Try though I may to be organised I’m resigned to the fact menu planning is not my forte. I’m more often than not driven by what I feel like on the day, what time allows and what’s in the fridge. Now before you stop me, I know…it’s chicken and egg. If I planned, the fridge would be full of the ingredients I need. But if I did that I might not feel like what’s on the menu…See my dilemma.

Simple butter, sugar and vanilla mingling together really are the very best of friends and often keeping it simple and letting these three ingredients shine in baking makes the best of comfort foods. But we all know there’s an encyclopaedic collection of variations on that theme right? I mean seriously we could fill a whole internet on the many ways to combine these three key elements and methods by which to create that squishy goodness. One of my favourites is the classic melt and mix. Its quick, easy and always your best friend when you’re in a rush to feed hungry hoards. It’s also a brilliant base to work from. My favourite is Brown Butter Chai Cake.

What’s your thing?