Wednesday 25 April 2012

The Little book of treats

I spotted this in our Marks and Spencer cafe at the weekend and at £3 thought it a bargain.



It's a book produced by Macmillan Cancer Support called The Little Book of Treats packed full with mouthwatering recipes sent in by keen bakers up and down the UK as well as some celebrity recipes including Quick bites, Cupcakes and buns, Cakes, tarts and tea breads.



The book is promoting the Macmillan Cancer Support's "World's Biggest Coffee Morning" which takes place every year on the last Friday in September and is published in the hope that it may inspire people to hold their own coffee morning to help raise funds.


I thought I'd have a go at making the Welsh cakes.

500g self raising flour
250g butter or hard margarine
180g caster sugar, plus extra to sprinkle
250g currants  (I used sultanas)
2 medium eggs
1/4 tsp salt

You could add some mixed spice for extra flavour

1. Sieve the flour and salt into a large bowl. Add the butter and rub into the flour. Add the sugar and currants. Bind together with the eggs. The mixture should now resemble a soft pastry.




2. Roll out the dough to about 1-1.5cm thick on a lightly floured surface. Use a cutter to make round cakes.



3. Warm up a griddle or heavy-based frying pan.  When the griddle has warmed up, keep on a medium heat. Cook the cakes so they're brown on both sides, about 5 minutes each side. If you think the cakes are cooking too quickly, turn the heat down further, otherwise they may look like THIS!



They had suggested to do a test run of 1 just in case you don't guage the heat correctly. I cooked four because I'm impatient and ruined them all.

The next batch were a lot better



4. Cool on a wire rack and sprinkle with sugar. Spread them with a little butter or enjoy on their own.


Not absolutely sure whether I'd make them again - I think I prefer the conventional way of baking scones. But hey ho you don't know until you try.  As my dear late dad used to say "If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again - I must remember that!

I'm hoping to run one of these coffee mornings in September to support this very worthwhile charity.  Have you ever been to,  or been involved with one?


10 comments:

  1. I haven't been to a Macmillan coffee morning either. Love welsh cakes. If you decide to make them again, try adding the finely grated zest of a lemon (or orange) makes a huge difference.

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    1. Thanks for the tip DC, if I make them again I'll try it.

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  2. They look divine, my mouth is watering just reading the post! I darent bake these days since we are forever counting calories!

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  3. My supervisor at work a few years was Welsh and she would always bring us in her home cooked Welsh cakes on St David's day, they were lush!
    I have been to a MacMillan morning. It was organised by someone of someone I knew. It was held in a local Conservative club and during the half hour I was there I had to listen to the chap next to me make so many racist comments I could bear it no longer. I told him what I thought, politely and quietly, then left. Glad to support such a good cause but could have done without his skewed view of the world!
    Lisa x

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    1. You really don't need people like that spoiling your pleasure. I don't think I'd be quite so calm!

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  4. I have to say that I put on about five pounds just looking at those mouthwatering photos! I shall look out for this book next time I'm in M & S.

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    1. It was a good buy and pure chance I spotted it.

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  5. Could I have one please, they look so delicious :-)

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  6. They do don't they? Must get baking again soon. Patricia

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