Old-Fashioned Fragrant Banana Bread

Who doesn't start their baking career with a banana bread recipe? It is a recipe most of us begin with and always return back to, especially when there are bananas going ripe in the fruit bowl. There are so many different banana bread recipes and I like to try different kinds, but the recipes I love the best are those with choc chips and walnuts. It is the perfect marriage, banana, chocolate and walnuts, can't get better than that. This Banana Bread I have made today is a wonderful example of all those flavours together.

This morning I had the challenge of finding a recipe with 2 eggs in the ingredients list, (only had 2 eggs left in the fridge). I came across this recipe in my latest new book, A Passion for Baking by Marcy Goldman and thought Bingo!! The recipe itself is very simple, easy and takes no time at all to prepare and into the oven to bake. I have a feeling this won't last long, it's so moist and fluffy, and the flavours, well need I say more!

Swirled Brownies

This weekend I received Brownies to Die For, one of a "few" books I have purchased in my latest amazon spree. The book is a truly amazing collection of the most tasteful brownie recipes. Many recipes call for a basic brownie to start with, and then follow with fantastic variations. I think this book is a worthwhile addition to the library of any brownieholic.

I decided to put my new book to work and make up a batch of brownies for my son (who complained all weekend that I had made those Snow-Flecked Brownies for my hubby's badminton team and not for him), so being a typical mother and not wanting to dissapoint, I have made up a batch of Swirled Brownies especially for him and of course hubby, can't forget him! These brownies are a lighter variation to your dark dense brownies. They are swirled with sour cream to create that marble effect. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee or just general snacking.

Steamed Toffee Apple Pudding~The Great British Pudding Challenge

I was thrilled when Rosie from Rosie Bakes a Peace of Cake decided to put this tried and trusted recipe of mine as part of this month's Great British Pudding Challenge and I couldn't wait to make it again. So I thought there was no better day for this than Sunday and serve it as pud after our Cottage Pie, pure winter warming food. This pudding is wonderfully delish with the combo of apples and toffee. The sponge is so light, syrupy and moist and served with custard this is just the perfect end to your Sunday meal! I hope everyone who joins this month's challenge will also find this pudding gorgeous.

Snow-Flecked Brownies

My hubby came home the other day and informed me that he had been elected to bring and supply the cakes for the next home badminton match (he plays for a team in Surrey). The team having sampled the Carrot Cake I made for one of their first matches immediately rejected all cake volunteers in preference of hubby bringing one of my cakes, with the unanimous decision that it should be chocolate based. So chocolate they are getting! These brownies are a heavenly treat, with their gooey chocolate centre, studded with chunks of white chocolate and the final touch, a light dusting of icing sugar.

Blueberry and Almond Muffins

It’s Friday and what better way to begin the weekend than making up a batch of baked treats to have for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday (if they last that long!) I think there is nothing more welcoming than home-made blueberry muffins; they are a light and healthy treat for breakfast, lunch or snack time. I had some lovely organic blueberries in the fridge and decided to try out a new recipe I’ve had my eye on from Rachel Allen’s Food For Living cookbook. The recipe has a lovely combination of ground almonds in the mixture and chopped almonds scattered on the top, a delicious alternative to your average blueberry muffins. Have a great weekend everyone ;o)

Big-Time Peanut Butter Cookies

My garden on this wet, windy and miserable day!

It’s a miserable wet windy day today and I tend to like staying home on days like today and doing what I enjoy best, baking! So what better way to spend a dreary day than in the kitchen baking up some treats for the family. My boys love anything with peanut butter, especially baked goodies. I decided to try something new and make up these cookies from my new book The Weekend Baker (I love this book). There is no butter in this recipe and the only fat is the peanut butter, which turns the cookie creamy and moist. They are so easy and super fast to make up, just add all the ingredients into your mixer until the dough comes together, shape into balls, flatten with a fork and into the oven they go. You can use smooth PB or crunchy PB, if you want a bit of crunch.

Recipe for Big-Time Peanut Butter Cookies

Meme (5 facts about me)

Madison my boy!

