Baking

This whimsical cake, with its swooping piping, vivid hue and decorative blooms, is destined to be the centrepiece of your afternoon tea. Be sure to check your flowers are food safe

"We do a version of these carrot cakes in the restaurant and everyone loves them, but it’s a bit too complicated for home cooking. So, my pastry chef has created this simplified version, which combines flavours that are very Mediterranean – rose water, yogurt and walnuts – with the sweetness of carrot" says chef Shadi.

Milk chocolate is perfect paired with the nutty sesame in this cake

Cottage cheese – that dieting classic of the 1970s – is having an in-the-spotlight moment, going viral on social media with influencers who are using it in everything from flatbreads to spreading it on toast. Here it makes a batch of gluten-free brownies super moist and rich

All the squidge of a brownie but bursting with lemony freshness instead, these make a great elevenses treat on a bright spring morning. Use a good-quality lemon curd with plenty of tang and don’t overmix it through the batter – the little pools of lemon curd taste heavenly when you bite into them.

These lovebug cookies are the perfect edible craft for cooking with kids. or making for your Valentine

The malty, bitter flavour of stout is a match made in heaven with chocolate. This full-flavoured ale is also great in hearty stews and pies, or in place of wine in a classic French onion soup.

A luscious dark chocolate loaf, this is lower in fat and calories than your average recipe (despite the indulgent chocolate glaze), due to using a combination of yogurt and vegetable oil instead of butter. Follow our tip to make it gluten free