Frangipane – that glorious, sticky, rich almond scented paste combined with the deep flavour of Mincemeat, enveloped by layers of butter puff pastry.
It looks like a confection, but is easier than pie. Served hot, warm or cold, alone or with cream or ice cream, it is about the most flattering thing you can do to a packet of butter puff pastry. I say butter puff pastry because the non-butter stuff isn’t very nice. If you’re going to buy pastry, make it the good stuff, hey?
Continue reading 'Mincemeat and Frangipane Jalousie'»
This recipe is from ‘Delicious’ magazine’s Dec 2009 edition. It is very delicious. Very delicious indeed. Mum made it last week; it took just one bite for me to shove the magazine in my handbag and scurry home to make one for us as well.
Moist, moist, moist, plummy, fudgey with marzipan and some chopped nuts for an additional texture.
Not just that, this genuinely works as a cake. It isn’t a ‘best served warm’ cake, it is a proper cake. Likewise, if you serve it warm, it is a real pudding.
A really clever recipe that comes together without a lot of fuss. In addition to all this, it can be frozen. That is pretty marvellous at this time of year – you never know when you’re going to need a cake or pudding on standby.
Continue reading 'Plum, Marzipan and Almond Cake or Pudding'»
The original recipe from ‘Olive’ magazine uses Pedro Ximenez sherry; it’s an absolutely delicious Sherry with a very raisin-y taste, but I didn’t have any on hand; instead, my larder boasted a big bottle of Marsala and frankly, what is there to dislike about that?
A boozy cake, but boozy without being rasping or obnoxious.
This cake isn’t the lashed-up lout who pushes over your dustbin on a Saturday night and then vomits over your Winter pansies, no, no. It is the elderly Aunt who, on a Sunday lunchtime visit, has a revealing whiff of something floral and fortified about her, who wears unusual jewellery and asks you about boys you like. Cool, elegant and engaging. Most excellent.
Continue reading 'Marsala Raisin and Almond Cake'»
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