I'm definitely what you would describe as a 'novice' baker, there's no extreme skill to be found in the baking department of my home, but it's something I really enjoy doing. Mostly because of my love of all things cake related, but also because I find spending an hour or two in the kitchen quite relaxing, in a weird sort of way. I was recently introduced to the site Baking Mad, which has fast become my new favourite website. The site is a fantastic online resource for different recipes, for all different skill levels. It's as easy as searching for 'easy' recipes, or 'biscuit' recipes, you can even search for recipes based on what ingredients you have in your kitchen, which I think is pretty neat.
This Saturday I got in the kitchen and made Doughnut Holes, using this recipe from the Baking Mad site, it was super easy and the result was incredibly tasty (I'm not ashamed to say they didn't last long!). Baking Mad were even kind enough to send me a goody bag of baking ingredients to use from Billington's and Allinson, as well as this adorable apron which definitely saved my clothes from being covered in dough, oil and sugar! I'd never made doughnuts before this, I'd always assumed they'd be super tricky to make, but this little ones were so easy!
Next on my list is Vanilla Star Cookies!
