Bake off

Carol O’Callaghan says Christmas is around the corner and it’s time to prepare for baking sessions.

IT’S only October and who really wants to consider the ‘C’ word? But if we are to have well matured plum puddings and cakes by Christmas, this is the month to climb into the back of kitchen cupboards and retrieve cake tins, mixing bowls, cooling racks and pudding bowls, and put them to work. Yes, indeed, the great Christmas bake off is upon us.

Baking is fun and can be strangely relaxing, but preparation is key to prevent wasting time, and stressing as you have a last minute forage in the garden shed for a tape measure to ensure your tin is the proscribed 8“. Meanwhile the fruit is sinking in your batter.