Browning Cakes and Breads

Chocolate and coffee flavours are ideal, as are chocolate and coffee toppings.

To make cakes and breads look browner, use dark flours, dark sugars and molasses.

Icings, frostings and glazes are a microwave bakers' best friend.

Never underestimate the power of food colouring! (One or two drops of yellow food colouring in pastry is particularly effective.)

Sprinkle cakes and biscuits with chopped nuts, cinnamon & sugar, toasted coconut, hundreds & thousands or chocolate vermicelli before cooking.

Sprinkle breads with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, caraway seeds, dried herbs or cracked wheat before cooking - these all add colour and an interesting crust.