Category Archives: Desserts, cakes and biscuits

Honey and Hazelnut Cake

Posted on by
25

Image of gifts from JoeRecipes, ‘Pam The Jam’ Corbyn once said to me on Twitter, are for sharing. So are ingredients. I recently sent a pot of Norfolk saffron to an American Facebook friend (yes, I fritter away far too much time on social media) and he responded with typical generosity.

Joe Pettit and his husband Andrew Fink run Clean Bite Catering in Washington state, producing local and seasonal food for clients around Seattle and South Sound, so they know their onions. And hazelnuts and honey.

Joe sent me a bag of raw Oregon hazelnuts, Continue reading →

Mini Victoria Sandwiches

Posted on by
6

Image of passionfruit and lemon curdI treated myself to a new cake tin the other day. I don’t actually make cakes all that often (which is usually obvious from their clunky look) but I can’t resist shiny bits of kitchen kit.

Equally, I rarely buy jams and preserves because I make my own, but I have fallen in love with Scarlett and Mustard‘s tangy and more-ish Passionfruit and Lemon Curd.

The two came together in this recipe, Continue reading →

Autumn Fruit Compote

Posted on by
14

I shall probably be drummed out of the food bloggers’ club for saying this, but I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. I mostly make cakes and desserts as presents and when we have guests. Unless it’s tarte au citron, I could eat my own body weight in that.

But I do enjoy fresh fruit and compotes like this: Continue reading →

Jewelled Berry Tartlets

Posted on by
4

Image of old wedding photos

If it wasn’t for Sarah, I wouldn’t be married to Him Outdoors. She’s one of my oldest friends and in a rash moment nearly 20 years ago she invited me to a house party where I was introduced to one of her brothers. Our eyes met over a drain he was digging in their father’s garden and the rest, dear reader, is history. (I should say the digging wasn’t part of the festivities, it preceded them. There was a long queue for the bathroom that day.)

She was telling me about another party she threw recently, the sort where people drift in and out over many hours, often with their kids in tow. The food needed to appeal to all generations, Continue reading →

Rhubarb and Orange Friands

Posted on by
13

I’m a pushover for any cake that contains ground almonds and if fruit is involved too, I’m a goner. Friands are best eaten on the day they’re made but I think you’ll find that isn’t a problem. They vanish faster than you can say rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb. (Yes, yes, I know rhubarb isn’t technically a fruit.)

I made these for a dessert but they’re equally good for elevenses, or threeses or fourses if you’re having an afternoon cuppa. Continue reading →

Rhubarb and Pomegranate Jelly

Posted on by
4

Image of rhubarbThis is English jelly, the wibbly sort, not American jam/jelly. I was at a lunch recently where an apple jelly was part of the dessert and it was delicious, tart like a Granny Smith and with just the right amount of tremulous wobbliness.

It occurred to me that if you made it with rhubarb instead, you’d get a double return because after straining off the juice for the jelly, you could use the rhubarb to make a fool. If you’re feeling particularly profligate you could even serve the two together.  Continue reading →