Sweet comfort: marble cake

As simple as it is, the appeal of the marble cake probably goes back to it being a childhood cooking memory. I do not like marble cakes made in all kinds of strange colours. I make mine with a mixture of plain vanilla and chocolate. Actually it is not my recipe - I use this one, from BBC GoodFood.

Marble Cake

225g butter, softened
225g caster sugar
4 eggs
225g self-raising flour
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp cocoa powder

Heat oven to 180C/gas 160C/gas 4. Grease a 20cm cake tin and line the bottom with a circle of greaseproof paper. If you want to make life easy, simply put all the ingredients (except the cocoa powder) into a food processor and whizz for 1-2 mins until smooth. If you prefer to mix by hand, beat the butter and sugar together, then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Fold through the flour, milk and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.

Divide the mixture between 2 bowls. Stir the cocoa powder into the mixture in one of the bowls. Take 2 spoons and use them to dollop the chocolate and vanilla cake mixes into the tin alternately. When all the mixture has been used up (and if young kids are doing this, you’ll need to ensure the base of the tin is fairly evenly covered), tap the bottom on your work surface to ensure that there aren’t any air bubbles. Take a skewer and swirl it around the mixture in the tin a few times to create a marbled effect.

Bake the cake for 45-55 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Turn out onto a cooling rack and leave to cool.

The quickest indulgence: cinnamon puffs

I like my snacks. I like them sweet or savoury, depending on my mood. But, I am a girl with limited patience, so I like them to be ready soon(ish). These little bites of cinnamon and pastry heaven are just what I need to pick me up after an exhausting day when I need something a little indulgent yet comforting. 

They store well and make great additions to lunch boxes too. Although, I like them best soon as they are made. But then that might be something to do with my lack of patience too. 

These are just so simple that they don't really need a recipe but I have indicated the steps I follow.

Cinnamon Puffs

Frozen puff pastry sheets

Melted butter

Ground cinnamon (best if you grind it yourself)

Brown sugar

Brush pastry sheets with melted butter. Cut into desired shapes. I like to cut them into 3 x 1 inch rectangles. Place them on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake in a hot oven till the pastry has risen and is golden. This will take about 20 minutes.

Try not to burn your mouth as you sample the just-out-of-the-oven puffs.