Christmas Cake

Christmas would not be complete without a Christmas Cake. Fact.

Everyone's Granny has their own recipe, yet more often than not people buy a shop bought cake. Even those members of my family who decorate their own cakes buy the fruitcake from a Supermarket first. Considering my Mum and Dad were famous for their Christmas Cakes before they had children, I couldn't understand why everyone avoided making their own. If my parents could make one every year without fail...why couldn't everyone else?

So, armed with a near-illegible copy of my parents old recipe, this year I decided to make my own cake.

I was pleasantly surprised with just how easy it is. Though...the proof is in the pudding as they say, and when you've never made a cake before, don't know what its consistency, colour, texture etc should be it's a scary thought offering it up to guests!

Fortunately for me it seems my first attempt was a success! (Though it was some what larger than anticipated and is now nicknamed the monster Christmas Cake.)

So, if I can do it, so can you! I urge all of you to make your own Christmas Cake this year! I have started my own tradition, so why not start your own too!!!

Here is my recipe, I am sure it will not fail you.

WARNING: This is highly boozy! (Though Delia assures me you can replace the brandy for orange juice for a more family friendly cake).

Caramel Cupcakes

After watching the first episode of The Great British Bake Off on demand at the weekend, I was overcome with the urge to bake! So, at 7 o clock in the evening, I got my sous chef (a.k.a Jonny my boyfriend) to join me in the kitchen to whip up a batch of cupcakes!

After a bit of rummaging in his mums cupboards (I'll replace the ingredients Mrs Moore I promise!) I stumbled across some soft brown sugar and decided to tweak my normal recipe and come up with something a little more grown up!

If you have a sweet tooth, these are the cakes for you! If you don't want your children to need fillings, I recommend keeping them all for yourselves!

Here's how you make these delicious cakes!