Delicious, easy recipes by Jay Wadams

Welcome to
Days of Jay

I'm Jay, cookbook author and food photographer.

Days of Jay is my website, where I share easy, delicious recipes for home cooking.

My recipes are packed with photos and useful tips and tricks to help you as you cook. They are all inspired by healthy, seasonal ingredients and my travels across the globe, especially in Germany, Italy, Cyprus, and Australasia.

Welcome to
Days of Jay

I'm Jay, cookbook author and food photographer. Days of Jay is my website, where I share easy, delicious recipes for home cooking.

My recipes are packed with photos and useful tips and tricks to help you as you cook. They are all inspired by healthy, seasonal ingredients and my travels across the globe, especially in Germany, Italy, Cyprus, and Australasia.

I am so excited to have you here, so let’s dive in and get cooking!


It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


Well, the countdown is until the year’s end, and Christmas is just around the corner. Check out some of my most popular Christmas and festive recipes below!

Biscotti or Cantucci are a deliciously crunchy Italian treat. My recipe for Almond and Apricot biscotti is so easy and perfect for the festive season. Serve with a strong espresso or a glass of Italian vin santo.

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A plate of Vanillekipferl or Vanilla crescent cookies surrounded by Christmas decorations, walnuts, clementines and a candle.

Possibly the tastiest of all German Christmas cookies, Vanillekipferl are, crumbly, buttery crescent-shaped cookies, scented with heavenly vanilla. Yum!

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Beetroot Cured Salmon Gravadlax

We’ve landed back in beautiful Munich to the clear and crisp skies and very chilly nights of late winter. It’s not quite spring yet, but the promise of it hangs in the air, brightening the mood and sending the locals outside to soak up every last bit of available sun. I’m rather enjoying the opportunity…

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Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies

With perfect spirals of chocolate and vanilla, my melt-in-the-mouth Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies are as good to look at as they are to eat. Made from crumbly, buttery shortbread they make a perfect and beautiful Christmas gift, though they are delicious any time of year!

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Cinnamon Star Bread Title Card showing star bread from two angles. Text overly 'Sweet Cinnamon Star Bread'.

One of my favourite Christmas bakes is Cinnamon Star Bread. With the delicious flavour of cinnamon rolls, this sweet bread recipe makes a beautiful loaf to feed a crowd. It is also actually much simpler than it looks, relying on clever cutting and twisting of the layers of dough to achieve the beautiful design.

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Mini Berry Pavlova title card.

My simple recipe for Mini Berry Pavlovas with lots of tips and techniques to make sure you get the perfect Christmas pavlova!

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With beautifully bright colours Cranberry Orange Cured Salmon is a wonderful dish to serve as a starter at your festive table. It’s so simple to make and home and delicious with a creamy horseradish sauce.

With beautifully bright colours Cranberry Cranberry Orange Cured Salmon is a wonderful dish to serve as a starter at your festive table. It’s so simple to make at home and so delicious with a creamy horseradish sauce.

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Apricot Glazed Christmas Ham title card.

Sweet and sticky with a touch of spice, my Apricot Glazed Christmas Ham recipe is sure to please the Christmas crowds. Made with a delicious apricot glaze, this ham is the tastiest, most stress-free Christmas main around.

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Christmas Pavlova Slice

My Christmas Pavlova slice is a delicious combination of ight and airy meringue, piled high with juicy berries. The perfect Christmas dessert!

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German Dominosteine Chocolates Title Card.

Dominosteine are a traditional German Christmas praline made from layered gingerbread, fruit jelly and marzipan, all coated in a luscious layer of rich dark chocolate. These delicious treats are fun to make at home and are so tasty!

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The Latest Recipes From My Kitchen

Discover my latest and greatest recipes below, or use the search function to find exactly what you’re looking for.


Easy German Apple Cake

Easy German Apple Cake

My easy German Apple Cake recipe is a tried and tested family favourite. Known as Versunkener Apfelkuchen (sunken apple cake) around these parts, this traditional cake is very popular and totally delicious.
The best oktoberfest recipes title card showing Oktoberfest roast Chicken and Bavarian pretzels.

The Best Oktoberfest Recipes

The tents have been hoisted, the rides have been built and the beer is chilled. That’s right, it’s Oktoberfest time in Munich! Check out these delicious Bavarian and German recipes for celebrating at home!
Pumpkin and Feta Galette.

Pumpkin and Feta Galette

With golden roasted squash, lightly caramelised onion and tangy feta, my Pumpkin and Feta Galette makes a fabulous fall lunch. This free-form tart is made by hand, so no mixers or special dishes are necessary.
With sweet, plump summer blueberries encased in a flaky all-butter pie pastry, my recipe for Fresh Blueberry Pie is always a winner. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for guaranteed smiles at the table.

Fresh Blueberry Pie

With sweet, plump summer blueberries encased in a flaky all-butter pie pastry, my recipe for Fresh Blueberry Pie is always a winner. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for guaranteed smiles at the table.
Blueberry Streusel Cake Title Card.

German Blueberry Streusel Cake

Packed with sweet summer blueberries, a hint of lemon and topped with gloriously buttery streusel, my German Blueberry Coffee Cake is incredibly delicious and simple to make. Perfect for a special occasion or just for snacking. Serve this sweet treat with plenty of whipped cream and a cup of coffee. Yum!
Blueberry Friands Title Card.

Blueberry Friands

Blueberry Friands are one of my all-time favourite tea-time treats. Made with ground almonds and fresh blueberries, these buttery little cakes are always a crowd-pleaser and seem to disappear faster than I can make them! This easy recipe is all made by hand, so no mixer is required.

Recipes By Meal Type


light-bites
Main Event
Sweet Things
cocktail hour

Marillenknödel – Austrian Apricot Dumplings
Wurstsalat (German Sausage Salad)
Easy Cherry Tomato Tart
Zwetschgendatschi (Bavarian Plum Tart)
Homemade Chocolate Popsicles

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?


Below are some of my most popular dinner recipes. Quick and easy with simple ingredients and big flavours.

German Potato Dumplings Title Card.
Italian Pork and Fennel Ragu title card.
Roasted Feta Stuffed Mushrooms
Salmon en Croûte Title Card.
Portobello Mushroom Burgers with salad and pickled red onions on a plate.

My FAvourite German Cake Recipes

While people often associate Germany with pretzels and beer, it’s really all about coffee and cake!

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Easy German Cake Recipes