Brownie cookies, which are ridiculous in the best way

Brownie cookies. Forget any vaguely brown, sticky-sweet double chocolate cookies you might have had: these go full-on with plenty of melted chocolate, cocoa powder, and chocolate chunks. I have to say one of my favourite textures in baking is melted chocolate and butter. It’s just so glossy and is the perfect colour. And when you … Continue reading →

Roasted chestnut cookies

  I love how these look like snowballs. That, plus the fact they’re made of pulverised roast chestnuts, is the reason I made them a couple of years ago and why I made them again this year. Couldn’t remember how they were supposed to taste like, but I after several bakings, I can confirm these cookies … Continue reading →

Star-shaped eggnog creams

These are heart-shaped custard creams made festive: more generous and well-defined spice amounts, a little rum extract in the filling, and the suggestion you make them star-shaped. Twee? Yes. And they’re delicious. Continue reading →

Cranberry pistachio shortbread

A bigger batch of these cranberry-studded biscuits with the addition of pistachios. I love the gold, green, and deep red together. These are my favourite holiday cookies because I find them well-balanced and not too sweet. Sweet-tart dried cranberries and fragrant clementines always evoke the holidays for me, and here they perfectly brighten up a rich shortbread. A handful of pistachios … Continue reading →

A little eggnog

A nutmeg-spiced custard which is light enough to drink, several of my favourite things in one mug. The first time I had eggnog was last year, when Mary and I made up a big frothy bowl of it for Christmas using Alton Brown’s recipe. It’s always a delight to try something new and delicious with … Continue reading →

Mincemeat loaf cake

I hope you’ve all had excellent winter holidays, celebrated in all the ways which made your hearts sing and your bellies full. Tell me what you ate and what you made. I celebrated Christmas up in Sheffield with my friend Mary, a large ginger striped housecat called Whiskers, and Mr. Pear. For the main meal … Continue reading →

The Appetisingly Named Flies Graveyard

Miss South posted this recipe recently and I tried it a couple of days ago, transforming the shame I felt towards the leftover mincemeat lurking in the fridge into vaingloriousness for being so thrifty. Perhaps you, too, still have leftovers, or want to save this for later this year. Flies graveyard is a good place … Continue reading →

Bubble and Squeak Cakes

I think if you cook anything in butter and oil you’ll revive it beautifully, but this leftover dish is even greater than the sum of its parts. Continue reading →

Shimmery Winter Fruit Jam with Festive Spices

With cranberries, sweet plums and tender pears warmed by spices and made lively with clementines, this is truly Christmas jam. It’s bold and red, shimmering like any festive ornament, and tastes wonderful. This was one of those recipes where I was reminded that I’m a beginner striking out on a more ambitious project, and that … Continue reading →

Chocolate Chestnut Cinnamon Sandwich Biscuits

I worry occasionally about what’s been pushed out of my head to make room for all the food thoughts I have. This isn’t how brains work, obvs, but… you know. Sometimes, it’s not really my fault. Take Catherynne Valente’s ‘Fairyland’ series–her language is sensuous as always, and there is SO MUCH FOOD. In addition to … Continue reading →