Not only is it National Baking Week this week (17th – 23rd October), it is also the semi-final of the Great British Bake Off! What other excuses could we possibly need to get stuck into some baking?
Autumn is the perfect time to get back into baking. There is nothing better than enjoying a homemade pie or slice of cake with a cup of tea on a chilly October evening. With Halloween and Bonfire night just around the corner too, there are lots of parties and events going on so why not show off your skills with a few of our favourite bakes.
The Baking Basics
If your baking is a little bit rusty or you’re a first time baker, we’ve got a few tips to make your baking journey as smooth as possible. If you’re already a seasoned baker, feel free to skip to the recipes!
- Be prepared
Read the recipe thoroughly before beginning. Grab all of the equipment and ingredients you will need ahead of time so you’re not frantically searching for a whisk mid-bake. Pre-heat the oven. - Be precise
Make sure you measure ingredients accurately as baking is an exact science. Never guess as this could ruin your bake! Always use precise timings too – use a timer. - Check your ingredients
If your recipe calls for ingredients to be room temperature, make sure they are otherwise this will mess with your bake. Similarly, make sure you’re using the correct flour and sugar. Using inadequate substitute ingredients can completely change the texture and taste of your bake.
The Bakes
Now on to the exciting bit…the bakes! We have selected five of our favourite autumnal recipes for you to try at home:
The Cookies
We’re kicking things off with these Terry’s Chocolate Orange Cookies which have had all of our mouths watering! This recipe from Jane’s Patisserie is very simple with ingredients that you will probably already have in the cupboard. A great recipe for beginners or for cookie newbies. Most importantly, the combination of chocolate and orange is just perfect and will blow you away. Great with a cup of tea, they would also be perfect for a Christmas snack.
—
The Buns
These Chocolate and Cinnamon buns are an exciting, tasty twist on the standard cinnamon swirls. Cinnamon is the taste of autumn and the chunks of chocolate make them more of a luxury. Perfect for a treat breakfast if you have guests. This is still a fairly simple recipe but does require making your own dough. You will also need a food processor!
—
The Savoury Bake
We want to eat this Welsh Lamb and Pumpkin Pie all autumn long. This warming comfort food will be enjoyed by the entire family and the pumpkin makes it that little bit different. You could make a large family-sized pie or individual portions in small pie dishes. The recipe calls for pre-made puff pastry which is perfect for when you have little time. If you want to challenge yourself this National Baking Week, you could always make your own! Serve with potatoes and seasonal veg and enjoy!
—
The Cupcakes
These goodies may look like your average, run of the mill cupcake but they’re actually ‘Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting’. Despite their terribly long name, these cupcakes are fairly simple to bake and good ones for the kids as there is lots of icing and decorating to be done. These are the perfect autumnal cupcake and will be sure to be the showstopper at any Halloween party with their perfect blend of spices, pumpkin and the most delicious frosting you will taste!
—
The Kids Favourite
A twist on the traditional toffee apple, CraftBerry Bush have created child friendly versions. Simply cut up an apple, pop the slices on lolly sticks and let the kids dip them into the topping of their choice. We particularly like the sound of coconut chocolate!
—
Happy baking from us at Careline! We always love to see your pictures so please feel free to share them with us over at our Facebook page or email us at info@careline.co.uk. You could also have a look our latest pinterest board where we’ve included lots more autumnal bakes.
