Baking With Spirit: The Cider Round-Up

Well, September is nearly over. It's been an odd transitional month where (in Cambridgeshire at least) the weather took on an autumnal feel early on in the month, then suddenly reverted back to summer temperatures just as September rolls to a close. I'm not complaining about this, but having packed away my summer clothes for the year I found I had to stay inside last weekend to avoid the heat - god forbid I should dig out something more weather-appropriate than a jumper.

October is nearly upon us anyway, so I'm sure I'll be regretting my summer clothes' early relegation before long.

For this month's Baking With Spirit I asked you all to bake with cider. It seems that a lot of you had never thought about doing such a thing before, but some of you were brave enough to give it a try. I've got five tasty looking entries for you below, so break out the cider and give them a go to help you welcome in the new season:


I made this Autumn Cake using cider and grated apple and parsnip. It's topped with my favourite cream cheese frosting in existence - if you're not going to make the cake please at least try the icing as it's well worth sacrificing twelve egg yolks.

Craig at The Usual Saucepans is also embracing the autumn this month and has brought some savoury to the table with this Pork, Apple & Cider Pie. Funnily enough I didn't even think about baking savoury items with cider, but it was all Craig could think of. I reckon this makes autumn almost look inviting!

We've got another incredibly autumnal entry next from Ellen at Bake It With Booze. She made this Hard Cider Apple Pie. I advise you to peruse that post - the step by step photos are worth taking the time to salivate over. We're also treated to a little lesson on the effects of adding booze to pastry.

I love this Apple Cider Crumble Traybake from Caroline Makes... Crumble is one of my all time favourite cake toppings - I'm jealous of Caroline's work colleagues, who got to eat this on a break from volunteering. Who needs self-satisfaction for doing a good deed when there is cake to spur you on?!

Unlike the rest of us, Mel at Sharky Oven Gloves is not bracing herself for the grip of winter; over in New Zealand, she is lucky enough to be transitioning into spring. A 'change-of-season' cold struck her at the weekend, however, encouraging her to make this tasty looking Pork Sausage & Cider Crumble. I don't even like meat and my mouth was watering over this.

Thanks to everyone who entered for celebrating a year of Baking With Spirit with me. I really appreciate your entries, and look forward to what you bring to the table in the next twelve months.

There'll be a new challenge on Monday to welcome in October - be there or be square!