Setting up a home baking business

September 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
baking-business

Have you ever considered setting up a business to sell your baked goods? I never thought about it until a friend’s sister asked me to make a cake for her silver anniversary. Setting up a home business is a great way to earn some extra money, and start-up costs for home catering jobs are low. However it is important to plan carefully so you stay within the law and grow organically into a successful business. The first step is to make up a business plan. Consider funding, marketing, who to … [Read more...]

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Don’t be seduced by a pretty cake

September 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment
cake

It’s very easy to be seduced by the decorative artistry of a cake, the tremendously thick and tasty icing and the beautifully arranged toppings is enough to make anybody’s mouth water. However, just like you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge a cake by its sweet sugary trimmings. As my sincere Grandma use to say without a hint of irony “It’s what’s inside that counts”. I’m the first person to hold my hands up and admit that I have often neglected those … [Read more...]

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Mince Pies in Orange Pastry

December 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
christmas-mince-pies

Following rapidly on from my last post in which I disclosed my own mincemeat recipe I am now going to divulge my personal recipe for mince pies - in orange pastry. Its not unique of course because I´ve had mince pies in orange pastry in a couple of places - but this is my version tailored to my tastes. Now I always make my mincemeat earlier in the year - usually around October. Leaving it a short while helps the flavours to mature. Orange Pastry 8 oz self-raising flour Pinch salt 1 … [Read more...]

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Breakfast & Tea Ideas – Pikelets

October 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Derbyshire Pikelets 8 oz plain flour 1 tsp salt ¼ oz fresh (or equivalent dried yeast – if dried follow instructions on pack) 1 teaspoon of caster sugar 1 egg ½ pint whole milk Sieve flour and salt into bowl. Cream yeast and sugar and add beaten egg and warmish milk. Add the yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix to a thin batter consistency – if too thick, add more milk, a little at a time. Cover and leave to rise for 30 minutes in a warm place until it has doubled in … [Read more...]

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Raspberry Jam Drops

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ingredients: 6 oz plain flour 2 tbsp cornflour ½ oz Icing Sugar 1½ tbsp golden syrup 2 tbsp ground almonds Almond extract – a few drops 6 oz butter, diced 3 oz raspberry jam Method: Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius Sift the flour, cornflour and icing sugar into a bowl, stir in the syrup, ground almonds and almond extract Rub in the butter and press the mixture together to form dough Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead lightly until smooth Using … [Read more...]

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Butter Cookies

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ingredients: 9 oz unsalted butter, softened 9 oz unrefined caster sugar 2 large eggs, lightly beaten ½ tsp vanilla extract 18 oz plain flour 1 tsp baking powder Method: Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract Sift the flour and baking powder into a separate bowl then stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture Bring the dough together using your hands and turn out onto a floured work surface, knead into a ball Divide the dough in … [Read more...]

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Coconut Cookies

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Ingredients: 5 oz softened butter 4 oz golden caster sugar 5 oz plain flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp vanilla extract 1½ oz desiccated coconut Method: Beat the sugar and butter until light and fluffy and smooth, mix in the vanilla extract Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder into the bowl, add the desiccated coconut and mix thoroughly until the mixture comes together Divide into two pieces and make into sausages approximately 2” … [Read more...]

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