Week 2 - Rocky Road

Hello cake lovers! I must admit when I set myself this baking challenge last week, it was a bit of a spur of the moment thing. So it was really great to hear that some of you have tried last weeks recipe! So as long as you keep reading & baking, I'll keep going!

This weeks recipe is my take on an old American classic, Rocky Road. In my British version, I use what I consider to be the ultimate British biscuit, the HOB NOB! The oats give it a really great texture, I also like to add dried cranberries as the sharpness cuts through the sweet chocolate.

300g chocolate (milk, plain or a mixture of both)
150g butter
1 tbsp golden syrup
200g Hob Nobs
50g dried cranberries
40g mini marshmallows

1. Melt the chocolate, butter & syrup together in a bowl & mix well
2. Put the biscuits into a food bag & give them a bash with a wooden spoon. You want chunks, not crumbs, so don't take your stress out too much on the poor Hob Nobs!
3. Add the biscuit pieces, cranberries & marshmallows to the melted ingredients & mix well
4. Line a container approx 20cm x 20cm with baking paper. Pour the mixture into the container & smooth it out so it's evenly spread
5. Put the container into the fridge & leave for at least 3 hours. This is the hard part, waiting for it to set!
6. Use the baking paper to lift out the set mixture. With a sharp knife, cut it into squares, fingers, triangles, whatever shape takes your fancy....delicious.


Now, can anyone help me? Just before Christmas I bought a jar of lavender sugar from Waitrose, it looks & smells fantastic, but I haven't got the first idea what to do with it. Any suggestions gratefully received!

Hope you all have a good week, happy baking! Rebecca

Week 1 - Spiced Apple Muffins

So here goes, it's week 1 of my 52 week baking epic! The weather is miserable, so I thought I'd try & warm things up with Spiced Apple Muffins. I love applely cakes, but really can't be bothered to peel & core a pile of apples, so I've used a jar of apple sauce instead. This makes the mixture quite sweet so I've reduced the amount of sugar I'd usually use to make muffins. The apple sauce has given the muffins a really delicious taste & a moist texture. The oats on the top toast in the oven & give a really lovely crunch!

300g plain flour
100g soft brown sugar
1tsp baking powder
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
Good pinch of salt
1tsp mixed spice
250g apple sauce
50ml milk
50g unsalted butter (I think it's ok to use salted if that's what's in the fridge, just don't add the extra pinch)
1 beaten egg
Porridge oats to sprinkle

1. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt & spice.

2. In a separate bowl melt the butter, then mix in the apple sauce, milk & egg. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients & give it a good stir. It's best if you leave it a little lumpy!

3. Line a 12 hole bun tin with paper cases & divide the mixture evenly.

4. Add a sprinkling of oats to the top of each muffin, then bake at 200C/GM7 for 15-20 minutes until the tops are golden.

5. Leave them to rest in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out to cool. Or if you're impatient like me, wait approximately 3 minutes then take one out of the tin & enjoy whilst still warm!

Overall I'd say week 1, big tick :-) If anyone else tries this out, let me know what you think...that's assuming anyone is actually reading my baking ramblings!

Till next week...Rebecca