For the first time batter has featured in the Great British Bake Off … and probably the last time as the news reaches us that the show is moving over to Channel 4 without Mel, Sue, or Mary Berry. Sad news, as whatever Bake Off becomes, it won’t be the same series we all fell […]
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GBBO week 3 – plaited loaf: cheese, tomato and pesto couronne
The latest edition of Bake Off involved delicious bread – possibly one of my favourite things ever, but sadly something which makes me fat: because once I start eating the stuff I literally cannot stop. Mmmmmm, lovely bread. Anyway, the options this week were chocolate bread, which sounds utterly amazing but there’s no way Andrew […]
GBBO week 2 – chocolate hazelnut (Nutella) viennese whirls
For the second week running my newborn son (well, he’s over a month old now – where has that time gone?!) has allowed me to 1) watch the Bake Off, 2) bake my week’s challenge, and 3) blog about the challenge. Now if only he’d allow me to have more than a 3 hour stretch […]
GBBO week 10 (the final) – classic British cake: Raspberry Eton Mess Victoria Sponge
Although I am sad the Bake Off is over for another year, it’s been hard work baking goodies each week … and then eating them. My stomach is looking decidedly large, and I am hoping that without the obligation to bake each week I’ll be able to shed a few pounds. It has been delicious […]
GBBO week 10 – chocolate: oaty millionaire’s shortbread chocolate tart
Mmmmmm, chocolate. One of my favourite things ever. However, I do often think a good cannot be improved by being baked – why mess with the perfectly portable and convenient bar of chocolate or do any more than pluck your favourites from an open box? Additionally, with Andrew not being a chocolate fan, there doesn’t […]
GBBO week 9 – patisserie: cream horns
Cream horns are the kind of thing I used to be given as a treat when I was little – a posh and indulgent cake from the local bakery. Sugar-encrusted puff pastry filled with whipped cream is a simple thing, but done well it’s a thing of beauty. Cream horns in themselves are not complicated: […]
GBBO challenge week 2 – Biscuits: oat shortbread Welsh dragon box with cat-shaped bourbon biscuits
I do love biscuits. My favourites, in no particular order, are chocolate coated malted milk biscuits, chocolate coated digestives, hob nobs, and boaster cookies. If we’re talking homemade then I love custard creams and shortbread (I don’t like shop-bought versions of these unless the shortbread is the proper buttery stuff), my nutella-stuffed chocolate chip cookies […]
GBBO challenge week 1 – Cake: Gin & Tonic madeira cake
I do love a bit of Bake Off, and Andrew even lets me watch it … although he only managed approximately 40 seconds of it before he stuck his earphones on. I genuinely don’t understand why he hates the show so much – it’s so relaxing to watch, and of course a great way to pick […]
GBBO challenge week 8 – doughnuts
Mmmmmmmm, doughnuts. Deep fried sweet dough, filled with jam and coated with sugar – delicious! Actually, I have never made doughnuts before – I always tend to shy away from anything which requires deep frying in case I accidentally set fire to myself or the kitchen – but I came across a recipe by Jo […]
GBBO 2014 challenge week 7 – eclairs
More apologies from me for getting behind on my Bake Off challenge for this year – seriously, the weeks are flying by, and I can’t believe it’s nearly Christmas! In fact, I actually made my week seven challenge last weekend, but I haven’t had time to write about it yet. These challenges are getting seriously […]