“i make 26,000 mince pies!”

Get the mixing bowls out for traditional cakes and bakes that will fill your home with warming aromas as they cook

Now is the perfect time to prepare for the feasting ahead with these treats bursting with seasonal flavours

Expect lots of admiring comments when you round off your celebratory meal with an impressive prep-ahead dessert

They all started out on different paths – from sales offices to science labs – but each of these professional bakers found purpose and joy in baking. Here, they tell Jill Foster why it has become a passion that continues to nourish their souls

By Francesca Bonadonna (plantifullybasedblog.com) Makes 20 | Prep 35 mins plus chilling | Cook 10-15 mins FOR THE GINGERBREAD COOKIES 113g vegan butter, softened100g brown sugar45ml unsulphured molass

Boxty potato pancakes, crusty pies and ploughman’s platters: hearty autumnal recipes inspired by traditional Irish pub food