My 'Strike Me Pink Raspberry Jam Cakes'. Inspired by the first P.L. Travers book and Mary Poppins' favourite exclamation of delight, the one she uses when she and Bert enjoy a afternoon treat of winkles, cakes and tea after leaping into one of his pavement pictures. The recipe is in Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer - it's a cinch to make and leaves everyone wondering how on earth you got the raspberry jam inside the cakes.
I'm not wondering...
We made these at school in Cookery classes in the 1960s! We called them Raspberry Buns. A sort of rock cake mixture, but softer - you made a dent in the centre, put in the jam and then pinched it up together again before baking.
Posted by: Penny Peberdy | December 30, 2008 at 15:13
Hello Jane! I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that my wonderful husband got me your book for Christmas... after a lot of not-so-subtle hinting. I knew I wanted it from reading your blog, and though it is set up differently than I anticipated, I am not disappointed at all! It is beautiful! Thank you for sharing the beauty in your world!
Posted by: Mindi | December 30, 2008 at 16:03
I'm not wondering either...as Penny says Raspberry Buns made in school cookery classes in those far off days when children were taught basic cooking skills.
Posted by: Gigibird | December 30, 2008 at 16:03
Has Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer made it to the US market yet? My dd and I were talking about it and while we've seen the first book we haven't seen Cherry Cake yet...
No birds or stuffing at our house either. Poultry allergy--weird, but true.
Posted by: willow | December 30, 2008 at 16:38
hello Jane--
I received your book, Gentle Arts, this holiday and it has become my favorite gift. I'm looking forward to your reading suggestions, as well as trying your bread recipe.
As a young person (I'll be 29 in about a month) raised in a post-women's movement culture, I never grew up with a lot of "domestic role models" but have always been searching for them. You decidedly make the list!
Thanks for your great work! And I'll be enjoying your blog:)
Posted by: Stephanie Hillberry | December 30, 2008 at 17:07
Another request for Cherry Cake in a US edition although I'm sure it isn't an easy project with all the recipes needing translation to US measures,terms and temeratures. I have a British edition of Gentle Art and have made the flapjacks from there a few times I'm not sure I'm up to "translating" a full book's worth of recipes.
Posted by: Julie | December 30, 2008 at 17:45
Oh yes, please a US edition of "Cherry Cake"! That would be delightful!
Posted by: Katherine | December 30, 2008 at 18:39
I'm so glad I'm not alone in not eating much over Christmas - I can't stand any of the traditional Christmas fare, though I cook it for the family. I live on cheese, nuts, fruit and celery during those few days!
Posted by: amanda Ryan | December 30, 2008 at 22:20
And I'm sitting here waiting for the Weekend book to arrive from Amazon! I was in such a dilemma as to which book to treat myself to! Now I want to try those cakes!!
Posted by: boo | December 31, 2008 at 01:10
I also received your book "Gentle Art" for Christmas in the US and I wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying it. I sip from it a little each morning with my coffee before I start my day. I even dreamed of colors inspired by your book one day.
Posted by: Libby | December 31, 2008 at 01:21
I'm very curious about this cookbook - and although I don't know how much of a chef my sister-in-law is, with two little girls I think she may need this. I love the concept!
Posted by: catieP | December 31, 2008 at 02:41
Jane, I'm loving Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer...being transported back to my childhood reading and *yes* I always loved the food bits! I re-read What Katy Did just for the jam tarts. ;-)
Posted by: Jenny | December 31, 2008 at 07:58
Hi Jane,
My husband bought me "Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer" for Christmas - what a wonderful book! I'm looking forward to working my way through the recipes!
xx
Posted by: Victoria Plum | December 31, 2008 at 16:00
Hi Jane! I was just lucky enough to get to London for the first time and finding your cookbook was high on my list of things to do but alas, after several bookshops, I could not find it. So now I'll be ordering it from amazon.uk (please don't tell my husband how mush shipping costs). My vote is for a US version too please! Thanks for all the inspiration and a happy new year to you and you family!
Posted by: Darcy | January 01, 2009 at 00:20
These look scrumptious. I may have to try that!
Posted by: reminisceheirlooms | January 03, 2009 at 22:17
Hi Jane,
I have just made the "Strike Me Pink" cakes ... they are marvellous!! I'm just hoping that I have some left by the time my friends come round for tea!!!
Posted by: Victoria Plum | January 04, 2009 at 13:44
Mmmmmmm just made these with my 2 year old son. They are very, very moorish - I can see how Mary Poppins managed to get through a whole plateful! Quite nice with blackberry jam in the middle too (we ran out of raspberry half way through).
Posted by: Lindsay | January 19, 2009 at 15:51