I have to admit to being a recent convert to chocolate cake. Chocolate brownie yes, but a cake...I just never found one I was bowled over by. Over the past couple of years I have fallen in love with a Lily Vanilli recipe which is now my go to chocolate cake. People often ask me for a recipe of something or other and when it comes to chocolate cake, this is the one I always recommend, it's just brilliant. The only box it doesn't tick is being gluten free. Not a problem for

I like muffins. They are infinitely more interesting than a cupcake. Sweet, savoury, something in between (think carrot and rosemary) it’s ok to be courageous in your flavours. You can eat a muffin for breakfast, yes it’s acceptable, just perhaps not everyday! We make slightly healthier muffins for snacks, they’re good for taking to work and cheer up a day in the office. Sometimes though, you just want one of those big fat chocolate filled muffins. Yes those ones, found

I seem to find myself surrounded by people who love an Oreo. No matter where I work, there is always a group of them, I find this strange. As much as I love the biscuit, is it really better than a custard cream or a chocolate bourbon?? Apparently so, but give me a slice of cake over a biscuit any day, don't you agree? One of my favourite things to do, which is an excellent time filler, is day dream about cake or what to bake next. Reading the cookbooks and magazines that f

I have an incredible sweet tooth. Puddings, cakes, sweet and buttery enriched breads are my weakness. I'd much rather eat anything like this than a normal meal if I'm perfectly honest. When out for dinner I eye up the dessert menu to make sure there's something excellent to look forward to. I completely understand when children say they are full but their pudding tummy isn't! But I am completely aware this isn't a sustainable or adult way to function. So I treat myself

It’s cold, rainy and just fairly grim in Birmingham this week. Yesterday was the so called Blue Monday, where it seemed socially acceptable to be depressed and notice the lesser points of life. This so called day only first appeared in our lives in 2005, brought around by a holiday company – yes the weather is always bad, generally we all have a bit less money after Christmas and all the hype to keep up with New Year’s Resolutins and ‘be a new you’ is a bit suffocating, but

What do you snack on in the day time? Fruit? Chocolate? Biscuits or cake? We all need a little pick me up during a long day or sometimes to help make the hours stuck at the office desk go just that little bit faster. Marc and I vary snacks for work, ranging from cherry tomatoes, "snack bars", homemade cakes to fruit. Or whatever might be lying around, but it can get a little boring and you never truly know what is in something unless you've made it yourself. Our recent dri