Love...the Rustic Baker Winter Collection part 1

I love Winter. All those spices, mince pies, Christmas pudding, brandy butter and lots and lots of Baileys. Yum. It is the season to grab a blanket, chuck a large measure of baileys into a glass and eat fabulous food. This was also the time of year that I received my very first Bundt tin. Be still my beating heart. I had to find a great recipe for this delicious item and so I did. Jo Wheatleys Christmas Cake. Please try it. It is delicious, so light and a great alternative to your usual cake.

I love making mince pies too. I generally use an orange pastry but this year I experimented with adding in cinnamon. This proved to be a great addition to the pastry. Additionally, I also jazz up store bought mincemeat by adding winter pimms, orange zest, dried cranberries and sometimes chopped apple. These make delicious pies. To end my Christmas feast my lovely husband bought me another bundt tin and I was finally able to make my ultimate cake, the Tunnel of Fudge Cake. It has to be eaten to be believed.

So the bakes so far this winter - with a couple of months to go - have been Mince Pies, Christmas Cake, Kugelhopf, Tunnel of Fudge, Christmas Spice Macarons, Ginger & Choclate Cookies

Love.....the Rustic Baker Autumn Collection

So Autumn or Fall for my American readers brings out my love of spices, pumpkin purée and lots of cosy food. My celebration season really starts here. From Halloween, Bonfire Night, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Year, Valentines Day, my birthday and now Youngest Ones birthday. It is a glorious season for me and the family gets to eat my bakes. I simply love pumpkin purée. This love affair started a few years ago when I just used to make pumpkin loaf or pumpkin cupcakes but has taken me to pumpkin pies and macarons. Yum. I also sought out Southern Living magazine that my Mum sent over for me. I drooled at the gorgeous bakes and couldn't wait to experiment. Gotta love Autumn.

These are the best of the bakes this season: Croissants, Purple Meringue, Vanilla Cupcakes, Gingerbread House, Chocolate Macarons, Blackberry Apple Loaf, Millionaire Shortbread, Croissants mark 2, Apple Fantans, New York Cheesecake, Profiteroles with Vanilla Chantilly cream &  Ganache, Pumpkin Spice Macarons, Strawberry Macarons, Quorn Mince & Vegetable pie, Pumpkin Roulade, Apple pie, Halloween Cookies, Pumpkin Duffins, Townies, Chocolate Beetroot Cake, Marmalade Parkin, Pumpkin Pie. <br />