Lemon loaf and apple and oat cookies...

That's what I chose to bake in the end after much ummming and ahhhing and searching through my recipe books over and over.


I made the apple and oat cookies first, a fairly normal cookie recipe, with a mix of white and light brown soft sugar which made them extra yummy! I've never grated an apple before and I was amazed at how slimy it was, the recipe requested that I squeeze as much liquid out as possible but it was easier said than done. The recipe also (as the name suggests) had oats in, but not too many, just enough to give some crunch, and cinnamon for a hint of spice. I actually really liked these and they went down well with the girls too, I'm not sure if it's the ideal way to get the munchkins eating fruit but better than nothing I guess.


The lemon loaf with a lemon syrup drizzled over was something I'd made before and something I knew would work. I always end up with loads of mix, I'm not sure if I have small loaf tins or what but it filled my metal tin and my silicone one too. I made the syrup just before the loaves were ready and poured it over the top of them once they were out of the oven. I've had some guests taste test the lemon loaf today and it seemed to go down well.


The second lemon loaf left the house today all packaged up in a box, destined for a friend who has many times remarked that she wished she lived closer to me (due to the amount of cakes I bake) and so a parcel of lemony goodness should be with her tomorrow. It's the first time I've posted cake, I just hope it makes it in one piece (well, loaf).


I'm not baking tonight (shocking) but tomorrow I plan on making sugar cookies with the girls, and maybe some cupcakes.

An empty blog

It scares me.


I feel a bit daunted by its empty-ness and I bit doubtful as to how to fill it.


Maybe it's best to start by telling you about what I baked last. And what a disaster it was! The cookbook called them 'lemon bars' I read the recipe and decided that it seemed like something I might actually want to eat myself (probably why it didn't work out).


The recipe was easy enough, basically a biscuit style base cooked first and then a lemony-eggy-sugary mixture poured on top and then baked again, Unfortunately I over-cooked it due to two problems.


1. Leaving it until the end of the cooking time before checking it
2. Not knowing the tin size - I just used any old tin and I think it meant my topping was too shallow.


The whole thing was rock hard and nearly impossible to slice. I made it in a rush last night as it needed to set in the fridge overnight and I was a little disappointed this morning. BUT actually, if you take a middle bit rather than the edge and if you ignore the fact it's impossible to get a neat slice then it doesn't taste too bad. It is lemony and biscuit-y and just about ok.


I plan on baking something else this evening once the munchkins are in bed. I haven't decided what yet though. Watch this space...