I am really slacking on this baking thing. Have promised myself I will bake some soda bread tomorrow morning and then catch up with this week's GBBO tomorrow night.

Week 2 & already I am falling behind! Never mind, I finally got round to making some biscotti, following last week's biscuit challenges. I have never made them before and in fact would not previously have considered making them - but I will definitely be making them again! They were so quick and easy and whilst not regular in size and shape they tasted fantastic with a great crunch. Here they are:

They are pistachio and cranberry flavour - a lovely combination! There are only a few here as I had already eaten a couple & sent some home with my Mum before I got round to taking a photo.

So, I have finally gotten round to making my first bake. I decided to go with plain, old-fashioned lemon Madeira cake as I have never candied anything before so figured that could be my learning curve this week.
I have decided the carrying needs more work. Whilst the slices look good & I am pleased with the finished look of the cake, the rind is still tough & they are far too bitter to eat.
Anyway, here's a pic of the finished cake:

It tastes great, has a nice close texture and isn't too dry. It didn't quite crack on the top as a Madeira cake should, but this is a Mary Berry recipe so I'm blaming her! (Although it could be the fact that the kids insisted on helping)!

Have recorded last night's episode to watch this evening - looking forward to biscuit week!

Just caught up with the 1st episode of GBBO - my first bake will be a madeira cake. Unfortunately, neither the tech nor showstopper are a good choice as the walnut cake contains partially cooked eggs (which I can't eat as I'm pregnant) and the showstopper contains alcohol (same problem).
Gonna have a think about flavours....

I am off on my holibobs today - a week in rural Wales - so I won't be able to start on my challenge till next weekend. BT box is set to record and can't wait to watch the first episode of GBBO when I get back!

Crazy idea?

Inspired by the film, Julie and Julia, I had the idea that I too would like to set myself a cooking challenge. I am not so ambitious as to try to work my way through a classic French cookbook, but I am slightly obsessed by the Great British Bake Off and dream of one day starting my own baking business.
I really started thinking about this last year, and then chickened out. To do it this year may be totally mad, given that when GBBO first airs next week I will be 25 weeks pregnant with baby number 3 & the series will take me through to the late stage of my pregnancy! I am not one to make life easy for myself though, so am going to just go with it.
The plan is this; each week I will make either the technical challenge or the showstopper challenge from that week's show, sharing the recipe, photos of my (hopefully) successful bakes and some of my chit chat about my experience.
Fingers crossed, somebody out there will read and enjoy.