Lemon Poppyseed Crullers
Sometimes all you need is a fresh doughnut, but sometimes you just don’t have the time or patience to make them. There’s making the dough, leaving it to rise, rolling, cutting and then leaving them to prove again. Here’s where the Cruller comes in: choux paste that’s fried to a deep golden before being dunked in a thin lemony glaze. Top with a sprinkling of poppyseeds and fresh lemon zest and they’re irresistible.
Espresso, Brown Butter & Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
I love banana bread as it is; but I love it even more when its warm from the oven, packed full of coffee and gooey chocolate chips. I’ve also chucked in some brown butter to add depth of flavour. The result is a beautifully golden loaf that’s humble in its rustic appearance with a light, moist slice. The recipe comes together quickly and easily without the need for a stand mixer. So if you have any spotty ripe bananas that need using; this recipes for you.
Crinkle Cut Crisp & Honeycomb Choc Chip Cookies
The wholesome cookie has had a salty makeover. I love a salty sweet treat and I loved the idea of honeycomb and crunchy, salty crinkle cut crisps together. The perfect conveyor for this? A chocolate chip cookie. These are soft in the middle and crisp around the edge. The honeycomb becomes chewy as it bakes in the oven and the crisps stay salty and crunchy. Pair all of that with some gooey dark chocolate and you have a bloody good cookie.
Millionaires Shortbread
These are a real nostalgic treat for me. I’ve eaten them growing up at birthday parties, alongside a warming coffee as an adult and now I’m showing you how to make them at home! As with most bakes, homemade just tastes better. Using good quality ingredients, especially chocolate, make a world of difference here. Although these do have quite a few components to build up the layers, they’re all quite easy recipes to follow. So knock up a batch for your next coffee date and enjoy!
Herby Red Pesto, Ricotta and Cheddar Babka
This deliciously savoury loaf is made up of buttery soft brioche layered with a mixture of red pesto, ricotta, rosemary, cheese and black pepper. Feel free to use any cheese that you have leftover from the festive season. Regardless of what cheese I’m using, I always like to add in a bit of parmesan to amp up the flavour.
Retro Trifle
I can’t think of many other things as inviting as massive bowl of Trifle. It’s just itching to have a whopping great spoon dug into all those layers. It’s definitely one for a large gathering. It may seem like a lot of effort to make this delicious dessert from scratch but trust me, it’s worth it (especially as it’s spread over 2 days.) Feel free to have some freedom with the flavours and choose whichever berries are in season!