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Side on view of a stack of vegan and gluten free chocolate chip cookies

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Nutella Cupcakes with glass bottle of milk in the background

Cupcakes & Muffins

2 glass jars of eton mess, raspberries, edible flowers and vanilla extract

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Bowl of ice cream, apple and slices, brown sugar packet

Ice Cream & Lollies

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Stack of American pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and topped with fresh berries

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scone with strawberries and cream on a plate 

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Salted Caramel Cookie Traybake pieces stacked on top of each other with a hand reaching for the top piece. A bottle of milk in the background and jar of caramel sauce in the foreground

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<h2><strong>No-Prep, No-Bake Easter Treats</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>No need to plan ahead—these simple and delicious Easter bakes can be whipped up on the day without the need for an oven! Whether you're after a quick no-bake dessert or a warm, indulgent treat, these easy recipes will bring joy to your Easter.</p>
<h3><strong>No-Bake Vanilla Mini Egg Cheesecake</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Smooth, creamy vanilla cheesecake loaded with crunchy Mini Eggs on a buttery biscuit base. The perfect Easter dessert with no baking required! Check out our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/no-bake-vanilla-mini-egg-cheesecake">Vanilla Mini Egg Cheesecake recipe</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>A dreamy combination of crushed Oreo's, velvety cheesecake with our highly rated <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/no-bake-oreo-cheesecake">No Bake Oreo Cheesecake</a> ! It’s super easy to make.&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>Simple and Fun Easter Treats for Kids</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Get the little ones involved with these fun, hands-on Easter treats! These easy recipes are perfect for kids to help mix, shape, and decorate.&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Easter Chocolate Nests</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Crispy, chocolatey, and topped with Mini Eggs, these classic <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/easter-chocolate-nests">Easter chocolate nests</a> are a fun and tasty treat that kids will love making (and eating!).</p>
<h3><strong>Rice Crispy Cakes with Easter Eggs</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>A super simple, no-bake favourite! Melted chocolate, crunchy rice cereal, and colourful Easter eggs come together for an irresistible snack with our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/rice-crispy-cakes">Rice Crispy Cakes Recipe</a>.</p>
<h2><strong>Indulgent Easter Bakes in No Time</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Craving something warm, gooey, and chocolatey? These quick and easy Easter bakes are rich, indulgent, and perfect for a sweet treat in a hurry.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Victoria Sponge Cake&nbsp;</h3>
<p>An all time classic is the iconic Victoria Sponge. Our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/victoria-sponge">Easy Victoria Sponge recipe</a> gives all the tips to create a perfect, light and fluffy sponge!&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Gooey Mars Bar Cakes&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Melted Mars Bars, crispy rice cereal, and a thick chocolate topping—this chewy, gooey bake is a guaranteed hit!&nbsp;Give our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/mars-bar-cakes">Mars Bar Cake recipe</a> a try!</p>
<h3><strong>Easter Egg Brownies</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Fudgy, <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/the-ultimate-chocolate-brownie">chocolate-loaded brownies</a> with chunks of Easter eggs baked right in. The ultimate Easter indulgence made even better with the caramel flavours of Billington’s light soft brown sugar!&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>Hot Cross Bun Bread Pudding</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Turn leftover hot cross buns into a rich, comforting <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/hot-cross-bun-bread-and-butter-pudding">bread pudding</a> with warm spices, custard, and melted chocolate — Easter baking at its best!&nbsp;</p>
<p><br></p>
<h2><strong>Last-Minute Easter Sunday Dessert Ideas</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Need a sweet treat in a hurry? These effortless dessert ideas make the most of your Easter chocolate with minimal effort.&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
  <li><strong>Homemade Chocolate Fondue</strong> – Melt down Easter eggs and dip in fresh fruit, biscuits, and marshmallows for a simple yet indulgent dessert.&nbsp;</li>
  <li><strong>Quick &amp; Easy Sundae</strong> – Crush leftover Easter eggs over a scoop of ice cream for an instant Easter-themed treat.&nbsp;</li>
  <li><strong>DIY Chocolate Bark</strong> – Melt chocolate, spread it out, and top with nuts, sprinkles, or crushed Mini Eggs for a quick homemade treat.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Share Your Creations!</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>We’d love to see how you’ve used your Easter chocolate! Share your delicious creations with us on social media. Tag us @bakingmad and use the hashtag #bakingmad to inspire others with your sweet ideas!&nbsp;</p>
<h2><strong>FAQs</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<h3><strong>What baked good is an Easter tradition in England?</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>A classic Easter baked good in England is the <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/hot-cross-buns">Hot Cross Bun</a>—a spiced, sweet bun made with dried fruit and marked with a white cross on top. Traditionally eaten on Good Friday, these buns are enjoyed toasted with butter or used in creative recipes like <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/hot-cross-bun-bread-and-butter-pudding">Hot Cross Bun Bread Pudding</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h3><strong>How to decorate a cake with Easter eggs?</strong>&nbsp;</h3>
<p>Decorating a cake with Easter eggs is an easy way to give it a festive touch! Here are some ideas:&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Mini Egg Topping:</strong> Scatter Mini Eggs on top of the cake for a simple but colourful finish. Get inspired by our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/ultimate-easter-chocolate-cake">Ultimate Easter Chocolate Cake</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Chocolate Nest Design:</strong> Use melted chocolate and crushed shredded wheat or cornflakes to create a nest shape on top of the cake, then fill it with chocolate eggs.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Drizzle: </strong>Melt chocolate over your cookies or cakes for a mouth watering finish.&nbsp;</p>
<p><br></p>

