Baking takes the biscuit

PEOPLE just love to bake. The smell of a freshly baked cake or a tray of biscuits coming out of the oven always brings a smile and a feeling of comfort and warmth.

This week a few of my favourite things to bake and share, or sell for that matter. Tiny scones are made in minutes; instead of traditional butter and jam or cream why not try a dab of orange or coffee butter cream.

The sour cherry Amaretti are relatively new to our repertoire — a delicious recipe given to me by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi when they taught here last year. A tin of bakewell slices with toasted almonds on top can be served with a cup of coffee, or as a pudding with a jug of custard or a bowl of softly whipped cream.