One of my many projects for 2011 is lots and lots and lots of baking!
I already make many muffins, and more recently madeleines, and am about to learn some classic French pâtisserie from a well known pastry chef (more on this at a later date).
Following the success of the first series of the BBC’s Great British Bake Off, I am setting myself the challenge of baking everything in recipe book that accompanies the series; the Great British Book of Baking! (with thanks to Sophie and Will who gave me the book for my birthday)
I love the book. It is clear, no nonsense and beautifully photographed. I especially like that there are lots and lots of traditional and regional British recipes in there, including Cornish classics such as fairings, saffron buns and stargazy pie; other local delights are Grasmere gingerbread, Somerset Easter biscuits and Eccles cakes.
With over 120 recipes my work will be cut out for me, but I think it will be a very interesting challenge!
I am now off to the kitchen for my first bake!
The Bakes
Bake #1: Wheaten Biscuits for Cheese
Bake #2: Seville Orange Marmalade Pudding
Bake #3: Custard
Bake #4: Spiced Pears in Port
Bake #5: Game Pie
Bake #6: Jumbles
Bake #7: Westmorland Tart
Bake #8: Grasmere Gingerbread
Bake #9: Chocolate Shortbread
Bake #10: Banana Bread
What a great idea Helen! Look forward to seeing the results… Who’s going to be the lucky recipient of all this baking I wonder?!!
Good luck!
Good Luck – that’s a lot of baking you’ll be doing! What are you looking forward to trying/learning first?
Cookies look cute in the shapes and I am sure they taste delectable.
What a lovely idea Helen. It’s an interesting and do-able challenge for 2011, without being too daunting. You’ll also learn a lot along the way *and* you get to feast on some delicious treats. What could be better. I look forward to reading about your baking adventures.
Ooh sounds like fun! Hope you make the Eccles cakes!, I’m keen to try my hand at them myself.
Good call – I’ve been tempted to get this book myself as it’s got a fantastic selection of recipes. Hmmm I wonder who the famous pastry chef is? *whistles*
You’re certainly setting yourself up for an awful lot of baking, but it does sound fun. Good luck.
This looks like fun! I LOVE British baking, so I’m thinking of joining you on your challenge (or at least a few recipes, since I’m supposed to be baking Viennese this year!).
Lauren
Good for you! Will follow your progress with interest!
Great stuff! I love the book too and am doing a similar thing! My “blog” is on Facebook (Sam’s Smart Cookies Great British Bake Off Challenge), which I started last September. I was inspired by both GBBO and the Julie/ Julia film and blog. I have only made 28 recipes so far but am hoping to get them done by September 2011. I’m looking forward to seeing what you will be baking next! Good Luck!
Love this idea! I got the book too – looking forward to seeing how it all works out.
!! I’m doing EXACTLY the same thing but with the Green & Black’s cookbook! Wow! I’ve also baked the chocolate brownie meringue cake from this cookbook (I hope you check it out at http://puddingpielane.blogspot.com/2011/01/chocolate-brownie-meringue-cake.html and tell me what you think :)
I wish you the best of luck in your challenge, I’m going to make the banana bread soon and your tips on that page are really useful, thanks!
OMG, I love this! I adore the programme and book and will now be an avid reader of your baking mission!
I am doing something similar as well! I am baking my way through Mary Berry’s Baking Bible. http://risingtotheberry.blogspot.com
We must like a challenge musn’t we?!!!
Good luck :-)
[...] types of bread. Inspired by Helen at Fuss free flavours who is currently baking her way through The Great British book of baking, I have decided to make more of an effort with the bread I bake by baking my way through my [...]