Easter Sunday Baking: Easy Recipes You Can Make on the Day 

<p>Who doesn't love a cupcake? They're ideal for almost any occasion and theme and we've rounded up the top 5 best cupcakes to bake and give this Valentine's Day (or Galentine's Day).&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<h2><br>
<br>
1. Cherry Cupcakes</h2>
<p><br>
These gorgeous <a data-item-id="1ec106cc-22c2-56c0-b9c9-3462393e2a2c" href="">cherry cupcakes</a> are topped with cute Valentine's Day sugar piping and roses to really bring the romance. Beautiful soft vanilla sponge topped with a subtle cherry buttercream - what's not to love?<br>
<br>
You'll need:<br>
<br>
-Natural Cherry Flavouring<br>
-Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract<br>
-Cupcake Cases<br>
-Piping Bag<br>
-Star Nozzle</p>
<h2><br>
2. Strawberry &amp; Prosecco Cupcakes</h2>
<p><br>
<br>
These cupcakes are really something. These contain one of the Nation's favourite bubbly drinks, Prosecco. Teamed with strawberries, these <a data-item-id="67b4ce5f-fa08-599e-8be6-a6b630756d60" href="">cupcakes</a> are truly luxurious and elegant.<br>
<br>
You'll Need:<br>
<br>
-Cupcake Cases<br>
-Silver Spoon Icing Sugar<br>
-Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Extract<br>
-Piping Bag<br>
-Star Nozzle</p>
<p><br></p>
<h2><br>
3. Pink Champagne Cupcakes</h2>
<p><br>
These delicious <a data-item-id="ad345542-97b9-5b48-8856-70996afdb554" href="">pink champagne cupcakes</a> scream Valentine's Day and celebration. The champagne permeates the deliciously moist sponge as well as the buttercream...pure indulgence.&nbsp;<br>
<br>
You'll Need:</p>
<p><br>
-Cupcake Cases<br>
-Silver Spoon Icing Sugar<br>
​-Cupcake Baking Tray<br>
-Pink Food Colouring<br>
-Edible Sprinkle</p>
<p><br></p>
<h2><br>
4. Giant Cupcake</h2>
<p><br>
<br>
Why settle for small cupcakes when you could bake a giant super-sized one! Really simple to make, this <a data-item-id="9bbb0b98-2a7d-541d-92b0-336c3275f569" href="">giant cupcake</a> is the perfect showstopper to impress your loved ones.&nbsp;<br>
<br>
You'll Need:</p>
<p><br>
-Silver Spoon Icing Sugar<br>
-Pink Food Colouring<br>
-Edible Sprinkle<br>
-Piping Bag</p>
<p><br></p>
<h2><br>
5. Cupcake Bouquet</h2>
<h2><br></h2>
<p><br>
This is such a beautiful gift and it doesn't have to be as difficult as it looks. This <a data-item-id="19a519fd-471d-598e-b621-6846b4ccbf7f" href="">cupcake bouquet</a> is sure to put a smile on anyone's face.<br>
<br>
You'll Need:<br>
<br>
-Bouquet Boxes<br>
-Cupcake Cases<br>
-Piping Bag<br>
-Star Nozzle<br>
-Food Colouring</p>

