Slice of heaven (+ recipes)

Time for a bit of baking. Slices to be specific. Who can resist a slice of something sweet in the morning or with a cup of tea in the afternoon?

Many of us are descendants of proud home bakers and can feel a real sense of pleasure in being able to offer a delicious homemade treat instead of something store bought when having friends over for a good old natter.

Three baking classics are featured today - but with a bit of a makeover. Louise slice is made with berries and jam and covered with meringue to become a bit more like a combination of queen pudding and louise slice, renamed Queen Louise.

The standard muesli slice is vamped up with the addition of "superfruit" goji berries and the "one a day keeps cancer away" brazil nuts. Forget about the generous amount of butter and it could practically be health food - at least good enough to convince you have another dainty slice ...

Ginger crunch is one of the best in my book but it has to have a topping with plenty of ginger and thick enough for your teeth to sink into on top of a base with just enough crunch. A handful of oats and some roasted almonds added to the base makes for a satisfying outcome.

Successful baking depends on a few key points: don't forget to measure ingredients accurately, set the timer a few minutes less than given in the recipe to allow for variation in oven temperatures and always let baking cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.

CHEF'S TIP

Store baking in separate containers. When putting biscuits and slices or cakes together in a container, biscuits will soften and cakes and slices will deteriorate more quickly.