Mince pie pin wheels and a festive film!

Had a rare day off today to do some final Christmas shopping, mainly the big food shop!

The weather was awful, I would much rather it be cold than throwing it down with rain.
My new favourite drink in the whole world to get warm is Chai Latte! I usually spend far too much in Starbucks on these. So glad I discovered this instant powder so I can enjoy them at home snuggled up on the sofa.

Personally, I don’t think there is much better than snuggling up on the sofa with a Christmas movie, a cup of tea and mince pie. Throw in a cute kitty and I’m in heaven!

When I have time I love to get baking. I much prefer homemade mince pies to shop bought because you get that fresh baked smell wafting wafting through the house. If you want to make some classy looking pin wheels in a hurry. All you need to do is cut puff pastry sheets into 10cm squares cutting slits from the centre into each corner. Place a tablespoon of mincemeat into the centre. I used a lovely cranberry and port one. Fold alternate corners into the centre and top with a star. After 20-25 mins in the oven you can sit on the sofa and watch your favourite festive film!

This was my movie of choice!

My top 5 Christmas movies.

1 – Elf
2 – Muppet’s Christmas Carol
3 – Love Actually
4 – Home Alone
5 – The Holiday

What is your favourite Christmas movie?

Remember, remember…

It’s Bonfire night!

One of my favourite nights of the year! I love getting wrapped up warm and standing by the fire.

This year I went to my parent’s house for some food and fireworks.

We enjoyed a fantastic BBQ and mushy peas. I’ve been told mushy peas with mint sauce is a Nottingham tradition?

It was great toasting marshmallows on the fire and making s’mores! The mallow goes gooey and melts the choccy on the digestives. Delicious!

One of my favourite bonfire traditions is Yorkshire Parkin! The cake is sweet, sticky and tasty!

I used http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1751649/yorkshire-parkin recipe. I love the smell of the spices and syrups when I’m making this!

Whatever you’re doing this bonfire night, stay safe and have lots of fun!

I love brownies!

I have been asked a lot recently what my favourite thing to bake (and more importantly eat) is. It’s a question I have pondered over for some time now. I think it is very difficult to beat a good cupcake. Baking a cupcake then adding the buttercream in a perfect swirl and topping with sprinkled or a nice sugar craft butterfly is pure heaven, however recently I have had a change of heart….

The humble brownie. I’ve baked many recipes trying to find the perfect one and I have finally found Lorraine Pascale’s recipe to be my firm favourite http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/cookies_and_cream_fudge_48648

The secret is the large quantities of egg. Always be wary of recipes with lots of flour and cocoa as a good brownie should mainly be chocolate. They must be moist and squishy not cakey!

Lorraine adds Oreos to hers which are divine. My favourite additions include marshmallows, dried blueberries, Rolos, salted caramel and peanut butter! Mmmm delicious!

What’s your favourite recipe?