recipes for the baking-impaired?

lobbyludd

I've spent nearly 4 decades with the gifted-bakers amongst my friends and family trying to teach/oversee/watching like a hawk whilst I follow their exact instructions and eventually throwing up their hands in despair stating they have no idea what I am doing wrong/different - but I cannot bake anything that requires any degree of rising.

My chocolate brownies are to die for, flat breads/ flapjacks/shortbread/gingerbread biscuits a great success, but cakes/normal breads etc are always a disaster.

I was born under a star configuration that makes the things that work for others useless in my hands so I'm not after any tips. But I'm bored with the repertoire I have, do you have any favourite baking recipes that don't involve "self-raising" (ha!) flour or raising agents?

VickyA_2

This Double chocolate loaf cake is the one I baked when I "returned" to baking. It was fine and no one died whilst eating it!

lobbyludd

thanks Vicky,
that does look lovely!

terra_ferma

Talking from the point of view of an absolute beginner, I found Delia's recipes foolproof, so far, fingers crossed, they've all come out edible.
Even a friend who is terrified of cooking and breaks into a sweat anytime she approaches a stove or oven, has managed to bake decent cakes and scones.
I also have a cheat method... I use my bread maker to make the dough for things like brioche and Bath buns.

lobbyludd

many thanks terra firma - I do have a delia book, but haven't ventured into the baking section...

terra_ferma

Delia also has an online cookery school with a whole section dedicated to baking, with videos showing how to make pastry etc.
the only thing I don't like is how she pushes her own line of bakeware, while in the past she would give impartial advice about tins, lining etc
http://www.deliaonline.com/deliaonline-cookery-school/term1.html