Brilliant tip Hatty, what do you soak them in?

I've dried fruit, s/r flour and an egg, what else do I need. Don't dislike rock cakes either!

@Sh... I just poured hot water from the kettle over them, then left them for half an hour. You co..

@Se... rock cakes are very similar. I just like scones because they're so quick to do. I tip the mi..

@Ha... thanks, I've lazyitus today but fancy a rock cake - could always butter it if all else fails.

@Se... I've eaten way too much rich food (and far too many chocolates) so now I fancy plain things...

For rock cakes I make a crumble mix, add an egg and sultanas and add milk to get a just dropping con..

@Ja... - I think I could cope with that. Just looked in cupboard, can only find raisins which I'm s..

Perhaps cut raisins up a bit incase they stick out and get burnt.

@Ja... I shall be soaking them first!

Of course!

@Ja... don't you have to put sugar in the mix ?

There used to be a very good independent bakers in the Mall, Heathway and their rock cakes were huge..

@Bo... A basic crumble mix is fat, sugar and flour. Preferably plain but SR fine. Yes have added gla..

I' m getting tempted to have a go - have not made any cakes etc. since the early 70's but then only ..

I've put a good heaped tablespoon of mince meat in mine instead of dried fruit, lovely flavour.

Would soaking my blueberries bring them back to life?

@Bo... - shouldn't be saying this but I do have a packet crumble mix in the cupboard, might try that..

Selsey - That is the only reason I was thinking of doing it

Have a go. I find baking quite relaxing - and you usually end up with something edible. It's strange..

OK - ovens at the ready tomorrow.

Have to try and get some cherries first and would like those sugar bits on top like you get on Bath ..

What gas number and for how long ?

Could you soak fruit in alcohol? Must do some baking soon just don't know who is going to eat it. Al..

@Vi... - all those workmen you have!

@Bo..., Bath buns! - always got them from the bakers near work - really yummy - no bakers around her..

Haven't managed it today. I was given a M & S Christmas floral basket - very large with a handle, to..

Haven't tried yet either, haven't been to shops to see if can get cherries. Done lots of house work ..

Even I managed to hoover today. Sometimes I surprise myself. Only one short walk, though, as it's ju..

Love rock cakes. You also can use caraway seeds

I've been out and bought the cherries but my jeans told me I shouldn't have any more cakes.

Just eaten 3 (flat) ones, very nice. Only trouble was the tops were getting burnt but bottoms needed..

Done them - all went okay until they were in the oven, then they sort of oozed and all stuck togethe..

@Bo... - it's a start! My newish electric oven (only use the small one which I don't think is fan-as..

I have had my gas cooker for almost 11 years but have never used the bottom main oven, it is just a ..

@Se... Is the top line for grill, the bottom for heat from below? Is there a third one with both?

@Ha... - I think the little oven can be the grill as elements on the top but no grill pan supplied. Th..

if you Google the model and make you may be able to download instructions. I am trying to do that wi..

Don't do that yourself! Made me feel even worse now, grown woman can't operate an oven and you're do..

@Vi... topping up the water pressure is simple - once you know how. Do you have the user manual some..

No instructions left. Have downloaded the nearest model I could find but still doesn't mention filli..

@Se... I still have to look at instruction when using my oven as I don't use it often ( use my halo..

@Vi... I know that there's a clock/timer thingy on my induction hob - but I've never had the patienc..

@Ha... - me too, can't even hear the oven one if I'm in another room.

In my last house I set my timer by accident You could programme it to come on at any time. Of course..

@Vi... - sometimes wonder if the world is ready for us!

@Vi... and @Se..., I believe things are best when kept simple. I enjoyed using my makeshift 'kitche..

My oven is new, has lots of settings, is self-cleaning, and can probably sing the Hallelujah Chorus ..

I am glad I am not the only one not understanding instructions. Usually find the demonstration on yo..

@Ha... I understand people are using alcohol to soak some fruit. Christmas cake?

@Lo... I'm sure we used to do that, then add alcohol to the cooked cake too (several times, at in..

Now I've moved on - to vegan pancakes, for breakfast/snacks/desserts. They go nicely with frozen ber..

But forget about stage 5 (transfer to plate to keep warm) just eat them while you cook the next one!

Oh stop please its a long time till breakfast.

@Vi... but I've finished all my chocolate now (except for salted caramel hot chocolate from my Chris..

@Ha... They look good. I've got some frozen black cherries which I think would go well.

Frozen fruit is very handy right now. I just defrost a bowl overnight.

@Le... Do you think it is economical to freeze expensive fruit rather than use tin fruit? unless o..

Tinned fruit I can reccomend is gooseberry. I use a couple of tins for a crumble. Can mix with stewe..

Love gooseberries

I was tempted to make a Christmas retro sherry trifle a la my mum with tinned fruit cocktail, jam Sw..

I still make similar. Use tinned mandarins. Proper custard.

@Ja... Forgotten about tinned mandarins. I can't eat the supermarket trifles, so so sweet.

@Lo... Not sure Lonicera - most of fruit in my freezer is from garden or picked locally. I saw th..

@ma... That sounds like a normal trifle to me, though swiss roll is surprisingly difficult to buy th..

@Le... Yes raspberries at Christmas with flaked almonds on top of cream.

@Le... yes but I think cooking has become a bit " poncey" over time and these traditional dishes h..

@ma... I lurve trifle!

Will you all stop --- my tongue is hanging out.Can recommend the tinned mandarines even the cheapest..

@ma... Fully agree with "poncey"

I don't like sloppy trifle. My brother made one using tinned custard and me and dad had to tell him ..

Has everyone joined the new cookery group?

Made myself a small trifle for Xmas and managed to eat it over 4 days.Chocolate Swiss roll with amar..

Sorry the new group is called ‘What’s cooking’

I thank Hatty for her tip on her fruit in her scones but this post has gone a bit off topic and has ..