The 5 Best Valentine's Day Cupcakes

<p>As Easter approaches it really got me thinking about WHY we eat some of the foods we do and WHY we celebrate in certain ways. Why do we only eat Hot Cross Buns at this time of year? What is a Simnel Cake and why exactly is there an Easter Bunny? So I started to do some investigating to see if I can get to the bottom of the 4 most common Easter traditions</p>
<h2><br>
<br>
Hot Cross Buns</h2>
<p><br>
<br>
Oh how I love delicious&nbsp;hot cross buns. These lightly spiced, raisin packed, doughy joys are traditionally marked with a cross on top (either made from icing or dough) and are eaten during Easter.&nbsp; There are many legends, stories and superstitions surrounding the humble hot cross bun and some versions of the baked delights can be dated back to Ancient Greece! The first record of a <a data-item-id="e3cdc3af-e45f-560e-893f-bd08d8ca7a9f" href="">hot cross bun</a> though comes from a 1733 text that reads: “Good Friday comes this month, the old woman runs, with one or two a penny hot cross buns”.</p>
<h2><br>
Simnel Cake</h2>
<p><br></p>
<p><br>
<br>
This traditional Easter fruit cake, layered with Marzipan dates back to the Tudor times. It is believed that the word <a data-item-id="b47f6824-238d-5230-b741-ec0a46883bd8" href="">Simnel</a> derives from the latin word ‘simila’ meaning fine, wheaten flour that was traditionally used to bake cakes for Mothering Sunday (which happens to fall during lent). By the 18th Century however it has transferred to an Easter treat to celebrate the end of the 40 days of lent. The 11 marzipan balls that sit on top are said to represent the apostles - Judas doesn’t merit his own marzipan ball though.</p>
<h2><br>
<br>
Chocolate Easter Eggs</h2>
<p><br>
<br>
Traditionally chicken eggs would be dyed and painted and were used to symbolise fertility and rebirth. However, it is though that this activity pre-dates Christianity and many cultures around the world still continue this tradition at various times of the year. In the UK however chocolate is now synonymous with Easter.<br>
<br>
The first <a data-item-id="884884a0-6752-59ee-a76e-5823b3918a8f" href="">chocolate Easter egg</a> introduced to Britain is attributed to J.S. Fry and Sons of England in 1987 and it wasn’t long until this chocolatey trend soon spread and today it is a classic symbol of the Easter period.</p>
<h2><br>
<br>
<br>
The Easter Bunny</h2>
<p><br>
<br>
A rabbit (or bunny) represents springtime and is another ancient symbol of fertility and rebirth.<br>
<br>
Legend has it that the <a data-item-id="0480a568-09ff-58fa-b36c-e37f3bdf1666" href="">Easter Bunny</a> originated in Germany with the job of determining whether the children had been good or disobedient (kind of like the Easter version of Santa Claus).<br>
<br>
First referenced in 1682 it is said that he carried coloured eggs in his basket to give to the good children.<br>
<br>
Not as scary as I thought!<br>
<br>
</p>

