RAW Baking

You heard me correctly - this is not a triple but quadruple chocolate cake made for my colleague, Keith who was retiring. This loaf cake had a chocolate sponge with chunky choc chips, topped with chocolate icing and chocolate flakes. 😍  It got the thumbs up from my work colleagues, so I'm happy!

Here is this year's birthday cake for my mum. A rich coffee cake - full of flavour with a moist sponge. I was a bit worried about getting the cake out of the ring cake tin but with a bit of patience, it came out in one piece! Phew.   

A few mince pies with a cup of tea. Why not, it's Christmas afterall! 

I love the annual ritual of making my  Christmas cake. 🎄 I soak the fruit in alcohol overnight before baking it in the oven. I also add a few tipples of brandy into the cake itself before adding the layer of marzipan and royal icing. 😋   

After steaming the puds for several hours in a slow cooker, the puddings are ready. I wrap them up ready to be collected by friends and family.  The smell of Xmas puds cooking in the kitchen is of brandy and fruit. It's the smell of Xmas!!  

Today is Stir Up Sunday. The last Sunday before Advent.  I made my xmas puddings today, after soaking the fruit is brandy overnight. They are now steaming away in the slow cooker for several hours. This process makes them very moist and full of flavour. Stir-up Sunday dates back to Victorian times, when cooks prepared the Christmas pudding by stirring the mixture and adding silver coins as good luck token!