Eat the decorations!

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

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

■ Serves 16 ■ Prep 45 mins plus cooling ■ Cook 30 mins 140g unsalted butter, plus extrafor the tin100ml grapeseed or anotherflavourless oil200ml milk3 tbsp yogurt1 tsp vanilla extract2 eggs, at room t

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

Happiness is a perfect pudding made with simple ingredients and a winning recipe, say the founders of Edinburgh bakery Twelve Triangles. Here, they share some of their favourite sweet treats

By The Happy Pear (thehappypear.ie) Serves 6-8 | Prep 15 mins | Cook 20 mins 1 sheet of shop-bought puff pastry, such as Jus Rol4 tbsp The Happy Pear’s Lovely Basil Pesto2 tbsp The Happy Pear’s Sun-dr