Spotted on Ebay...

How cute?! I actually squealed with delight when I saw these but have never tried baking with ceramic moulds before...

Anyways, the thought of baking with traditional stone moulds inspired me to search for a traditional gingerbread recipe and I stumbled across this gem! Researchers from the University of Manchester have managed to dig up an original recipe that dates back to the time of the Crusades, when spices like ginger made their way into Europe with the knights returning from the Holy Land. So, without further ado, here it is:

Ingredients:

2lb Plain Flour

1tsp Bicarbonate of Soda

2tsp Ground Ginger

1tsp Allspice

1tsp Cinnamon

1tsp Cloves

12fl oz Molasses

8oz Brown Sugar

3 oz Vegetable Shortening

6fl oz Cold Water

Instructions:

Cream the sugar and shortening, add molasses and water, then gradually add the dry ingredients until a pliable dough is formed.

Leave to stand for 2 hours before rolling into shapes.

Bake at 175 degrees for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

TA-DAAAAAAA! Now sit down and enjoy this mini medieval miracle with a nice mug of mead!

And yet *more* novelty bakeware...

After being alerted to these by I Heart Cupcakes' blog, I can now reveal that the much-coveted (by me, anyway!) Nomskulls will be stocked by Totally Funky for the bargainous sum of £11.99! Roll on Halloween... :o)

More novelty bakeware...

...because you can never have enough! Ahem. For your delectation today, I give you the sandwich cake mould, possibly the best thing since sliced bread...ho ho!

Made by the same people who brought you the quite-amazing Teacupcakes (they're called Fred, by the way), this baking beauty costs no more than £20 and is available from the usual suspects: ShinyShack, Prezzybox, Iwantoneofthose, thedesignerbox and other establishments of that ilk.

They've also come up with these...ABC (Already Been Chewed...clever!) cookie cutters - cute ickle gingerbread, but with a sneaky missing bite! Om nom nom...

If you find people keep nicking your bikkits, whip up a batch using these and watch people give them a wide berth! Possibly. Priced around £6.99 for a set of three, ka-ching!

Crazy for cupcakes...

As seems to be de rigeur at the moment, I am *obsessed* with cupcakes. For absolutely ruddy ages now, I have lusted after this cupcake-shaped baking tin and joy upon joys, it has been reduced by those lovely folk at Prezzybox to the bargainous sum of £24.60. Huzzah! Offer ends 19th July, so if you want one, be quick!

However, before you part with your hard-earned pennies, it's worth mentioning that ShinyShack are now stocking a silicone giant cupcake mould which is not only cheaper at £16.99, but it features a very nifty central insert that allows you to add all manner of tasty fillings...genius!

Also available at both aforementioned retailers (and other stockists too!) are TEACUPCAKES! Combining my two very favourite things in life, this is sheer cuteness overload! Perfect for an Alice-in-Wonderland style party or just to add a touch of whimsy to afternoon tea, these silicone cupcake moulds (with matching saucers!) are less than £15 for four. Splendid.

Baking for Britain...

Show some love for Blighty with these great cookie cutters from RE; at just £4 for two they're a veritable bargain! Om nom nom...