Sweet Scone Recipes

A friend phones and asks if she can pop in to see you; she says she’ll be with you in half an hour. Your cookie jar is empty, you don’t have time to nip to the shop but you know she’ll be expecting something with her coffee. The quick and …

Read more

Savoury Scones

Mention scones and most people will think of jam and cream, but the basic dough is very versatile and can be used for a variety of savoury treats as well. Simple Scones 225g (8oz) self-raising flour Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 50g (2oz) margarine 150ml (5fl oz) milk …

Read more

Crumpets, Pikelets and English Muffins

Crumpets, pikelets, Scotch pancakes and English muffins: all traditional British tea-time treats but what’s the difference? That’s a good question! They’re all cooked on a griddle or bakestone (a heavy-based frying-pan can be used as an alternative) but crumpets and muffins are both yeast-based. To make crumpets, you need egg …

Read more

American Muffins

American-style muffins have seen an increase in popularity over the last few years, especially with the spread of the large coffee chains throughout the country. They have a distinctive shape – rather mushroom-like – and are usually a little less sweet than more traditional small cakes. They’re very easy and …

Read more

History of Scones and Griddle Cakes

Scones, crumpets and muffins are often grouped together because originally they were all cooked on a griddle or bakestone. Very few homes had any form of oven until the nineteenth century and, even today, in many parts of the world ovens are rare. Crumpets Records suggest that crumpets – or …

Read more

Tasty Shortbread Variations

Shortbread: a delicious, butter-crumble biscuit that has provided comfort on many occasions! It’s too good to be shared at Christmas alone, so why not try a few variations throughout the year? (That way it can really be appreciated.) Chunky Shortbread, thin wafers, traditional shapes all have their own place and …

Read more

How to Make Viennese Shortbread

We haven’t been able to find out why this particular type of shortbread biscuit is called Viennese: there is no obvious Austrian connection. While both Scottish and Viennese shortbread are made from flour, butter and sugar, there are a couple of distinct differences, which result in very different products. For …

Read more

Baking Nutty Cookies

We’ve gone nuts for you! Whether you prefer the crunchy smoothness of peanut butter or the delicious sweetness of caramelised pecans, we’ve a Cookie Recipe that’s just right. We take hazelnuts and add their natural partner, chocolate, and combine those traditional favourites, coffee and walnuts to make cookies that won’t …

Read more

Wartime Cake Baking

In today’s society, for most of us, food is varied and plentiful – too plentiful some might say judging by the increasing levels of obesity amongst the British population. Just by popping into our local supermarket we can choose from hundreds of ready-made meals from countries all over the world, …

Read more

More Cakes from the North of England

The counties at the northernmost edge of England may have changed their names over the years but they’ve retained their traditions, including that for good food using simple and local produce. Cumbria Damsons thrive in the Lyth and Winster Valleys in Cumbria despite the sometimes harsh weather conditions that the …

Read more

Cake Baker