Simnel cake is one of those wonderfully old-fashioned British traditions that I think deserves a comeback. It’s essentially a light fruit cake with a layer of marzipan baked into the middle and more on top, decorated with eleven marzipan balls representing the apostles (minus Judas, for obvious reasons). I make one every Easter, and it’s…
Every autumn, my neighbour’s blackberry bush produces far more fruit than either of us can eat. Last September, I found myself with a colander overflowing with berries and a bag of Bramleys from the market, and these crumble bars were born. They’re essentially a blackberry and apple crumble in bar form — all the crispy,…
Forced rhubarb is one of the first signs that spring is on its way. Those gorgeous pink stalks start appearing at the market in early March, and I can never resist buying far more than I need. This tart is my favourite way to use them — sharp, rosy rhubarb baked in a silky vanilla…
Why Bother with Hot Cross Bun Loaf? Forget the individual hot cross buns. Honestly, they’re a waste of time and usually just dry out faster. Baking a Hot Cross Bun Loaf is the only smart move. It gives you all that spiced fruit goodness in a format that stays fresh longer, slices better, and is…
If there’s one British dessert that deserves its own fan club, it’s sticky toffee pudding. Rich, deeply sweet, and absolutely drenched in toffee sauce — it’s perfection. I’ve been experimenting with turning it into cupcake form, and I’m rather pleased with the result. All the flavour of the classic, but in a neat little package…
I know the world doesn’t need another banana bread recipe, and yet here we are. In my defence, this one earns its place through two things: the toasted walnuts, which add a bittersweet crunch, and the maple glaze, which transforms a humble loaf into something genuinely special. It started as a way to use up…
The classic lemon drizzle is a masterpiece of British baking — crisp, sugary crust on top, zingy, moist sponge beneath. I’ve added elderflower cordial to the mix, which brings a delicate floral note that complements the lemon beautifully. It’s the sort of cake that disappears at bake sales and causes arguments over who gets the…
There’s something wonderfully comforting about a warm scone straight from the oven, especially when it’s studded with tart raspberries and creamy white chocolate chips. I first made these on a rainy Saturday morning when I had a punnet of raspberries that needed using up, and they’ve since become a weekend staple in our house. The…
These cookie bars are what happens when you can’t be bothered to scoop individual cookies onto a tray — and honestly, I think they might be better than the original. The edges get beautifully crispy while the middle stays wonderfully chewy and soft. Plus, they take about five minutes to throw together, which makes them…
Blood oranges have the briefest of seasons and I look forward to them every January. Their extraordinary colour — somewhere between ruby and sunset — makes any bake look spectacular. This polenta cake is naturally gluten-free, incredibly moist, and has a wonderful slightly gritty texture from the polenta that I find completely addictive. I found…
