Coffee and Walnut Traybake Recipe

Coffee and walnut cake is a flavour combination made in heaven and for a coffee lover like me, it's win win!

A classic cake that shouldn't be messed around with too much and one, that for me, still has it's place in a coffee shop, regardless of how 'too cool for school' they are.

I've made this cake with instant espresso powder which can be found at the supermarket, the cake is made with a mixture of butter and margarine which produces a lighter sponge.

Rum, Raisin and Apple Crumble Muffins Recipe

I love a recipe that can be used as either a cake or pudding and these definitely fit the bill.  They are equally at home eaten as is, but preferably warmed through, or removed from the cases and served with cream or custard.

If you've got a very ripe banana in the fruit bowl along with a couple of eating apples then you're more or less sorted for this recipe which can easily be adapted to make it your own.

The crumble makes them quite sweet. but if I made them again I'd definitely halve the quantity of sugar in the crumble mix. There will also be crumble mix left over but it will freeze to use in another recipe.

Individual Raspberry Frangipane Tarts Recipe

I couldn't resist buying a punnet of huge raspberries after I spotted them on one of my favourite market stalls in Bridgnorth.  I know we should buy seasonal food but they said 'buy me' and so I did. These were some of the best raspberries I've ever eaten, in fact they were far superior to the ones I grow in my garden!

Egg Custard Tart Recipe

I've never been a fan of egg custard tart, homemade or bought.  It's just too eggy for me but hubby is the reverse and simply loves egg custard. The pastry is thicker than usual because a bought tart mostly has a thick layer of pastry and that's exactly what he wanted.

It's quite rare for me to make custard tart because you can buy a good one from M&S!

The custard is a recipe by the late and great Keith Floyd who says "This is the real thing"........ the pastry recipe is one I use time and again.

Three Layer Chocolate and Vanilla Sponge Cake

My grandchildren love a cake to look temptingly delicious and it has to be smothered in buttercream and decorated with chocolate/or sweets so they can tuck in and enjoy the moment.

There wasn't time to take a photograph of the cake before it was sliced but the topping is Green & Black's chocolate which I melted gently in the microwave, poured out onto a board and just before it sets too hard I used a dough scraper and chopped the chocolate into small shards.

Instant Pot Leek and Potato Soup

A delicious bowl of comforting home made soup with a thick slab of bread and butter takes some beating. Leek and potato soup is quick and simple to make and any that isn't eaten can be frozen in a strong freezer bag.

I made mine in the Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker) and once the soup had cooled down I whizzed it in the blender.  I purchased the pressure cooker just before last Christmas and as with all gadgets it's a bit of a learning curve, but so far so good!