Vegan treats

SERVES 8 | PREP 10 MINS PLUS COOLING | COOK 20 MINS | EASY 10g butter, softened, for brushing200g plain flour, plus extrafor dusting100g polenta1½ tsp baking powder200g caster sugar1 large orange, zes

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

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

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

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

By California Walnuts (californiawalnuts.co.uk) Makes 12 | Prep 10 mins 75g California Walnut pieces100g dried apricots100g dried figs, halved2 tbsp mixed seeds 1 Place 25g walnuts in a food processor