Easter Traditions Revealed

<p>Christmas is on it's way and you have baked your Christmas Cake in preparation, but all the recipes talk about feeding your Christmas Cake. If you are wondering how do I feed a Christmas cake? What do I feed it with? Don't worry we aren't talking about serving it a plate of sprouts. Feeding a Christmas cake simply means drizzling it with some liquid, typically alcohol such as brandy or sherry or alternatively you could use fruit juice. This process is to keep your cake lovely and moist and to intensify the flavours once you finally cut a slice and dig in.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>How to Make a Christmas Cake</h2>
<p>If you're looking for the perfect Christmas cake recipe, you can try our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/classic-christmas-cake">Classic Christmas Cake</a>. Alternatively you could explore a fun twist by baking our <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/mini-christmas-cakes">Mini Christmas Cakes</a>, they look adorable and make great festive gifts! Need some more inspiration? Check out our full <a href="https://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/categories/cakes/christmas-cakes">Christmas recipe selection</a> for even more delicious bakes to choose from.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Why Do You Feed a Christmas Cake?</h2>
<p>To "feed a cake" typically refers to the process of adding liquid, usually alcohol, to a cake after it has been baked to keep it moist and enhance its flavour over time. This practice is commonly associated with fruit cakes, which are often stored for weeks or even months. The cake is "fed" by periodically brushing or pouring small amounts of alcohol, like rum, brandy, or whiskey, onto it, allowing the liquid to soak into the cake.</p>
<h2>How Often Do You Feed a Christmas Cake?</h2>
<p>You should feed your cake after baking. Once your cake has cooled, it’s usually fed for the first time. Then, during maturation the cake is fed about once a week or every two weeks. You can continue feeding it until a week or so before you plan to decorate or serve it. Some people like to give the cake one final feed just before serving, but this is optional, especially if the cake is already rich and moist enough. Follow our simple step by step guide to learn how to feed a Christmas cake.<br>
</p>

