Made with love

Ingredients (Serves 12) ◆ 140g dairy or plant butter ◆ 45g golden caster sugar ◆ 185g plain flour ◆ 50g golden syrup ◆ 45g each flaked almonds, sultanas and glacé cherries ◆ 25g chopped mixed peel ◆ 2

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

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

As a child, a treacle tart appealed mainly because of its sweet and sticky texture. As an adult, that intense sweetness can be a little overwhelming – a bit saccharine. In this version I wanted to kee

■ 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

Keep a level head in the kitchen with this easy, elegant menu from the unflappable North Yorkshire-based chef Ruth Hansom