Notes about Recipes in this book

• Choux pastry

  • Beth891 on July 28, 2024

    Pretty good recipe, well talked through but not my favourite choux recipe. I did dollops this time for profiteroles but I much prefer piping them.

• Oat and yoghurt soda bread

  • Beth891 on July 26, 2024

    I recommend this recipe:) I made half quantities (so one loaf enough for about 4 people or more) and substituted white spelt for wholemeal and rolled oats for oatmeal and it worked great. I almost never have buttermilk in but always have yoghurt so great to find a recipe using yoghurt instead. I baked at 200 in my top oven and gave it just over 30 mins. It was well risen with a nice golden brown crust. The spelt was delicious but I'd try wholemeal too and I'd definitely make again!

• Scones

  • JayHarley on January 28, 2026

    I was fortunate to have Fiona Burrell, one of the authors of this cookbook, teach me at Edinburgh New Town Cookery School. Not as flashy and glossy as some celebrity chef cookbooks, but this delivers no nonsense, dependable, repeatable recipes along with detailed how to guidance. All the Leith’s ‘Bible’ series do.

• Carrot and orange muffins

  • alexthepink on October 03, 2019

    Delicious and easy to make. The kids loved them.

• Butternut and peach muffins

  • Beth891 on August 22, 2024

    Tasty but not my favourite in the Leith's book. I felt like there was too much flour when I was mixing and added a splash extra milk so it wasn't as tight. I reduced the sugar to 200 and they are still pretty sweet so if I made again I would reduce it further. Also added roughly a TSP of cardamom and it was nice but could have added more. I cooked them at 180 fan, for 18 mins and then swapped trays and gave them another 2 mins. The batter made 15 smaller sized muffins. I really like the peach and butternut squash in muffin mix but the muffin is a little heavy and sweet for me so if I made again I'd find a carrot cake muffin recipe and swap in the butternut and peach.

• Sweet potato and apple muffins

  • Beth891 on January 19, 2024

    Delicious! Almost accidentally undercooked these as the skewer was coming out clean but they needed another 5 mins. I think they probably need about 25-28 mins in my oven. Wait until they are properly spring back when touched. Really tasty and a massive hit with everyone.

• Squashy rhubarb cake

  • alexthepink on November 25, 2019

    Delicious and very squashy! The amount of rhubarb seems like way too much, but I kept faith and it turned out perfectly. I used slightly more sugar with the rhubarb filling as 1tbsp didn't seem like very much. The filling is slightly tart, which I like. A keeper.

• Hot cross buns

  • knittingfrog on April 23, 2015

    Not enough salt... Probably would need around 1 tsp. As per recipe result had good texture but was bland.

• Citrus polenta cake

  • alexthepink on June 12, 2019

    Absolutely delicious, light and moist. One to make again.