How to Feed a Christmas Cake

<p>Unsure what to get your friends and family this Christmas? Our Ultimate ‘Bake It Yourself’ Gift Guide is here to help.<br>
<br>
Nothing says ‘thoughtful’ like a homemade gift, so this year skip the Christmas shopping rush and put your B.I.Y. skills to the test with these easy gift ideas they are sure to love.&nbsp;<br>
</p>
<h2>Homemade Gifts<br>
</h2>
<h3>1.&nbsp;Cookies &amp; Brownies in a Jar</h3>
<p><br>
Gift in a jar recipes are easy and cheap gifts to make, and this recipe is a&nbsp;perfect homemade gift for any cookie lover!<br>
<br>
With Light Muscovado Sugar, Self Raising Flour and Dark Chocolate Chips (you can swap these for milk or white or even chunks of caramel) all the lucky recipient will need to do is add some butter, golden syrup and vanilla extract. Easy!&nbsp;<br>
<br>
Simply layer the jar up as per the recipe, add a festive ribbon and finish off with the free downloadable <a data-asset-id="7945de2a-a688-432b-94eb-8408d3d84dad" href="https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/559bb7d3-88a4-01c1-79a3-dd4d5b2d2bb0/433b6e84-78c6-41a2-80f4-45f65df6fb94/Cookies-In-A-Jar-PDF.pdf">PDF instructions</a> to give the gift of<a data-item-id="d9838920-9067-509b-90a7-f7d4a0ae18d6" href=""> delicious fresh cookies</a> they can bake at home.&nbsp;<br>
</p>
<h3>2.&nbsp;Salted Caramel Sauce Three Ways</h3>
<p><br>
<br>
&nbsp;This Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce recipe is so easy to do and we think it's better than anything you can buy at the shops! You'll wonder why you haven't made&nbsp;it sooner.<br>
<br>
This recipe will show you how to create a homemade Salted Caramel Sauce to suit everyone - if your Nan loves a deep rich treacle flavour, then Molasses is the sugar for her but if your Dad prefers a lighter, sweeter&nbsp;taste he will love the caramel sauce made with Light Muscovado sugar.<br>
<br>
The possibilities are endless - drizzled on steamed puddings; ice cream; stirred into porridge; fillings for chocolates, or just eating out of the jar!<br>
<br>
Who wouldn't want a jar of this in their Christmas stocking?&nbsp;<br>
</p>
<h3>3.&nbsp;Muscovado Sugar Fudge</h3>
<p><br>
<br>
Whether they like the deep treacle flavour of molasses, the rich caramel sweetness of Dark Muscovado or the delicious light creaminess of Light Muscovado sugar, this is a fudge recipe that will suit everyone's taste buds.<br>
<br>
Billington's unrefined brown sugars already include natural caramel and Molasses flavours so by using them to make your own homemade fudge you are already elevating your caramel flavour just by choosing a great high quality sugar.<br>
<br>
You can interchange all three of these unrefined brown sugars when making this fudge without having to alter the quantities, which makes it ideal to create a yummy homemade foodie gift for the whole family.<br>
<br>
Simply chop up in to squares, wrap in a clear treat bags and tie with some gorgeous ribbon - simple.<br>
</p>
<h3>4.&nbsp;Beauty Gifts Good Enough to Eat</h3>
<p><br>
<br>
Did you know you can use Nielsen-Massey vanilla &amp; flavour extracts for more than just baking? You can make a sweet beauty gift or party favour!<br>
<br>
</p>
<figure data-asset-id="419d0e7f-2978-4df4-b2a1-28c36f0bc010" data-image-id="419d0e7f-2978-4df4-b2a1-28c36f0bc010"><img src="https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/559bb7d3-88a4-01c1-79a3-dd4d5b2d2bb0/fb00a8b6-5ff6-4820-bba5-79c8d9e20988/Bodybutter.jpg" data-asset-id="419d0e7f-2978-4df4-b2a1-28c36f0bc010" data-image-id="419d0e7f-2978-4df4-b2a1-28c36f0bc010" alt="Jar of vanilla body butter"></figure>
<h3>5. Turkish Delight</h3>
<p><br>
These&nbsp;small and fragrant cubes are delicately flavoured with rosewater and dusted with a generous helping of icing sugar. (You can use orange flower water or citrus fruit juice).<br>
<br>
These traditional middle eastern sweets are usually served with tea of coffee but we could eat them anytime of day.&nbsp;<br>
<br>
Whether you pop them in a treat bag or find an ornately decorated box to house them in - <a data-item-id="340ff6cb-b96d-56f4-9bfc-b0aa2bbd8f8e" href="">Turkish Delight </a>makes a fantastic homemade gift.&nbsp;<br>
<br>
Tip: For a vegetarian version, simply use vegetarian gelatine, available in most supermarkets.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</p>
<h3>6.&nbsp;Salt Dough Decorations<br>
</h3>
<figure data-asset-id="2f547e05-a768-427d-9825-531ee86ea3be" data-image-id="2f547e05-a768-427d-9825-531ee86ea3be"><img src="https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/559bb7d3-88a4-01c1-79a3-dd4d5b2d2bb0/168d41aa-bd05-4a51-89b0-27ec922ada12/Baking-Memories-1.jpg" data-asset-id="2f547e05-a768-427d-9825-531ee86ea3be" data-image-id="2f547e05-a768-427d-9825-531ee86ea3be" alt="Hand print salt dough shape decorated to look like Santa"></figure>
<p>Salt dough decorations really are a simple and cheap way to create a priceless gift for the whole family - baking&nbsp;memories that will last forever.<br>
<br>
They are so fun to make we enjoy the making process just as much as the end result. Why not get the whole family involved? It'll soon become a family tradition.&nbsp;<br>
<br>
To find out more about how&nbsp;to <a data-item-id="0bfb3393-0148-5b4f-b815-f06b4346409e" href="">‘Bake Memories’</a>&nbsp;check out our handy article, with a step by step guide.&nbsp;<br>
</p>
<h3>8.&nbsp;Vanilla Star Marshmallows</h3>
<p><br>
<br>
With the rising popularity of mail order marshmallows, anyone would be thrilled to unwrap these delicious vanilla treats on Christmas morning - and we think these delicious <a data-item-id="5bdcbe4f-dbf0-5513-9564-9e7d3f9a8fb9" href="">homemade&nbsp;marshmallows</a> are so much better than shop bought.<br>
<br>
Gorgeous floating on the top of a&nbsp;mug of hot chocolate or&nbsp;simply eaten on their own - they are truly irresistible!<br>
<br>
You can even get creative - trying different shapes by using different cookie cutters - what's not to love?&nbsp;<br>
</p>
<h3>9.&nbsp;Peppermint Creams</h3>
<p><br>
<br>
These tasty retro bitesize <a data-item-id="58ff0db7-dd7c-55fb-9a7b-b7a63b1d7130" href="">peppermint creams</a> are so quick and simple to make and great for all of the mint-lovers out there.<br>
<br>
Not only a great gift idea but also can be served as an after dinner treat, or even just to nibble on snuggled up in front of the telly whilst watching Christmas films.<br>
<br>
With so&nbsp;few ingredients involved, and lots of potential to get creative with colours and flavours - the whole family will enjoy getting involved in this one.&nbsp;<br>
<br>
Why not swap out the peppermint for rose or orange? You could even add edible gold to really make a statement - the possibilities are endless.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
<br>
Inspired to make your own gifts this year? Check out all of our <a data-item-id="2625b064-b119-50a7-ad09-aae817f2f861" href="">Homemade Gift</a> ideas for even more inspiration.&nbsp;</p>

