Spring Forward

Once again, it's been a while hasn't it?
Apologies for the lack of posts in the last couple of weeks, life just gets pretty crazy sometimes doesn't it?
But here we are, March 2016, and we're halfway already. March brings new life; it's the height of lambing season here in the UK, and as we look towards Easter, most of us are starting to enjoy some nice sunny, Spring weather.
Since it's almost Easter, I thought I would share with you some of my favourite-and essential-Easter recipes, you really can't go wrong with an Easter treat.

 1) Simnel Cake
I love love love any type of fruit cake, and I also love marzipan so this cake is literally heaven for me! Simnel Cake is a fruit sponge, just like Christmas Cake, but the main and vital difference is that Simnel Cake has a layer of marzipan in the centre of the cake, and there's no whit icing, just a circle of marzipan to cover the top which is then topped with 11 marzipan balls, which represent the 11 Disciples. You then bake the cake for another 5-10 minutes until the marzipan is golden brown. For a full recipe and step by step guide on how to make this yummy cake, check out my last blog post, you won't be disappointed!

 2) Lemon Tart
Now, I know you can have a lemon tart any day of the year, but there's just something about this recipe that gives it a Spring feel. I think it's because it's so refreshing and light, and it really does put you in the mood for sunny weather and spending the days outside. I found this recipe on the Delicious Magazine website, and it really doesn't disappoint!
http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/lemon-tart-2/
Just follow the link and follow their ridiculously simple step by step recipe, and you'll be impressing you're friends left right and centre.

3) Hot Cross Buns
Once again, Hot Cross Buns are kind of a given at Easter, just like the Simnel Cake. But lets face it, they are very very tasty. The dough used is pretty similar to a teacake dough, and its pretty much the same process, just with a cross piped on the top which can be a bit fiddly, but totally worth it!
The recipe I tend to use is one from BBC Good Food, lets face it, you really can't go wrong with a BBC recipe!
Once again, here's the link, so give them a go! They're a lot easier than you think!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/hotcrossbuns_397

 4) Crème Egg Brownies
Surprise surprise, Crème Eggs have somehow managed to find their way on to the list, but does it really shock you? I'm literally obsessed with Crème Eggs, it saddens me you can't get them all year round!
If you look through my blog, you'll find the recipe for these yummy, chocolate filled, Crème Egg Brownies, perfect for any chocoholic or party!

 5) Gluten-Free Chocolate & Raspberry Cake
I always get a lot of people asking for Gluten-Free cakes and bakes, so I thought I would include one that's perfect for the season of Chocolate! Once again, this recipe is from Delicious Magazine. And it is delicious. It's so so simple, and the sponge is so light and fluffy, you really can't go wrong!
http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/gluten-free-chocolate-and-raspberry-cake
The best thing about this recipe is the fact that you can literally decorate it however you want, be as creative as you like!

So there you have it, my five favourite Easter bakes, perfect for any party or even just a treat to have at home. Tune in next week for my next recipe, if you have any requests or questions just leave a comment and I will be happy to help!

 Have an awesome week, and as always, happy baking!

 Charley x

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