Coco my little princess!

I've been tagged by Rosie (Rosie bakes a peace of cake) to do a 5 facts about me:

1: I'm the oldest of 4 girls, yes my dad went grey early!

2: I'm bilingual and speak fluent spanish. Both my parents are from Spain.

3: I'm a cat lover and have 2 beautiful cats, Madison and Coco and they are spoilt rotten.

4: I love cosmetics, favorite brands are Chanel, MAC and Nars. I have A LOT of cosmetics and could open my own counter!

5: I would say my best feature are my big blue eyes and long eye lashes!

Above are pics of my 2 kitties ;o)

Uncomplicated Fruit-Topped Yellow Cake

I really love the name of this cake, which is why it caught my eye. The reason why it’s called “uncomplicated”? Well you won’t come across an easier cake to make up on days when time is not on your side or you just want effortlessness. This is a very moist cake which can be topped with every type of fruit, the choice is yours! This cake would be gorgeous topped with apricots when they come into season in the summer. I have gone for the apple topping, and for me apples are the perfect fruit in winter. This cake can easily be doubled up as a dessert and served with lashings of hot custard, just the thing on a cold winter’s day!


This recipe is from, The Weekend Baker by Abigail Johnson Dodge. A must have in every cookbook addicts collection!

Pasta au Gratin

Pasta plays a big weekly repertoire in our home and this dish is one of many favorites, it is quick, easy and full of wonderful flavors’, what more could you ask for? This recipe comes courtesy of Nigella Lawson, which she wrote for the New York Times. I have passed this recipe on to friends and family and they all come back with great feedback. I am positive that any pasta lover would find this recipe heaven on a plate.

Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bakes

While browsing Amazon last week (one of my favorite past-times), I came across and bought this great book called No-Bake Cookies by Camilla V.Saulsbury, more than 150 fun, easy and delicious recipes for cookies, bars and other treats that are made without baking! I love baking but the idea of making cookies and other wonderful treats without having to turn the oven on is an attractive offer for times when you want ease and simplicity. These Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bakes are very popular and if you’ve never made no-bake cookies I would highly recommend you start off with these!

Tasty treats in no time at all ;o)

Carbonnade of Beef with Double Potato Topping

During the winter months I think there is nothing more welcoming than a good hearty stew or casserole to hit that comfort spot. The real beauty of casseroles is how easy they are to make. All you need to do is combine the prepared ingredients in a casserole dish, then cover and place in the oven to cook. For me Sunday's is the perfect day for this, when all you want is to laze about and look forward to a plate of winter comfort food. As you know I am working my way through various recipes from Secrets from a Country Kitchen cookbook for the month of January and this wonderful recipe is from the book. I have made this dish before and it's been a success every time. "Carbonnade" means a casserole of beef cooked in beer and the double topping is a combination of sweet potato and normal potatoes, yummy!

Warm Cinnamon-Spiced Blueberry Cake

It’s a glorious sunny winters day here in Surrey and nothing beats getting up early and baking your family a cake to wake up to. So this morning I did just that. I had spotted the perfect cake for just an occasion, Warm Cinnamon-Spiced Blueberry Cake from my new book, The Weekend Baker by Abigail Johnson Dodge. In this easy but wonderful recipe the blueberry topping is added partway through the baking so that some of it can sink into the cake to provide that delicious moist filling. My boys were welcomed with that beautiful cinnamon aroma when they awoke and it was the perfect start to our Sunday.

Auntie Jill's Chocolate and Orange Cake

I can only describe this cake as a choc/orange lover’s idea of heaven. If you love Terry's Chocolate Orange then this cake will blow you away. This cake is really moist because of the evaporated milk and the icing also has evaporated milk, making it really dreamy and unlike any icing you’ve tasted. I’ve made this cake today for my son who absolutely adores this and put a request in for his favorite cake. It normally doesn’t last long from the moment it’s baked, assembled and the first bite is taken! The recipe comes courtesy of Secrets of a Country Kitchen cookbook.