22 h. ago Benjamina Ebuehi’s recipe for yoghurt panna cotta with banana and tahini crumble | The sweet spot

A dessert or fun breakfast to satisfy your sweet cravings without being too rich or heavyI’m of the opinion that we still need dessert in January. In a month that’s typically grey, dreary and ridiculously long, it’s the little things that spark joy. Granted, I’m not necessarily reaching for anything too rich or heavy, but when I’m craving a bit of sweetness, the likes of this yoghurt panna cotta really hit the spot. If you squint, it could easily be mistaken for a fun breakfast pot. Continue reading...

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7 d. ago Helen Goh’s recipe for an espresso martini pavlova bar | The sweet spot

A selection of meringues, boozy cherries, coffee mascarpone and whisky caramel to mix and match until Big Ben strikes and beyondYour favourite cocktail is now a DIY pavlova party! Pile crisp coffee meringues high with espresso cream, boozy cherries, a drizzle of whisky caramel and a flicker of edible gold leaf, then shake, spoon and sparkle your way into the New Year. A few tips: arrange the toppings in glass bowls or on tiered trays for a beautiful display, add labels for fun and, if it’s sitting out for a while, keep the whipped cream chilled on ice. Continue reading...

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1 week ago Review: Majority Quadriga marries the CD player with streaming music

'All-in-one' music system targets the sweet spot between vintage and modern

Sport

2 w. ago Benjamina Ebuehi’s pistachio and cherry meringue cake recipe | The sweet spot

Have a very chewy yuletide with this sumptuously layered meringue smasher that pumps pavlova up a levelI’m switching up my usual Christmas pavlova this year for a slightly different but equally delicious meringue-based dessert. Discs of pistachio meringue are baked until crisp, then layered with pistachio cream and cherry compote. The meringue softens a little under the cream as it sits, giving it a pleasingly chewy, cake-like texture. A very good option if you’re after a Christmas dessert without chocolate, alcohol or dried fruit. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago 'Stop washing at 40c' as Scientists reveal the laundry 'sweet spot'

The setting will keep your clothes fresh and looking good for as long as possible

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3 w. ago How to use a spent tea bag to make a boozy, fruity treat – recipe | Waste not

Save a used teabag to flavour dried fruit, then just add whisky for a boozy festive treatA jar of tea-soaked prunes with a cheeky splash of whisky is the gift you never knew you needed. Sticky, sweet and complex, these boozy treats are wonderful spooned over rice pudding, porridge, yoghurt, ice-cream or even panna cotta.Don’t waste a fresh tea bag, though – enjoy a cuppa first, then use the spent one to infuse the prunes overnight. Earl grey adds fragrant, citrus notes, builders’ tea gives a malty depth, lapsang souchong brings smokiness, and chamomile or rooibos offer softer, floral tones. It’s also worth experimenting with other dried fruits beyond prunes: apricots, figs and/or dates all work beautifully, too. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago Nutcracker stocking fillers: Brian Levy’s recipe for sugar plum and coffee cookies | The sweet spot

A rich, buttery crumb, a hint of bittersweet coffee, a spot of icing and a cherry on top better gift them before you scoff themThese festive cookies are inspired by The Nutcracker’s Land of Sweets sequence, in which coffee and sugar plums are two of the flavours used to conjure a fanciful world of decadent diversion. Anything from a hard candy to a candied fruit can qualify as a “sugar plum” and, in the case of these cookies, the sugar plum is represented by the amarena cherry. Coffee’s bitterness balances the sweetness of the fruit and the rich butteriness of the dough, while the oat flour adds a dash of shortbread-like delicateness.Brian Levy is the author of the Formal Assignment newsletter and Good & Sweet, published by Avery at £35.99. To order a copy, visit guardianbookshop.com Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago I'm A Celebrity fans spot sweet moment Aitch falls in love with Shona McGarty

Rumours of a romance between Aitch and Shona McGarty have been rife on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! and now fans reckon the rapper is smitten

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4 w. ago Helen Goh’s recipe for edible Christmas baubles | The sweet spot

Chewy, marshmallow-coated Rice Krispie baubles that are as fun to make as they are to giftThese edible baubles make a joyful addition to the Christmas table or tree. Soft, chewy, marshmallow-coated Rice Krispies are studded with pistachios and cranberries, chocolate and ginger, or peppermint candy cane; they’re as fun to make as they are to eat, and they make a perfect little gift. To add a ribbon for hanging, cut small lengths of ribbon, then loop and knot the ends. Push the knotted end gently into the top of each ball while it’s still pliable, then reshape around it, so it holds the knot securely as it sets. Alternatively, wrap each bauble in cellophane, then gather at the top and tie with a ribbon, leaving a long loop for hanging. Continue reading...

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