What could be better than the smell of home baked bread coming from the oven, or tucking-into freshly made cookies or chocolate brownies. Baking is such an enjoyable and comforting activity in which you can easily involve the children - children love to taking part, never mind the mess, have fun together enjoying these special moments.

What’s more your family or guests will really appreciate your home-baked creations whether bread, cakes or cookies.

We have a selection of some of our favourite baking recipes, easy chocolate cake or a tray of cupcakes, which are sure to impress un-announced guests, as they make the call.

Winter warmers

Now that we have filled our tummies with Christmas delights, time has come to enjoy a little lighter food.

Many people start of the year on a diet or with great intentions – we just think a little sensible eating may provide a nice alternative from the heavy food overload most of us have endured over Christmas. So take a look here for some inspiring and healthy winter warmers, yummy soups, tasty home baked rolls, hearty beef stew and a tasty banana loaf…

• Easy vegetable soup
• Thai Tom Yum Soup
• Tasty white bread rolls/baguettes
• Wholesome beef stew
• Banana bread
• Flapjack

Valentine

• Heart shaped brownie for Valentines
• Cupcakes with heart sprinkles (optional butter cream)

Chocolate box goodies

Prepare a box of home made chocolate goodies; try our recipes for irresistible chocolate truffles and chocolate coated crystallised ginger.

• Irresistible chocolate truffles
• Chocolate dipped crystallised ginger

Other of our tried and tested recipes to use for those all important celebrations: birthdays, christenings, weddings etc. etc. Or perhaps if you just feel like baking a special treat for afternoon tea or to make your children scream with excitement, just because you have made their favourite cake.

• Star cookies
• Brownies
• Cup cakes with Butter cream Icing
• Meringues
• Royal Icing

Birthday cakes/ Cakes for celebrations

We love to make/create special layer-cakes (lag-kage) for birthday’s or any kind of celebrations - The base is a classic Victoria sponge, divided in two or three, with layers of whipping cream, a choice of fruit. A favourite of ours is fresh strawberry mixed into the cream, smeared in between the layers of the sponge, perhaps adding a thin layer of strawberry jam or a little custard to the cream - what ever takes your fancy. Or if you are a chocolate fan, use our recipe for easy chocolate cake, divide in half and smear on a layer of whipped double cream with strawberries and a chocolate icing on top, using fresh whole strawberries to decorate.

• Victoria sponge
• Easy scrummy chocolate cake
• Home made custard