The Ultimate 'Bake It Yourself' Gift Guide

<p>Remember remember the 5th of November…<br>
<br>
Each year on the 5th of November people around the country light bonfires to celebrate the fact that King James had survived the attempt on his life on that date in 1605. Guy Fawkes, a member of the gunpowder plot was arrested whilst guarding the explosives which had been placed beneath the House of Lords ready to kill the King.<br>
<br>
The present-day Guy Fawkes Night is usually celebrated at large organised events, centred on a bonfire and extravagant firework displays. Whether you’re hosting your own bonfire night, or heading out with friends, we’ve got 5 tasty treats ready for you whatever the weather. Let’s don our coats and winter warmers and head outside to watch the fireworks.<br>
</p>
<h2>Popping Candy Cupcakes</h2>
<p><br></p>
<p>These <a data-item-id="0bba34de-d12a-5e6a-90c0-bd75a275c054" href="">popping candy cupcakes</a> give an extra crackle as you eat, perfect for holding whilst you’re watching the fireworks.</p>
<h2><br>
&nbsp;<br>
<br>
&nbsp;S'mores</h2>
<p><br>
What’s better than a melted marshmallow over a campfire? How about a <a data-item-id="905913f0-4d2a-5be3-8ba9-b1aa51364978" href="">toasted marshmallow between cookies</a>? Yes please! <br>
</p>
<h2>Toffee Apples</h2>
<p><br></p>
<p><a data-item-id="dafee72d-9df6-5c5c-8322-e494ac2d9771" href="">Toffee apples</a> are usually associated with Guy Fawkes night because apples are harvested around this time. Here’s our classic recipe.</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<h2>Salted Caramel Apple Mini Cheesecakes</h2>
<p><br>
These <a data-item-id="7141d20d-6bbb-56e1-b17b-5e4daea18946" href="">salted caramel apple mini cheesecakes </a>are topped with apple and granola and require no baking making them a great treat you can prepare the day before and leave to set in the fridge.</p>

