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let's get rollin'

Spring has sprung and that means the sun is shining, summer fruits are on their way and I'm starting to think about Christmas treats.

But for those in the Northern hemisphere, I know you're probably feeling all the fall things. I'm seeing so many pumpkin bakes, cinnamon sweets and apple desserts.

So this month, I've created two new recipes. The first one, I've been trying to create for years - a simple Vanilla Swiss Roll that doesn't crack. If you've ever been scared to try making a rolled cake, this is a great place to start. I'll help you master it!

The second is a spring/fall treat that I owe inspiration to my blueberry-loving one-year-old. Think blueberry crumble meets tea cake. It DOES NOT disappoint.

In my kitchen, I've been making my Lemon Drizzle Cake (I forgot how good that one was!), my Buttermilk Pancakes (always, always, always have these in my freezer) and my New York-style Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Let's get baking! ❤️

vanilla swiss cake roll

After watching (and rewatching) The Great British Bake Off season 12, I've become obsessed with baking Swiss roll cakes. I couldn’t believe how tricky they were, and yet how beautiful they could be when they turned out.

Does anyone else remember Giuseppe’s mini cake rolls in episode 1?

Last year I perfected my Chocolate Cake Roll recipe. It is still one of my favourite things to make. Ever since then I’ve been longing to make a vanilla version – so here we are! Thankfully, it was surprisingly easy to adapt my Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake to be sweet vanilla.

Step by step photos to guide you along the way.

I removed the cocoa powder, added a little extra flour and doubled the vanilla. I also added jam as well as whipped cream – reminiscent of the store-bought swiss roll cakes from my childhood.

The result was heavenly! A soft, tender sponge cake that just about melts-in-your-mouth, filled with sweet jam and homemade whipped cream.

And thankfully, just like my Chocolate Cake Roll I had no issues with cracking during my recipe testing process. Win win! Just be sure to read Jess’s Recipe Tips for all my best advice on how to prevent your cake from splitting or cracking.

Vanilla Swiss Roll Cake Recipe

blueberry sour cream coffee cake

I was recently struck by a moment of inspiration that I can thank my one-year-old for. He is obsessed with blueberries and could eat a whole tray in one sitting.

Since beautiful, big, sweet blueberries are in season here, I thought what if I could create a thick, one-layer cake studded with fresh blueberries, topped with a buttery crumb and drizzled with a sweet, drippy vanilla glaze?

And so I set off to create exactly that. I took inspiration from my favourite Coffee Cake recipe, but used sour cream for extra richness and a mountain of plump blueberries.

I made the same cinnamon filled crumb and then added a simple glaze, just like we do in my popular Cinnamon Apple Cake. The result was H-E-A-V-E-N.

The blueberries are juicy, the crumb is buttery and the cake is bursting wth cinnamon goodness. This Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake is now in my regular rotation.

I hope it makes it into yours as well.

Blueberry Coffee Cake Recipe

what you're loving right now

"Wow, these cookies are amazing! Made 2x recipe (first time, why not?) with a little less sugar for my sister’s family and everyone loved them. Can’t wait to make them again!!! These cookies have opened my eyes to what rye flour can be used for beyond rye bread :" - Sarah

Rye Cookie Recipe

"OK, I have made it so many times now that I must leave a comment. As usual, I love your recipes, and this one is no exception! Currently in Laos, people love it over here!" - Lyn