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For my sister and best friend Simone Table of Contents Baking has always been one of my greatest joys. I have such happy memories of my sister and I when we were little, standing on kitchen chairs so that we could help Mum make biscuits or buns for the family. Even today, the wonderful, warm aromas of baking bread, cakes or cookies always transport me back to these times. Baking makes you stop and really enjoy your time in the kitchen. Of course, there is a lot more to baking than just cakes and cookies, it’s a versatile and very homely method of cooking, whether you’re baking a fresh loaf of bread or just a simple jacket potato. It’s warming, comforting and nurturing, and fills the house with such welcoming smells. Giving something that you have baked to someone you love is real generosity—whether it be a delicious pie for friends on a cold winter’s evening or a special cake for a birthday. There is no mystery to baking; baking is a simple science, which is precisely why it is so satisfying. Your friends may think you’re a genius if you present them with a beautiful cake, but it’s really just the right ingredients in the right quantities! I have chosen my favourite baking recipes in this collection to give you a wide range of delicious treats and meals that can be baked in your oven. I hope these become part of your everyday life. There are also many special recipes for those once-in-a-while occasions and celebrations. If you can master a set of weighing scales, then you have all the skills you need to bake…so what are you waiting for? Get that pinny on and start baking! Rachel PS The oven temperatures in this book are for a conventional oven, but if I am using a fan oven, then I usually reduce the temperature by 10 per cent. OATMEAL AND RAISIN COOKIES An American favourite, these cookies are moist, sweet and very moreish. MAKES ABOUT 30 COOKIES
110g (4oz) butter, softened
110g (4oz) caster sugar
110g (4oz) soft light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
250g (9oz) porridge oats
110g (4oz) self-raising flour
1 level tsp salt
110g (4oz) raisins
1 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), Gas mark 4. 2 Cream the butter in a large bowl or in an electric food mixer until soft. Add the sugars and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg, water and vanilla extract while still beating. Reduce the speed and gently mix in the oats, flour, salt and raisins to form a dough. 3 Using your hands, roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and place spaced slightly apart on two baking trays (no need to grease or line). 4 Bake in the oven for 15-25 minutes or until light golden brown, but still slightly soft in the centre. 5 Allow to cool on the trays for a minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool. VARIATION Oatmeal and chocolate: Chocolate chips can be used instead of raisins, if you prefer. BASIC COOKIE RECIPE This recipe is a basis for many combinations. Experiment with ingredients—flavourings, dried fruits, nuts, spices and even herbs such as lavender—to find your favourite. MAKES ABOUT 35 COOKIES
225g (8oz) butter, softened
110g (4oz) caster sugar
275g (10oz) plain flour
Ground spices or finely grated zest (optional; see Variations below)
1 Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F), Gas Mark 3. 2 Cream the butter in a large bowl or in a food mixer until soft. Add the sugar and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. 3 Sift in the flour and spices or grated zest (if using) and bring the mixture together to form a dough. 4 Using your hands, roll the dough into walnut-sized balls and place them slightly apart on a baking tray (no need to grease or line). Flatten them slightly with the back of a damp fork and bake in the oven for 13-15 minutes or until they are light golden brown