Best Bonfire Night Treats

<p>It’s October, the clocks have gone back and the nights are drawing in earlier. That can only mean one thing….Halloween is on its way.<br>
<br>
Whether you are a fan of guts and gore or tend to lean&nbsp;more towards a ‘Casper the friendly ghost’ type of celebration, Halloween can be fun for the&nbsp;whole family.<br>
<br>
We&nbsp;think these spook-tacular <a data-item-id="12d2421b-03e6-5b0a-bb78-0c8d5d430f4a" href="">Halloween pops</a> are a great way to get everyone involved this year. Depending on how much time you have, you could opt for either the simple Frankenstein marshmallow pops or push the boat out with the Pumpkin and <a data-item-id="f773543d-cb04-5ece-baac-eafbe7faf8f9" href="">Ghost cake pops</a>. We had some leftover cupcakes from a recent bake session which worked perfectly to make up our cake pops so gave these a try first.<br>
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A brilliant, kid-friendly task would be to get hands on and crumble the cakes up into a large bowl. Next add the buttercream and mix together until it begins to form a big ball, then it’s time to roll up those sleeves and get stuck in again rolling your cake pops. A good tip is to use an ice cream scoop to get an even sized ball each time – if you don’t have one of these to hand though don’t worry, you can always use a teaspoon.<br>
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<figure data-asset-id="46c06bb5-12fa-457d-b7e6-98ff24f30633" data-image-id="46c06bb5-12fa-457d-b7e6-98ff24f30633"><img src="https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/559bb7d3-88a4-01c1-79a3-dd4d5b2d2bb0/69fe8a91-0fc1-4c09-ad9b-21601052c36a/Halloween1.jpg" data-asset-id="46c06bb5-12fa-457d-b7e6-98ff24f30633" data-image-id="46c06bb5-12fa-457d-b7e6-98ff24f30633" alt="pumpkin shaped cake pops"></figure>
<p>&nbsp;It’s important to leave your cake balls to chill in the fridge and firm up. This will make them much easier to stay in shape when you dip them in the chocolate coating.<br>
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There are many brands of coloured chocolate that you can use, such as Candy Melts and these can often be found in cake and craft stores. Be careful not to overheat them though as they can become congealed and difficult to work with. A handy tip if this happens is to drizzle a very small amount of oil into the chocolate to loosen it up again.<br>
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<figure data-asset-id="0a8c5008-065c-4660-8b2b-740cda467b97" data-image-id="0a8c5008-065c-4660-8b2b-740cda467b97"><img src="https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/559bb7d3-88a4-01c1-79a3-dd4d5b2d2bb0/407802cd-b8a6-4ada-b866-f2f0f5e07884/Halloween2.jpg" data-asset-id="0a8c5008-065c-4660-8b2b-740cda467b97" data-image-id="0a8c5008-065c-4660-8b2b-740cda467b97" alt="Halloween cake pop decorating process"></figure>
<p>Sometimes the trickiest thing when making cake pops is to find somewhere to dry them. I used an empty, fairly shallow cardboard box and punched small holes in it using my leftover cake pops sticks. Make sure that the holes are at least an inch apart as cake pops like to lean a little when drying and you don’t want them to stick together.<br>
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Once dry, the fun part can begin…decorating. You can be as creative as you like and if you go wrong, don’t worry simply eat the cake pop and no-one will ever know!!<br>
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&nbsp;If you don’t have any spare cake to make the cake pops you can dip marshmallows and follow the process in exactly the same way. This works perfectly for the freakish Frankenstein pops and tastes just as yummy.<br>
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<figure data-asset-id="b1aa369e-1be7-40ec-91ea-8e5ab57e89b9" data-image-id="b1aa369e-1be7-40ec-91ea-8e5ab57e89b9"><img src="https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/559bb7d3-88a4-01c1-79a3-dd4d5b2d2bb0/8ea30836-4073-420f-922f-f5a48a307e69/Halloween3.jpg" data-asset-id="b1aa369e-1be7-40ec-91ea-8e5ab57e89b9" data-image-id="b1aa369e-1be7-40ec-91ea-8e5ab57e89b9" alt="pumpkin cake pops in a row"></figure>
<p>So what are you waiting for? Gather together your little ghosts and ghouls and get creative with our Halloween treats. Try more <a data-item-id="b04e516b-6827-5891-a6ea-31066973342e" href="">spooky&nbsp;inspiration</a>.<br>
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Happy Halloween!!<br>
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Halloween Party Food

