Sweet Things

Kiss me quick, I’m Irish – well, one-sixteenth or so at least! Just a quick Cocktail Hour recipe today in honour of Saint Patrick’s Day, that famous drink from the Emerald Isle and much-beloved tipple of my mother, Irish Cream.  Homemade Irish Cream couldn’t be easier to make, tastes streets ahead of the commercial stuff, […]

It’s Valentine’s Day, the sun is shining and the florists are doing a roaring trade. Despite all the commercial corniness, I think the world needs a little more love and a bit of cheering up, so if we need the excuse of a particular day to spoil our partners, give some gifts and share a […]

I am still working my way through the mass of mangoes that I bought from the markets the other day, (I know, life is hard) and as the summer swelters on I couldn’t resist making a few of my favourite sweet treats: Mango Vanilla Nice Blocks. Even though I love this season, I always spend […]

While I may have summer on my mind, Bavaria is having a gloriously sunny, mild autumn, the bright blue skies a beautiful contrast to the falling leaves outside. If you’ve been following along, you‘ll know that Sunday is my favourite day for baking, especially when there is a little chill in the air. The shops […]

I have been watching the news from Australia with a bit of a heavy heart – due to industrial sabotage the strawberry growing community has been devastated. For those who haven’t been following, someone, or someones unknown has/have been hiding needles inside fresh strawberries with over 100 cases so far across the whole continent.  While […]

Red Currant Crumble Cakes (Johannisbeer Streusaltaler) are a long-standing German bakery favourite. Made from soft, enriched yeast dough and topped with a generous amount of tart red currants and masses of buttery streusel, these sweet treats are completely addictive!

Yesterday it poured with rain. All day. I’m not complaining, as these are my favourite days to hang out in the kitchen, put some jazz on the stereo, (good, vocal jazz, think Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Lena Horne), tie on my apron and get to baking. What could be more perfect on a dark […]

We are back in Munich and summer is in the air. The sun is shining, the chestnut trees are verdantly green, and of course, the beer gardens are in full swing. Munich is such a summer city, with most days hot and clear, followed by an evening thunderstorm to wash away the humidity. I am […]

Every baker needs a never fail, guaranteed to impress, showstopper, easy chocolate cake recipe in their baking arsenal. Let me tell you, this is that cake. Invented in the early 20th century by Hershey’s, this is one of those recipes that has been tried and tested and handed down through the generations. It never fails […]

Glorious blue skies, hot pink bougainvillea, cicadas singing in the trees and the mercury is at 40°C. This is the time of year to be up early, while the day is still cool, before the heat sends us in search of the coolest rooms in the house. We eat simply at this time of year, […]

A slow lazy autumn Sunday, coffee and papers in bed, followed by a relaxed breakfast. Billie Holiday is singing on the stereo, there is a loaf of bread in the oven, and puttering away on the stove is a big pot of Plum and Walnut Jam, the concentrated plummy goodness filling the air with a […]

Beautiful autumn continues here in Bavaria, this entire week has been cool, but beautifully clear and sunny – perfect for all the people celebrating the Oktoberfest on the Wiesn. This morning has dawned grey and cool, which is the ideal kind of day to spend in the kitchen thinking about warming autumnal flavours and writing with […]

Wow. July has just flown past! We have been so busy I’ve hardly had time to think – but I’m not complaining. We had a glorious trip to Zürich to see beautiful Lily and her wonderful mother Marianne, who spoiled us rotten as well as giving up loads of her time to show us around […]

I was working in a small village out of Munich the other day, and when I went out to buy lunch at the local bakery I stopped dead in my tracks. There, sitting in the counter window was such a glorious looking, braided bread, staring up at me, begging to be bought and eaten. One […]