Bread & Cake recipes

This recipe makes about 18 cupcakes. You can drizzle extra melted chocolate on at the end if you like (I got a bit carried away for the photograph!) but they are delicious without.

Preheat oven to 180C. Line a bun tin with cases.

Using an electric hand whisk or mixer, beat together the butter, sugar, flour, baking powder, eggs and vanilla.

Stir in the almonds and chocolate then gently fold in the raspberries, trying not to break them up too much.

Place 12 muffin cases in a muffin tin and Preheat oven to 170C. Chop the chocolate into rough chunks. Sieve the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt into a large bowl.

These are lovely and light and with all their warming spices have a delicious Christmassy flavour. Line a cupcake tin with paper cases. This recipe makes 12-16 depending on the size of the cases. Preheat the oven to 180C.

This cake was a happy accident when I was thinking what to do with leftover creme fraiche and frozen berries. Result! Preheat oven to 180C. Grease and line a 22cm springform cake tin with baking parchment.

In a jug, whisk the eggs with the vanilla, butter and milk. Add the mashed banana and mix well. Add these wet ingredients to the dry ingredients in the bowl. Don't overmix, it should still look lumpy.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt. Gently mix in berries. With a rubber spoon or spatula, fold wet ingredients into dry. Be careful not to overmix as this will make the muffins tough.

Grill the bread on both sides until lightly toasted. Rub each slice on one side with garlic and then drizzle with olive oil. Set aside.

Grill the bread slices on both sides - you can use your grill or a griddle pan.
Once grilled, lightly rub one side with the peeled garlic. Season and drizzle with olive oil.
The bruschetta are now ready for the toppings.
Asparagus & prosciutto - Boil asparagus until tender. While still warm, season and toss with olive oil and red wine vinegar. Add rocket leaves, mix and then put on the bruschetta with slices of prosciutto.