Gairmscoil Mhuire Blogs

Students in 2nd year have been busy finishing their craftwork.

Updated pictures of the work of the current second years.  Some have even finshed already – 2 weeks ahead of schedule!  Congratulations to the students on their high standard of work.

First years were baking again this week and made chocolate cake.  The recipe is taken from Lifewise by Maria Randles and Maria Kennelly and I have included it here if you want to try it out at home.  As it is an “all in one” recipe, it is very quick to prepare.

Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 175g soft magarine
• 175g caster sugar
• 3tbsp cocoa + 2tbsp boiling water, blended and cooled
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 175g self-raising flour, sieved
• 50g ground almonds

Filling

• 150ml whipped cream

Topping

• 125g plain cholcolate, melted

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180C or Gas 4.
2. Grease and line 2 x 16cm sandwich tins.
3. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
4. Divide mixture between the two tins and smooth out.
5. Bake for 25-35 minutes until skewer comes out clean.
6. Turn out and cool on a wire rack.
7. To decorate, sandwich together with whipped cream.
8. Spread melted chocolate over the top of the cake.

First years were busy trying out Chocolate Brownies this morning.  If you want to make them at home, here is the recipe (taken from “Lifewise” by Maria Randles and Maria Kennelly).

Chocolate Brownies

• 175g butter
• 175g chocolate (70% cocoa)
• 200g caster sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1tsp vanilla essence
• 100g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp salt

1. Preheat oven to 180C or Gas 4.
2. Grease a non stick 23cm square tin.
3. Melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan and cool slightly.
4. Beat sugar, eggs and vanilla essence in a jug.
5. Add this, the flour and salt into the melted ingredients and stir until smooth.
6. Scrape into tin using a spatula and smooth out.
7. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes before cutting into 12 squares.

The LCA students have just started to work on their next project – a skirt.  They will be choosing materials this week and hopefully have the garments ready to wear in March.  Keep track of their progress here.

As you can see 2nd years have started their design and craftwork projects and at the half way stage they are looking very promising.

Check back in after mid term break to see the finished items.

Here are just some examples of design and craftwork projects from the current 3rd year students.  The six week project allows students to experiment with different crafts such as appliqué and cross stitch to produce a unique and decorative item.