The Essence of Granola

Granola has been a recent discovery for me.

I am extremely happy about this.

Secondhand Book Jackpot

I went on holiday with my family - hence my brief silence.

The Quest For Egglessness

So... I've been away a while.

I could spend a whole post talking about my reasons and the activities of the last eleven months. But it wouldn't be very interesting or relevant, so I'm not going to bother. I'm here now, and I hope to get back into blogging more consistently.

White and Dark Chocolate Layered Cake

This is it. I was commissioned for my aunt's 60th birthday, and this is The Birthday Cake.

And it would be completely honest to say this is my best-looking baking achievement of all time.

The Essence of Doughnuts

I've been psyching myself up to make doughnuts for a while.

As often happens, it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be.

The Essence of Rough Puff Pastry

This post is going to be a bit more of a tutorial, rather than an 'essence'. The ratio is dead simple, but in this case, it's the method that's the tricky part. I've got lots of lovely pictures of my technique and the appetising results, so it shouldn't be too boring.

Honey and Maple Syrup Cake with Coffee Frosting

I have a new cake tin. This is cause for celebration!

The Essence of MacarOOns

It seems there's a bit of confusion when it comes to macaroons and their cousins. From where I stand, it seems there are two things. One of them looks like a little pile of dessicated coconut, usually dipped or drizzled in chocolate. That's what I'm making.

The other one looks like a fluorescent hamburger made of meringue. That is not what I'm making.

The Essence of Cheesecake

Cheesecake makes me slightly nervous, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

I've always been a bit suspicious of it, purely because of the whole 'cheese...cake' thing. Even from the time before I knew it was actually made of cheese.

Banana Quick Bread

I've titled this 'quick bread' in the hope that no-one will notice it's yet another muffin adaptation. But I felt a bit dishonest, so I'm confessing. I promise I'm going to be getting on with some new original things soon.

Chocolate Cupcakes

These cupcakes aren't anything particularly special.

They were really nice and everything, but they're not exactly difficult, or spectacular, or unusual.

They're just cupcakes.

The Essence of Flapjacks... Maybe?

Flapjacks are tricky. I wasn't sure I'd even be able to do an 'essence' for them.

Because they aren't flour-based, the whole ratio thing is just a lot less important.

Breakfast Muffins

I make a lot of muffins. I know. They're by far my most customised and overused standard ratio. But it's only because they're so easy, and so delicious, and generally great!

Carrot Cake

It was my Mum's birthday this week-

Yes, yes. I'm starting to wish I'd never invented the tradition of putting that picture on every birthday post, but I can't very well stop now.

The Essence of Rice Pudding

Last week, we found a tin of rice pudding in the back of our kitchen cupboard. Its best before date was 2005.

Yes, 2005. And tins last a long time before their best before date, too. It could well have been ten years old.

The Essence of Choux Pastry

So. It's exam season.

The Biscuit Inquisitions: Part 1

OK, you're probably as bored as I am of my biscuit posts reappearing and disappearing . You may have noticed my recent biscuit post is gone again.

The trouble is, I still can't really decide where to put the borderline of the definition of 'biscuit'.

Challah

Here's an interesting fact about me: half my ancestors are Jewish. My maternal grandparents, and a big chunk of my family on that side.

Cheese and Onion Muffins

These muffins had a rather sinister beginning.

They actually started life as a cruel and malicious ploy to trick my friend.

But let me explain, it's not quite as bad as all that.

Chocolate and Spice Courgette Cake

I'm sorry to do this to you again. I really don't want to have to. It's just - it was my brother's birthday last week.

I do have a cake for you, which will hopefully make up for it. A courgette cake!