A few months ago, gripped by baking fever, I purchased Mary Berry's Baking Bible. I quickly decided to embark upon a mission to bake everything in the book, and turn myself from an occasional baker into a bit of an expert. My Grandad Ern was a Master Baker by trade; the man responsible for introducing Danish Pastries to England in fact, and I wish it had occurred to me to spend more time learning from him, rather than simply enjoying the fruits of his effortless labours. This project is almost a way of making amends for that; I'd like to follow in his footsteps (if not in my career, at least as a hobby) and continue the proud heritage of baking in my family.
I credit my friend Rachel with the idea to write a blog about my baking exploits, hoping that there will be more successes than failures as I attempt all 213 of the Queen of Baking's recipes.
So as not to bore the husband with a monotonous diet of sponges, followed by weeks of biscuits, I've decided to tackle the recipes by selecting the first bake from each chapter, followed by the second recipe and so on. I'm not going to pick and choose; I'm determined to face my baking demons and learn how to do everything baking-related, even if the consequences are disastrous!
Everything will be photographed, with comment about how I found baking it, and a husband rating (to be taken with a pinch of salt as he has a very selective cake-tooth).


Sunday, 4 February 2018

104. Chocolate and Vanilla Pinwheel Biscuits

I baked these way back in October (what a surprise, I'm behind on my blog again), and I recall rushing them, hence their rather 'crude' appearance. I seem to remember enlisting my daughter's help, as it says in the book that 'young children can easily make these'. However, I also recall it all getting a bit sticky and messy and me telling Elizabeth that it would probably be best if I just did them myself. It was all a bit fiddly, with the making and chilling of two different mixtures, and then I got myself in a bit of a muddle rolling the two doughs together; accidentally placing the chocolate one on top.
I didn't cut them very well, so they came out as ovals rather than circles, and like Mary's version in negative. They didn't look very appetising, and didn't taste anything special either. Quite bland in actual fact!
Baker's verdict: not as easy to make as Mary suggests, due to the moistness of the mixture. I'd probably give them another shot when I wasn't so rushed though. Could do with having a bit more flavour.
Husband rating: not even going to bother asking for one as he won't remember, and then I'll just feel even more fed-up that I don't have time to bake or blog.

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