Recipes

They’re hideously healthy, easy, quick and cheap; perfect for everything from picnics to posh appetisers.

A tarte tatin is like an upside-down cake, but using puff pastry instead of cake mix. And the title does not lie: when you try this tart, you’ll be hit by two flavours in abundance: pear and vanilla.

The star of this recipe is undoubtedly the gingerbread itself. Gingerbread is a really simple biscuit to make, and this recipe is the perfect compromise between time, simplicity and taste.

A blondie, for those unfamiliar with the term, is a brownie that’s made with white chocolate.

This is one of the first recipes to give me perfect cookies, every time.

This recipe was actually conceived for my friend Paul’s birthday – birthday cake is so very common, and with the candles burning above it this tart looks particularly special.

This recipe was inspired by a tart I was recently served at a dinner party. Or rather, it was called a tart but was actually a delicious brioche-style bread dough with lots of eggs and butter.

There’s something quite special about baking a ‘sandwich’ style cake – it feels like an occasion. Although this might seem to have a few more ingredients than your standard Victoria sponge, it’s really just as easy.

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best, and they don’t get much more foolproof or tasty than these nutty crunches. Even the most accident-prone baker couldn’t fail to nail these.

As cookies go, this is a pretty solid recipe. It’s for that American, gooey, chewy sort of slab that’s just a bit too easy finish.

Add your own twist to recipe by adding extra tasty ingredients. A few I’ve tried and can heartily recommend involve finely chopped bacon, pancetta and, of course, a good grating of cheddar cheese on top. Go wild.

This recipe can make use of any plums, ripe or unripe, meaning you can take advantage of the best supermarket deals. Because they can be quite acidic, they do require a few wee changes to a standard muffin recipe.