A Cake That Sort-Of Failed

This is the proof of a bad oven.. a cake that doesn't cook properly on the sides, and a middle that is close to burnt. When I have a tray of cookies or buns or similar the ones at the back of the oven cooks quicker than the ones at the front.. Our oven isn't very old so it's even more dissapointing. I know a lot of people have the same problem, and it is a shame. I think the only answer to this might be "the Aga"....!

Was still a yummy Tosca cake :-)

Bread-making Saturday

The best way to spend a rainy Saturday when the husband is at work and you have the house to yourself - baking! I bought a big pack of yeast in the morning and then used up most of the baking ingredients in my baking cupboard.. I started with making 3 new types of bread I've not made before - I am making my way through 2 baking/cookery books my grandmother sent me from Sweden and whilst doing it the smells bring back lovely memories from my childhood. I managed to make a white loaf, a batch of sesame seed buns and some yummy focaccia with rosemary and sundried tomatoes. The foccacia turned out to be the best of the day - maybe the best bread I have ever made.. After "sampling" I hade to put it away in the freezer to stop myself from eating it all!

Plain white loaf

Sesame seed buns - yum!

Focaccia - heavenly and calorific!

Valentines Day buns!

I bought this silicone baking tin for making heart shaped treats the other day, it works really well. I had never used anything like it before but was lured in to try it since I love hearts and just couldn't resist. You don't need to butter it and nothing sticks - I will go back and buy some more shapes now, more fun baking to be done! I want to make something nice and yummy for Valentines day in this so I tried a chocolate recipe today and they were scrummy!

Sprinkled with icing sugar and ready to be enjoyed!