42 Comments
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Matt Inwood's avatar

Your photos and descriptions make for the best testimonial any author could wish for. Didn't know Louise's book before this post, but on the evidence of these bakes, it looks like a winner. (And that really is an obscene amount of cream cheese frosting!)

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Thank you, Matt - and that's probably the best feedback I could wish for, too! It's truly a stunning book - and the recipes are so delicious. For sure one of those that I'll be going back to time and time again.

And hey, if you're going to do frosting - you might as well go all in!

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Matt Inwood's avatar

Well, quite. My youngest always likes to taste a bit of bun with her frosting, so you have an extra supporter there. ;)

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Ahh see, she has an exquisite palete already!

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Dorottya Becz's avatar

Oh I love these ones too :-) Your photos from the previous post made bake the Tuscan Grape Bread....:-) You are really inspiring with your journey :-)

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Ahhh Dori!! Thank you 😊 And bloody hell - I completely forgot again! I’m so sorry, I’m useless 🤣 Sorry!! I will endeavour to get back to you this week - I’ve added it to my todo list.

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Dorottya Becz's avatar

Again, no worries :-) I also haven't translated the Hungarian recipes for you, so that is on MY to do list :-D

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Grace | Gracie In The Kitchen's avatar

My my my. You’ve certainly got the baker’s golden touch - all of these look incredible. The cardamom buns look like little pieces of heaven, though. And love the image of you giddy clapping round the kitchen!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Gahhh you're so lovely 🥰 Thank you thank you! Honestly, I rarely toot my own horn, but these were bloody good. You've definitely got to give them a go!

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jess's avatar

oh come on, you had us at "comfort, balm and buns" and THEN you throw in the fabulous, mouth-waterig photography!!!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Hahaha thanks love 🥰 you’ve got to give the cardamom buns a go - they’ll change your life x

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Katie's avatar

What gorgeous photos and descriptions! I hadn't heard about this cookbook before, and given the fact that baking with yeast is one of my favorite things to do in the kitchen... well, new cookbook added to the wishlist it is!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Ahh thank you for the kind words Katie! I can wholeheartedly recommend this book - it’s going to be a struggle to put it back in the shelf!

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Kerry Pulleyn's avatar

I’m tempted to buy the book based on the beauty of those blackberry buns. Bravo to you!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Yay! Thanks Kerry 😊 And I can’t recommend it enough - the recipes are so accessible and everything tastes amazing.

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Kerry Pulleyn's avatar

I work in a bookshop with an extensive cookbook section. We might even have it in!! Eek.

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Oh wow - that must be a lush job! How do you resist buying ALL the cookbooks?? 😆

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Kerry Pulleyn's avatar

It’s tricky! I’m looking at ‘Buns’ now!

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Debbie | Behind Shoji Doors's avatar

These three bakes look so PROFESSIONAL!!! Well done to you! Are local cafes putting in any orders for your baked goods yet?? 😁

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Ahh thanks lovely!! It’s been so chaotic with work and renovations at the moment that I didn’t think I’d be able to do them justice - but I’m so pleased with how they’ve turned out 😊

Haha - I’ve not reached out to any yet, but I’ve got my eye on a couple to approach. Maybe even thinking of doing a pop up in the new year? 🙈

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Debbie | Behind Shoji Doors's avatar

That's awesome!! I'd be one of your first customers if I lived local!

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Kerry Faber's avatar

Wow! You should open a bakery!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Haha thanks Kerry - I’d love a microbakery or pop at some point. Will get this year out of the way and see what happens 👀

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Kerry Faber's avatar

Love it!

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Lisa McLean's avatar

Well look at you Mr Baker extraordinaire. !

You had me at the mention of cardamon buns, which I don't think I've ever tasted, but I know they would be totally delicious.

These bakes have officially christened you new kitchen, and what a delight is must have been to be creating in your new space. This book sounds excellent, one I really ought not consider, but yet I do.

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Hahaha thank you! This was my first time trying them too, so I can honestly say as a first timer that you MUST try them!

And thus, you also must buy the book 😉

😮‍💨 it’s so good to have a functioning space again. Makes all the difference

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Lala's avatar

Sweetened cream cheese?! Now, this is something I need to try. I use a coffee bean grinder to crush my whole spices. It works just fine!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

It’s SO good, Lala! Not too sweet that it turns a bit sickly either, it’s just right 👌

And that’s a great tip, thank you!! I’ve just picked one up from the market 😊

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Giovanna Solimando's avatar

Love it all, Mark! Just wish I could taste it :) so is it going to be just two posts from this book?

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Thank you Giovanna 🥰 and it is, unfortunately, as I could quite easily bake every single recipe! I’m thinking of doing a ‘revisited’ series where I go back to books I’ve done for Cook the Books to try more recipes. Just need to noodle on the logistics 😅

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Nikole Miles's avatar

Beautiful!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Thank you Nikole! 😊

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ElisabethM's avatar

Bought Buns today after reading you for the first time.

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Mark Thomas's avatar

That’s amazing Elisabeth! So glad to hear this 😊 Do you have a recipe in mind you’re going to try first?

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ElisabethM's avatar

The cardamom buns will be my first - I've been waiting or the right recipe and Buns looks like it has it. I bake for my farm stand so I have a captive audience - so fortunate! I'll let you know how it goes.

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JP Clark's avatar

Nothing better than a good pair of buns Mark, and your iced cinnamon swirls are just to die for. Seriously though, loved this and gorgeous photography.

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Mark Thomas's avatar

🤣🤣 very true, JP! And thank you so much - really glad you loved it 😊

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Vanilla Black's avatar

Not enough cream cheese frosting. 😜

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Mark Thomas's avatar

90/10 frosting to bun ratio is correct, right?

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Vanilla Black's avatar

Perfect.

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Stephanie Hansen's avatar

Nice job on the photos - craveworthy!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

Thank you so much Stephanie - that means a lot 😊

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