You could make your own mince pies for this fudge, but this recipe is so simple and effective it's just easy to use shop bought! If you are a real fan of mince pies, add 2 tablespoons of mincemeat as well as the bashed-up mince pies. A thermometer is handy but not essential to make this fudge.

Adapted from Domestic Sluttery (Dec 2012)
Makes: 30 squares
Cooking time: 20-30 mins, plus 2 hours to cool

Ingredients:
225g butter (salted, or add a pinch of salt to unsalted)
450g caster sugar
One tin condensed milk (397g)
6 mince pies (optional: + 2 tablespoons mincemeat)

I recently got a book by Shauna Sever called Pure Vanilla. I already own her book 'Marshmallow Madness' so I was definitely intrigued by this one as I think a delicate vanilla flavour is very under-rated and under-used when it comes to baking! This recipe is actually from BBC Good Food, but with a touch of vanilla inspired by my new book. I'd never made meringues before but don't be put off - they really aren't as difficult as people make them out to be. I'll be making these meringues for Mother's Day I think!

I got the Scandilicious baking book a few months ago but have only just got round to making anything from it. These truffles are perfect for Christmas time; I imagine they'd make a pretty and thoughtful gift for anyone that likes coconut, however the only thing I'm planning to do with mine is eat them! The recipe in the book uses porridge oats instead of traditional cake leftovers. I also used 'the Kraken' spiced rum to make these; I think the hints of vanilla and caramel are a nice touch and work well with the cocoa powder.