Thursday 29 December 2011

2011

I can’t believe 2011 is over already! It seems to have raced past, particularly towards the end in the run up to Christmas. It seems really not that long ago that I was writing up my 2010 round up. With 2012 just around the corner, I wanted to look back at my favourite bake from each month. I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and I’m really looking forward to the coming year, I hope to really stretch my baking and this blog so keep reading! Happy New Year!

January – Celebratory Chocolate
This Chocolate & Salted Caramel Tart is one of my favourite things I’ve ever baked, not just in 2011. It wasn’t 100% perfect but it was such a decadent treat and the combination of textures and flavours were absolutely delicious.
caramel tart

February – Benedict Bars
These were a simple bake but really moreish – nutty, jammy, sticky goodness. And the best bit? The recipe makes a very large tray full.
benedict bars March – Mini Orange Drizzle Cakes
These zingy little cakes really cheer up a kitchen on a gloomy day – I think they’d be perfect when its been raining for several days, when you’re at a loss for inspiration or as a gift for somebody who is ill because they wake you up and make you smile.
orange cake April – Passion Fruit Curd Tart
From one sunny recipe to the next, this tart was a perfect way to look forward to the not too far off summer. It was a lot of effort and not stress-free but the results were so very worth it.
passion fruit curd tart

May – Sticky Rhubarb and Ginger Cake
I always love baking with rhubarb – it’s such an intriguing and pretty fruit. This cake was what I made during rhubarb season this year and was a recipe I’d love to repeat.
rhubarb cake

June – Apple, Vanilla and Olive Oil Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Icing (from July…)
In June I was in the midst of twenty three (23!!) important exams and so my blog was sadly empty. However, I can’t choose a favourite July recipe so here’s the apple cake – a treat of a layer cake, with rich cream cheese icing and a moist, apple studded sponge.

apple cake

  July – White Chocolate and Raspberry Cookies
I don’t know why, but whenever I make a white chocolate cookie on this blog it immediately becomes one of my top hits. This was no exception and for good reason – rich, moreish, soft but with perfect crunchy edges, tart raspberries – what’s not to like?
white choc

August – Mini Pork Pies
The first savoury appearance in this list and its well deserved. This post involved a recipe for a delicious and adorable pie that involved lots of techniques new to me but was so much fun to make with my friend E., combined with a rant about pork pie jelly.

pork pie

September – Plum Frangipane Tart
I love making tarts -  hence this being the 3rd in this list – but this one was different due to not having to blind bake the pastry before adding the frangipane. It turned out perfectly and was a delicious Autumnal treat.
plum frangipane tart

October – Parmesan Biscuits
These biscuits come from Simon Hopkinson and were such a hit. I say things are moreish a lot, but these really were – I had to photograph them very quickly before they were all eaten. And with the dough taking two minutes to make, I think I’ll need to repeat this recipe very soon…

parmesan biscuits

  November – Love Bakery Book Review
I was lucky enough to be sent a book to review and it made the most delicious Chocolate Orange Cupcakes – moist, rich and full of flavour. The book didn’t fail on the classic recipes either, the Lemon Cupcakes were packed with citrus zing and I regretted only making half a batch!
lemon cake December – Cherry Chocolate Snow Cookies
Ok, so there’s not the largest choice here, but these cookies would always deserve a mention. They were full of Christmas flavours, easy to whip up and made a cute festive gift.
cherry choc cookie

9 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Great creations! All so tempting.

Looking forward to following you in 2012.

Best wishes for the New Year!

Cheers,

Rosa

La Table De Nana said...

Happy New Year Little One~ Your cheese crackers graced our Christmas eve table..Lots to learn from you..Kudos..All the best!

Xinmei @ Pudding Pie Lane said...

I see that the cookie makes a frequent appearance, and rightly so :) Especially those white chocolate and raspberry ones! I made the green and blacks salted caramel tart as one of the first things on my blog when I started it, and it's still one of my favourites into 2011! Happy New Year Lucy and all the best for 2012!

The Caked Crusader said...

It's been a good year!
Happy 2012!

Jo said...

That plum frangipane tart looks gorgeous, I love autumnal bakes. You've made some lovely things this year, hope you continue to do more! Happy new year!

Faith said...

Happy New Year, Lucy! This is a lovely round-up of delicious dishes...I can't wait to see where the New Year takes you!

Dewi said...

Happy New Year Lucy! I have been enjoying your post from time time. Keep up the good work!

Kim said...

Happy new year! Thanks so much for visiting my blog, always great to meet another fellow baker! What a great year of baking you've had, I especially love the orange drizzle cakes, I was drooling over some mini loaf cases over Christmas so reckon I might have to give these a go. Look forward to seeing what you whip up in 2012!

Lynne Daley said...

What a delicious assortment of goodies from the past year! It's nice to hear from you again. I was in England this past October visiting friends and had a lovely trip to Cornwall where Rick Stein has several restaurants. It was a lovely trip to your country! Happy New Year.