It’s definitely that time of year again. The bit where I get all excited that it’s light in the morning when I wake up, I want to wear light coloured clothes and start believing that spring is here.

Also, as Easter is approaching, it’s semlor time. In Scandinavia, semlor are eaten on Fat Tuesday (also known as Shrove Tuesday) instead of pancakes. They are delicious bread buns with a gorgeous cardamon cream filling. This one comes from the Scandinavian Kitchen on Great Titchfield Street.

I stuffed my face with one whilst drinking tea yesterday evening. Ps. Thanks Marina. You’re a good friend.

i’m much liking cooking with edible flower petals at the moment. these meringues have rosewater and rose petals folded into the cream that holds them together.

I love the process of making them – there is something very satisfying about turning plain old egg white in to something beautifully glossy and light.

next time, I’m going to make them bite sized so they melt in the mouth. yum.

I’ve wanted to make these for ages but was too lazy to whisk the egg whites by hand.

The pink ones have rose water in the shells and buttercream with fresh raspberries as the filling. The creamy ones have vanilla seeds in the shell and are sandwiched with slightly salty caramel.

I now have a new technique to perfect! watch this space…

despite it being absolutely freezing cold on the south bank, it made me resolve to get back on my bike in preparation for many summer outings and picnics. I have neglected it for a little while now.

now would also be a good time to big up bobbin bicycles which really is the best bike shop in london. where a friend of mine called Ted also works. they are all very nice.

So these are basic vanilla cupcakes with small pieces of peach in them and a cream cheese frosting.

They were kind of inspired by the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook but I’ve fallen out with their recipes lately so thought I would do my own thing. I’ve been finding their quantities and cooking times aren’t right so took a chance with these.

They worked out really well and look pretty too!