Cakes

Scones

Paul Lynch
Makes about six fair sized scones. To be honest, I prefer to double up quantities. Scones 220g / 8oz self-raising flour pinch of salt 60g / 2oz butter 30g / 1 oz caster sugar 60 - 120ml/2 - 4 fl oz milk Mix the flour and salt, then rub in the butter to reach a breadcrumbs texture. Use cool butter (and cold hands), and you can cut it into the flour with a knife before finally rubbing in with your fingers.

Everyday Chocolate Cake

Paul Lynch
I think this may be a Nigella recipe, or it may have come from a magazine. Ingredients Serves 6 Prep 15 min Cook 40 min 150g dark, bitter chocolate 125g butter 3 eggs 150g sugar 150g self-raising flour, sifted 1/2 tsp vanilla extract METHOD Heat the oven to 180C/Gas 4 (160C for a fan oven). Lightly butter a 20 x 10cm loaf tin. Combine the chocolate with the butter in a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water.

Passion Sponge

Paul Lynch
The filling is from Delia Smith. 6 ripe passion fruit 250g mascarpone 200 ml fromage frais 1 dsp caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract Mix the creams, sugar and vanilla. Add about 2/3 of the fruit pulp. Spread half the mix on the bottom layer of a victoria sponge, then add the rest of the pulp. Top with the remaining half of the cream, then the top layer of the cake.

Bara Brith

Paul Lynch
From Mary Berry. 170g/6 oz currants 170g/6 oz sultanas 225g/8 oz light muscovado sugar 300ml/10 fl oz strong English tea Mix together and leave to soak overnight. 185g/10 oz self raising flour 1 egg Stir in. Grease and base line with greaseproof paper a 2 lb loaf tin. Bake for 1.5 - 1.75 hour at 150C.

Brownies

Paul Lynch
This one comes from Mary Berry, and produces an exquisitely rich and squishy brownie. 340g/12 oz dark chocolate, high cocoa content preferred 225g/8 oz butter Put this in a bowl and melt over a saucepan of boiling water. Then add a small shot of espresso (2 tsp instant coffee and 2 tbs hot water if you can’t manage an espresso). Allow to cool a little before the next stage.

Lemon Squares with Limoncello

Paul Lynch
Serves 6-8 Limoncello, a popular Italian lemon liqueur, injects moisture and a refreshing tang to this flourless cake. If you don’t have a bottle of limoncello in your drinks cabinet, make up a batch of lemon syrup using the juice of a lemon, 4 tablespoons of caster sugar, 3-4 tablespoons of water and, if you wish, a splash of vodka. Boil the liquid for a few minutes until syrupy, then pour over the warm cake as soon as it comes out of the oven.