Baking Bookshelf

I suppose I have always been a coffee-table bookworm.

There isn't much which beats opening the crisp pages of a new hardback coffee-table book. From the beautiful photography to the scrumptious recipes hidden within, everything about a new cookbook is delicious.

Sexy, stylish and super-scrumptious - in Cox Cookies and Cakes

The shelf in my bookcase dedicated to cookbooks has grown and grown in recent years with books of cupcakes, vegan delights, easy-peasy student books to my own scrapbook created from recipe cards and newspaper cuttings, displayed for all to see. 

It's not just about the ingredients and measurements, oh no. These kitchen manuals are much more than 'how to's' these days. Some people will never open their trusty copy of 'Domestic Goddess' and read it cover to cover, and nor did I. Until last Christmas....

I was kindly brought Nigella Lawson's 'Kitchen'  and on a snowy, cold and boring boxing day, I began to read it. The book captured the same flirty, witty and dearly delightful tone of her television series. It's only then I started to actually 'read' my cookbooks. 

Another worth reading is Sophie Dahl's book 'Voluptious Delights' The diaries from her kitchen adventures are just as spellbinding as her grandfather's magical tales of marvellous medicines and giant peaches.  

There are so many hidden pieces of gorgeous writing inside Dahl's books

There are so many little gems of wonderful writing hidden inside the pages of cookbooks and it's time you put down your latest chick-lit paperback and took time to read your recipe books.  I'm off to read my two newest editions - The Hummingbird Bakery's 'Cake Days' and the Official Great British Bake Off's 'How to Bake' cookbook. Yum.

Here are some of my favourites I can't help but pick of my shelf and read (even if I haven't got the time or ingredients to actually make anything!)

1. Nigella Lawson's - Nigella Express ...

...the first of Nigella's books I was brought, and still my favourite

2. The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook....

...is my all-time favourite and 'go to' cupcake cookbook.

3. Harry Eastwood's 'Red Velvet and Chocolate Heartache' ....

....Because sometimes creating cakes can be guilt-free! 

4. Cox Cookies and Cake .....

....for days when I want my sweet treats served with added sex appeal!

5. Appetite for Reduction - By Isa Chandra Moskowitz....

......for simmering up some tasty vegan dishes 

Be warned though, reading them may cause cravings for cupcakes, candy, cous cous or curry! 

Let's Get Knitting (or Baking?)

I've been lusting after 'Yarn and Sewing' themed cupcakes and cookies for a while now.

I don't know why and what's brought it on, but Sugar and Meringue's Yarn Ball Cupcakes are so twee that I really am going to have to indulge in some knit-based baking that my Granny would be proud of. You can't leave the blog before 'ahhhing' over their super-cute Button Cookies either. I'm in love.

Having a 'coffee and biscuit' moment recently also meant I stumbled across cookie company, Biscuiteers recipe for knitted cookies in their gorgeous book, the 'Biscuiteers Book of Iced Biscuits' (Buy It) It's full of iced goodness for all occasions and so the fascination continues...

Somehow they just all seem so homely and quintessentially English, and as a non-knitter, it's the closest I'd come to making my own woolly jumper any time soon.

Here's my Top 5 'Knitted' Cookies and Cupcakes...(in no particular order!)

1. Yarn Ball Cupcakes (See the recipe on Sugar and Meringue)

Sugar and Meringue's 'Yarn' Cupcakes

2. Biscuiteers 'Sewing Kit' Biscuits (Visit the gift store or buy the book online to make your own)

Biscuiteer's 'Sewing Kit' Iced Biscuits

3. An ACTUAL knitting patten for a cupcake from Spud & Chloe 

So, you can't actually bake them and yes, I've admitted I can't knit, but I'd love to try and how cute would these delightful knitted cupcakes look on a sweet table at an event? (Get a FREE pattern on the website)

4. Vegan Yum Yum's 'Knit Night' Cupcakes (Visit the Blog or Buy the Book)

These vegan (which gets bonus points from me!) are stunning - and you can see how they are made on You Tube from a demonstration on Martha Stewart HERE. The detail is fabulous and perfect Autumnal and Winter cupcakes...and I do love Marzipan! 

Vegan Knit cupcakes with marzipan 

5. Sewing Machine Cake and Cupcakes from Small Things Iced (Visit the Blog)

To say I'm impressed with the detail and skill on this cake and coordinating cupcakes is an understatement. How amazing is the Singer sewing machine cake and the fabulous pin cushion idea for the cupcakes? There are a few avid seamstresses amongst my family and friends and this cake would be perfect. It'd be a shame to eat it...

Vintage Sewing machine and Pin Cushion Cupcakes

I'm not sure whether I want to bake some knitwear or knit some baking now?