Oh Wow!  Just got back from a fantastic day at the Chocolate Festival at Bristol’s Harbourside.  It’s the first time it’s come to Bristol and it was fantastic.  Lots of wonderful displays from artisan chocolatiers but my favourites were definitely Duffys and Sir Hans Sloane.  The lady from Duffys was really informative and had all the time in the world to explain South American beans to me and my daughter, Emma.  Emma’s favourite : the 83% Dark followed closely by the salted milk chocolate with cocoa nibs.  I loved them all!  Thank you to Duffys for the whole cocoa beans they kindly gave us to try back at home.  But the absolute highlight for me personally was finding Bill McCarrick from Sir Hans Sloane just a couple of stalls away.  We had to try the chocolate with hay as I’d heard so much about it and to meet the man himself was overwhelming.  I think I may have been a bit awestruck and I apologise to Bill for this.  But for someone like me who is so interested in the whole bean to bar process and has a copy of Chocolate Unwrapped by the side of the bed, meeting Bill was just amazing!  We’ll be going back tomorrow for more and I promise to be calmer in the presence of Mr McCarrick!!

Chocolate Festival Bristol… is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

Well they’ve arrived.  Tyntesfield now have our gluten and wheat free cupcakes in time for Easter.  Both chocolate and vanilla flavours will be available in the Restaurant and the new Pavilion Tearooms.  These will be in addition to our gluten and wheat free carrot cake and brownies.  So if you’re looking for somewhere to take the children over the Easter break pop along, there’s plenty for them to explore now the House has re-opened and don’t forget to let us know what you think…

Gluten and wheat free cupcakes… is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

Testing gluten and wheat free grains today versus gluten and wheat free flour blends.  Will need to check xanthan gum levels each time.  Flour blends such as those available from Doves Farm are useful for many reasons but sometimes a particular texture is what you want and single grains can help to achieve this.  Rice flour is a particular favourite of mine at the moment.  Don’t forget to make sure your baking powder is also gluten free.  Dr. Oetker produce a good one that is easily available at most supermarkets.

Single grains v. flour blends is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

Test running a 14″ madeira cake recipe this morning, just out of the oven and looking gorgeous.  Slice of cake anyone..?!

Anyone for a slice of cake..? is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

Our new gluten and wheat free range for the National Trust is proving extremely popular.  Aswell as our bestselling gluten free carrot cakes and brownies we’ll be adding new products in the coming weeks.  It’s a wonderful place to enjoy a cup of tea now that the sun has finally come out..

Gluten and wheat free range… is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

With a full order book for Saturday deliveries, the chance to order delicious brownies and cupcakes to arrive in time for Mothers Day has now closed unfortunately.  Orders for delivery after Sunday 18th continue as normal.  Amanda

Mothers Day is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

It’s all change at Hill Cottage.  We’re keeping our ever popular Original Brownies but are introducing two new flavours for 2012.  For chocolate purists there’s the new Dark Chocolate Chip Brownie made using 70% cocoa chocolate chips giving an even deeper chocolate hit.  And for a slightly sweeter experience try our new creamy White Chocolate Chip Brownies.  Happy New Year to one and all and we hope 2012 is kind to you.  Amanda

New Year, New Flavours… is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

Only six days left to order our festive brownies in time for Christmas and then your chance of a parcel of warm, rich, delicious brownies to nibble on while the snow falls gently outside is ho, ho, ho – ver!! Sorry…!

Six days and counting… is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

If you would like your brownies delivered in time to go under the tree or into a stocking make sure to place your order by the end of Monday 19th December for delivery by First Class post.  If you’re local to the bakery and we are able to hand deliver your parcel we’ll be delivering up to Friday 23rd December.  Merry Christmas!  Amanda

Nine days to go… is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies

It’s chilling down outside and snow is forecast..!  But don’t worry because we’ve come up with some really special treats this year bringing you three fabulous Brownie flavours for Christmas and we’ve teamed up with the lovely people at Montezuma’s to add some extra chocolatey sparkle.  Take a look now at hillcottagebakery.co.uk and make sure to pass this on so that someone you love knows where to get them from for you this Christmas!!

All of our Christmas Brownies are available now to buy or pre-order.  To pre-order simply buy your chosen Brownies and send us details of when you would like them to be dispatched and we’ll do the rest.  So you can sit back and relax knowing Christmas is under control.

Take care in the snow,

Amanda

Sparkling Christmas Brownies… is a post from: Hill Cottage Bakery - Buy chocolate brownies