sandwiches on plates.  All the girls had little tiaras to wear and I couldn’t wait for her to see her cake when they’d all finished eating.

    Our amazing cake was made by Kerry from Big Juicy Cakes and it certainly had the wow factor.  Not only did Lucy LOVE her My Little Pony cake but when I cut it I found it was pink and white marbled inside.  A good celebration cake has to be perfect inside and out and both the cake and buttercream tasted delish.

    Lucy Pony cake 2

    While the cake was being demolished by both adults and children, Emily had hidden some pirate coins in the garden so the kiddies had one last bit of fun while I did the clearing up.

    If you are looking to book a child’s party with a role play theme then I can’t recommend Play Street enough.  You can book for the children to attend one of the pop up sessions if the dates suit or simply organise your own hall and Emily will come to you.  

    For more information on the pop up sessions and parties, please email [email protected] or visit Play Street Dorset on Facebook.

    Play Street new logo

    Dorsetmums received a discount for the purpose of a review however all words are my own.

  2. I had planned to make brownies with my daughter yesterday but when I went to make it I realised my husband had eaten the vital chocolate required so we needed a new plan!

    I had all the ingredients to make a normal sponge and spotted coconut in the cupboard along with a jar of passion fruit curd which is made by ‘From Dorset With Love’.  I adore the taste of this curd so I thought we’d make a variation on jam and coconut sponge.

    I pretty much stick to my cupcake recipe for everything now as it always turns out good.  If you’d like to have a go at making this summery and sticky cake then you’ll find the recipe below.
     
    Ingredients:

    110g softened unsalted butter
    110g caster sugar
    110g self-raising flour
    2 medium eggs lightly beaten
    A few drops of vanilla essence
    Dash of milk
    Jar of Passion Fruit Curd
    Desiccated coconut (no idea how much, I just sprinkled loads on)
     
    Passion fruit and coconut cake 2
     
    Pre heat the oven to 180C/170C fan and line an 8” square tin or use cupcake cases in a muffin tin.

    Cream the butter and sugar until it goes white and fluffy but don’t overdo it. 

    Put the vanilla essence drops in the egg and then add a bit with a little flour to the butter and sugar, beat and then repeat until all the egg is gone.

    Sieve in the flour and gently beat or fold whilst adding a dash of milk. 

    Pop in the tin or cupcake cases and bake for approximately 20 mins if using a tin or less if cupcakes.  When it’s golden brown take it out the oven and gently smear the passion fruit curd on top and then sprinkle on the coconut.  Put it back in the oven for just a few minutes and be careful not to burn the coconut.

    When you take it out of the oven give it a few minutes in the tin before attempting to put it on a cooling rack as the curd will be a bit oozy.

    It made 8 pieces because one broke when cutting and fell in my mouth for the purpose of quality control hehe.

    Now I know I’m no Nigella and I’m not very good with presentation but my 3 year old did a brilliant job and they tasted amazing!  I took the cake on a picnic with friends and although they were a bit messy everyone commented on their scrumptiousness.

    Because the baking made the curd quite sticky I think I’d like to make a Victoria Sponge next time and add the curd and whipped cream in the middle………  Actually, I want that now!

    Dorsetmums accepts no responsibility for burnt cake or weight gain blah blah blah.
     
    Passion fruit and coconut cake 1