Tiny Steps & Cupcakes

“I really really want to eat cupcakes but the butter scares me and the sugar.”

Dear Kamaria’s Kitchen,

I have always loved baking and I used to bake cakes with my mum but when I went to university my mum died and I became an anorexic.  Coping was so hard and I basically had to get away from everything and controlling my eating was basically a coping mechanism.  I am trying to get better but desserts and baking cake is the hardest thing still.  Do you have any recipes or techniques that could help me?  Whenever I look in a cookbook I am either happy or sad and can never bring myself to actually make anything.  My sister wants to help me but I start freaking out when she talks about baking.  Any help would be nice.

Dear Brave & Keen Baker,

First and foremost I would like to congratulate you on writing to  me and taking the right steps to getting better.  You have identified your struggle and you are seeking help which is absolutely amazing so well done you.  People do not realise how hard this is so I hope you are proud of this achievement.

The recipe I have made for you not only has a reduced amount of butter and sugar by incorporating fresh fruit,  but I have also added a fun element which will hopefully not make the butter seem so daunting.  Using fresh fruit is great because not only is it nourishing but it reduces the “sell by date”.  This means you do not have to worry about having cake around your kitchen for very long which may make you feel uncomfortable however, it will also encourage you and company to eat when ready.  I really hope you enjoy these making these cakes and I do hope you let me know how you get on.

Recipe & Method:

1. Mash up two ripe bananas to Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat IT’, or another funky song with the same sort of message.
2. Add 80g softened unsalted butter and 60g caster sugar.
3. Add 2 drops of food colouring in a wacky colour. Mix well so the butter, sugar and bananas are unrecognizable.
4. Sieve in 125g of self raising flour and a tsp of baking powder.
5. Mix well then add a splash of milk to loosen up the mixture.
6. The size of the cupcakes is totally up to you, just remember that the smaller they are the shorter the time it will take for them to cook. If you fill just over half of the cupcake holders (about 6 -7) in a cupcake tin this will take about 25 minutes to bake at 180 degrees C.
7. When firm to the touch wait for the cakes to cool.
8. Sit down with your sister and think about happy memories with your mother and new memories you will make in the kitchen during your progress.
9. Take as long as you want to eat the cupcakes, smile and enjoy.  Your body is wonderful and needs nourishment to survive.  Please take  comfort in knowing this homemade cupcake will do you more good than harm.  And… If you need to listen to some MJ again.  MJ always helps.

Cuppycakes

A few cooking tips for people suffering from anorexia.

• Cooking to music can help alleviate anxiety.  Try not to get too carried away though in Kamaria’s Kitchen cake batter always ends up on the floor when Afrobeats comes on the radio.
• Inviting loved ones to eat with you can encourage a less stressful atmosphere and help you get through the first few mouthfuls.
• Set aside a good amount of time, possibly an extra 30 minutes to the time allocated in the recipe books.  The extra time will allow you to focus on your positive attentions and allow you to take time out if you feel pressured.