That time of year comes & goes so fast

Christmas is over and it was quiet this year.  As far a baking goes I made a mincemeat streusel and a banana & coconut cake containing mashed bananas and topped with coconut cream cheese icing...yum yum yum.  The streusel was made with homemade mincemeat which had been 'brewing' in a preserving jar for the past year!


Happy New Year to everyone...

AUTUMN SEEMS TO HAVE GONE....

I had a glut of quinces this year and made a tarte tatin (not that good so that one's off the list); 8 jars of quince jam and a few apple & quince streusel cakes..yum yum!


The Blakeney U3A walkers popped in yesterday for tea & cakes.  Well, I say popped in - they had booked but for 10 only and 23 turned up.  I smiled a lot and raced around finding mugs and things.  The kettle went into overdrive and all the struesel cake was eaten.  I had also made a plum pie and a grown up chocolate refrigerator slab cake and 90% of that went.  But I'm glad a bit was left cos I wanted to taste it - oh boy heaven or wot...!!!  Will definitely be making that one again.


The plum pie wasn't touched so I'll probably make a jug of custard and demolish some of it myself.  Well, mustn't waste it.

Autumn is now well on its way...

I keep looking at the quince tree in the back garden loaded with fruit, but they won't be ready for cooking until the middle to the end of next month.  In the meantiime I will have to contend with pears and making a pear and cardamon franzipan tart.

Apple of Gold

Also known as the fruit of love, I am awaiting the ripening of this glorious fruit - the quince.  To date there are 26 on my tree gradually bending the boughs under their weight.  When ripe this golden fruit gives off a very delicate aroma and when cooked turns a translucent deep pink.  I have a recipe for a quince & rosewater tart tatin that will be tried out on the first fall of my quinces next month.

the pie!!

As promised the pie in all its glory....

fruit from the garden

Baking with ingredients from free garden goodies is a delight - today it's plum & apple pie.  When it's ready will let you all see the finished result...unfortunately you won't be able to taste or smell the delicious aromas unless you stop by for tea & cakes that is!

...a new cake in the repertoire

If you like chocolate then I've just added a chocoholic's delight to my baking repertoire.  It was taken up by 2 children yesterday afternoon and the plates were completely empty at the end...they say the most honest critics are children so this cake is definitely staying.


My 'signature' cake is the streusel because it can be made with seasonal fruits for the best part of the year and come Christmas I fill it with homemade mincemeat; deliciously rich!