I know it might seem early to be thinking about Christmas in November, but these cranberry and orange muffins are the perfect gateway into the festive season. They appeared almost by accident — I had leftover cranberries from testing a sauce recipe and a couple of oranges sitting in the fruit bowl. The combination is…
There are few things more satisfying on a grey November day than a steaming bowl of butternut squash soup. I roast the squash first rather than boiling it — the caramelisation adds a depth of flavour that you simply can’t get any other way. Combined with sage from the garden and a handful of crunchy…
I firmly believe that every baker should have a foolproof Victoria sandwich in their repertoire. It’s the cake equivalent of a little black dress — timeless, elegant, and appropriate for almost any occasion. My version uses the all-in-one method, which I know some purists might raise an eyebrow at, but honestly, the results are consistently…
When the first properly cold day of November arrives, I find myself reaching for warming spices and seasonal fruit. This spiced pear and ginger loaf is my answer to those chilly afternoons — the kind of cake that fills the kitchen with the most incredible aroma while it bakes. I picked up a bag of…
Discover expert tips on mixing flours for perfect cake recipes to achieve tender, fluffy, and moist cakes with easy homemade substitutes.
I bought a punnet of plums from Aldi, these were an impulse purchase based on price and the fact that the plums looked so pretty! There were only 5 plums and I decided that cutting them up into slices was the way to go. The buttery pastry base is easy to make and likewise with…
I wonder if the Olympians can indulge in a pudding this week as a reward? Or maybe they are programmed never to go anywhere near sugar. For those of us who like an indulgent dessert/pudding this is one of my favourites because it is as light as a feather to eat, quick and easy to…
These little cakes remind me in taste and texture of almond macaroons which I ate as a child. They are easy to make and taste delicious. My tins (in the photograph below) have removable bases and were given to me by an elderly lady who had been an avid baker but found she was baking…
You’ve seen it on menus: “White Pizza.” And if you’re like many home cooks, you’ve probably tried to replicate it by simply omitting the tomato sauce from your usual pizza recipe. The result? Often a dry, tough, and frankly, disappointing crust that lacks flavor and the airy texture you crave. This common misconception is where…
Do you remember the quiche I made a while back? I’ve taken the same pastry recipe because it works every time and the same savoury custard filling because it’s delicious. This time, however, I’ve used a combination of spring onions which saves cooking onions, Leicester cheese for colour and because I grew up in Leicestershire…