<p>For us home bakers, Stir Up Sunday is possibly one of the best parts of the whole festive season. If like me you get groaned at for wanting to start wearing Christmas jumpers on November 6th and subtly adding Christmas songs to their shuffle playlists then it’s the day you are officially allowed to start preparing for the impending Christmas celebrations as its traditionally the day to begin preparing your Christmas cake or pudding. Stir Up Sunday always falls on the last Sunday before advent.<br>
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<figure data-asset-id="67b7ebc4-1dc0-4a2e-b678-14c3970905f6" data-image-id="67b7ebc4-1dc0-4a2e-b678-14c3970905f6"><img src="https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/559bb7d3-88a4-01c1-79a3-dd4d5b2d2bb0/07ca84b3-c66a-4489-b6fe-d7c4f227f831/cake%20mix.jpg" data-asset-id="67b7ebc4-1dc0-4a2e-b678-14c3970905f6" data-image-id="67b7ebc4-1dc0-4a2e-b678-14c3970905f6" alt="Christmas pudding cake mix in a bowl"></figure>
<p>Stir Up Sunday is a great family tradition with everyone in the family having a chance to give the batter a mix and make a wish. Some households even place a coin (traditionally a sixpence) in the pudding which is thought to bring good luck, health and happiness in the upcoming year to the person who finds it in their slice.<br>
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We have fond memories at Baking Mad HQ of stirring the Christmas pudding mix as kids and making a special Christmas wish, whilst festive tunes were playing in the background – good quality family time. So, we have put together the ultimate guide to Stir Up Sunday for you all.&nbsp;<br>
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<strong>Step 1</strong> – Find a yummy <a data-item-id="fc3b1e51-d927-5c9f-bfc6-e4669c3340d9" href="">Christmas Pudding recipe</a> on Baking Mad. CHECK!<br>
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<strong>Step 2</strong> – Buy your ingredients. We personally believe that using the very best quality ingredients that you can afford will turn your Christmas pudding into a real showstopper.<br>
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<strong>Step 3 </strong>– Check&nbsp;that you have got all the correct baking equipment, such as non-stick baking parchment, tin foil, kitchen string, wooden spoon and of course the pudding basin! A 1.25lt basin is perfect for a standard recipe and all these bits can be bought from good homeware stores.<br>
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<strong>Step 4</strong> – So now comes the time to begin making your pud<br>
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[Cue the cheesy Christmas music – ‘All I want for Christmas is yoooooou……”]<br>
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<strong>Top Tip: It is ideal to soak your fruit overnight, however, don’t worry if you forget or don’t have the time a quick cheat tip is to place the fruit in a microwaveable bowl, pour over the liquid, cover and microwave for a few minutes to allow the fruit to absorb the liquid.</strong><br>
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Traditionally bakers use rum or brandy to soak their fruit however you can use your favourite tipple or if you are looking for a child friendly version, replace the alcohol with fruit juice.<br>
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Follow the recipe and don’t forget to gather everyone round to make a wish (sssh it’s a secret, don’t share your wish otherwise it won’t come true!)<br>
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Once your pudding has been made store in a cool, dark place until the big day.<br>
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If you have time, why not make extra puds (or even mini puds) as these are great homemade gifts to impress your friends and family.<br>
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<h2>On The Big Day<br>
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<figure data-asset-id="2b077a8c-e07b-4453-a8fb-ec9f135ddafa" data-image-id="2b077a8c-e07b-4453-a8fb-ec9f135ddafa"><img src="https://assets-eu-01.kc-usercontent.com:443/559bb7d3-88a4-01c1-79a3-dd4d5b2d2bb0/02d79cbf-3f36-40fb-a9b2-45deae59cd17/pudding.jpg" data-asset-id="2b077a8c-e07b-4453-a8fb-ec9f135ddafa" data-image-id="2b077a8c-e07b-4453-a8fb-ec9f135ddafa" alt="Christmas pudding on a plate"></figure>
<p>Steam your pudding for several hours (as per the recipe instructions) and serve with delicious brandy butter. We even have a <a data-item-id="363a5036-73c1-5e92-b15b-a6e7b559dc75" href="">homemade brandy butter recipe</a> for you to try.<br>
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For an extra flare try flambéing your pud – once steamed turn out on to a dish with a rim to catch any excess alcohol. Pour 3-4 tablespoons of spirit (brandy, rum or whisky) into a long-handled ladle and heat over a gas hob until hot, carefully tilt theladle over the gas flame until it sets alight. Then gently pour over the pudding (be careful not to burn your hands) and carry to the table.<br>
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[Cue the applause]<br>
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Make sure that the flames are fully out before serving and enjoy!<br>
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