Easter Sunday special!

It’s been a nice, creative week for us — a mix of DIY projects, a bit of thoughtful gifting, and plenty of baking along the way. Busy, but in a really good way, just taking the time to enjoy making things and getting ready for Easter. --- 🍫 Chocolate Cake 🧾 Ingredients • 450g plain flour • 650g sugar • 155g cocoa powder • 1 tbsp baking soda • 1½ tsp baking powder • ¼ tsp cardamom powder • 1½ tsp salt • 4 large eggs • 350ml buttermilk • 350ml warm water • 115ml vegetable oil • 2 tsp vanilla essence --- 👨‍🍳 Method 1. Mix dry ingredients In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cardamom, and salt. 2. Add wet ingredients Add the eggs, buttermilk, warm water, vegetable oil, and vanilla. 3. Mix Whisk everything together until smooth. The batter will be quite thin — that’s normal. 4. Prepare tins Grease and line your cake tins. 5. Bake • Oven: 180°C (160°C fan) • Bake for 30–40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean 6. Cool Let cakes cool in the tins for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a rack. --- 🔥 Pro Tips • The cardamom adds a subtle flavour boost — don’t skip it • Thin batter = super moist cake • Use good quality cocoa powder for a richer taste • Perfect base for frosting or stacking --- 🍪 Ultimate Gingerbread Cookies 🧾 Ingredients • 350g plain flour • 1 tsp baking soda • ½ tsp salt • 1 tbsp ground ginger • 2 tsp ground cinnamon • ½ tsp ground cloves • ½ tsp ground nutmeg • 115g unsalted butter (softened) • 100g dark brown sugar • 160g molasses (or black treacle) • 1 large egg • 1 tsp vanilla extract --- 👨‍🍳 Method 1. Mix dry ingredients together 2. Cream butter & sugar until light and fluffy 3. Add molasses, egg & vanilla 4. Combine into a dough 5. Chill for 1–2 hours 6. Roll out (about 5mm thick) and cut shapes 7. Bake at 180°C (160°C fan) for 8–10 mins 8. Cool before decorating --- 🔥 Pro Tips • Use black treacle for deeper flavour • Slightly underbake for soft centres • Add a pinch of black pepper for a subtle kick • Light flour dusting if dough gets stick