Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer: A Golden Treasury of Classic Treats by Jane Brocket
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It was when I saw the recipe for ‘St Clare’s Eclairs’ that I knew something very clear about this book. I am going to marry it. I am in such love with Cherry Cake And Ginger Beer that I can scarcely cope with reviewing it. I shall try though, but do forgive me if every now and then I punctuate a sentence with an increasingly breathless cry of – Chalet School Apple Cake!
I’ve heard about Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer for a long time and had it recommended to me several times on Twitter. Thank you if you’re one of the people who mentioned it to me. I love it. God, I love this book – Amy’s Pickled Lines!
Brocket’s approach is simple, rich and heartfelt (The Borrowers’ Potted Shrimps!). She works her way through a range of chapters which loosely group the recipes together under headings such as Picnic Treats, School Food and Proper Elevenses. And oh, God, they’re brilliant. Every page reveals something new. Something delicious. I want to make St Clare’s Eclairs. I don’t even like Eclairs. I want to make Pollyanna’s Calf’s Foot Jelly even though I don’t think I’ve ever seen a calf’s foot in the shop. I want to make Miss Heliotrope’s Preferred Nice Plain Junket even though I’m still not 100% certain on what Junket is. I love this book. I love the thick, fat love that Brocket has for her subject, and the way she pulls references from all of the right books: The Little White Horse, Ballet Shoes (Doctor Jakes’ Heavenly Hot Ginger Drink!) , The Faraway Tree and so many more.
This book and I were meant to be. I’m in love.
Bad Harry’s Birthday Trifle!
Daisy May Johnson 
Oh my god, I’m going to have to get this book by hook or by crook! I’m so glad you shared this!
I am OBSESSED. Enjoy 🙂
I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying reading this. If only I could purchase it outright! Still, I’m not complaining! I’m deeply appreciative of my Inter library Loan services which came through for this!
Approve! Approve, approve! 😀