There is nothing so satisfying as fi lling a store cupboard with your own home-made preserves and impressing family and friends with mouth-watering cakes you baked yourself. Two books from the Women’s Institute can help you make the most of seasonal ingredients and prepare cakes that are perfect every time.

Preserves

Whether you are a devoted fan of pick-your-own farms or have your own kitchen garden producing more than you can eat, this book is for you. Stocking your larder full of tasty and colourful preserves is easier than you think, makes use of seasonal ingredients and avoids wasting good fruit and veg. And nothing is more appreciated by friends and family than the gift of home-made jam or chutney.

You will be guided by WI expertise through the preserving process without the need for special equipment and hours of stirring and waiting. Choose from traditional favourites such as strawberry jam (with a version for the freezer), mint jelly, grapefruit marmalade, lemon curd and green tomato chutney. Or, if you want to be more adventurous, try making Membrillo, zesty blueberry marmalade, rosehip jelly, date and banana chutney or sweetcorn and red pepper relish.  This book has recently been released in paperback, price £9.99

Cakes 

The WI is known for encouraging home baking skills and this book is full of tried and tested advice built up through years of experience – between the covers you’ll fi nd tips on everything from making a classic butter cream icing to avoiding a sunken sponge.

You can find a recipe for every season – comforting tea breads, spiced apple and cinnamon cake, richly indulgent sachertorte, light and summery lemon ricotta cake and a sticky honey and pine nut cake.

Try your hand at wholesome breakfast muffins, pretty rose fondant fancies, or make any of the delicious cupcake recipes to celebrate a special occasion.  ese simple recipes will produce impressive results for beginners and experts alike. Cakes is published in hardback price £14.99 

Book of Preserves This book has recently been released in paperback. It is available from bookshops and online via www.theWI.org.uk/WIbooks

For a complete list of WI books, please send an sae to ‘Booklist’, WI Enterprises Ltd, 104 New King’s Road, London SW6 4LY.

Cakes is published in hardback and is available from bookshops and online via www.theWI.org.uk/WIbooks