Brew and Brownie, York

Woolly hats, puffer jackets and breath in the air. Mulled wine scents on the breeze. The hustle and bustle with the shuffle of feet in a packed market place. It’s Christmas and the market is in town. Even if you’re not there to shop, to soak in the atmosphere is an enjoyment in itself.

Friends from further North join me to take it all in. We have food and coffee and hot chocolates. Browse the stalls, salivate over fudge and chocolate. Dream of gin filled nights from the various stalls and become mesmerised by the gifts that twist and turn and create patterns in the light. The artists draw the crowds. Pastry makers, light builders and homemade jewellery.

What has slowly become a common practice for myself while in town is to visit Brew and Brownie, as the name would suggest for Brownies. Their varieties range daily from Biscoff to mint, to rocky road and more. Stuffed cookies, flans and cakes also line the window tempting the passer-by’s in too. Their brew’s too are a delight if a little small. I’ve seen their Millionaire Shortbreads there before, but never bought one. Brownie was always the way to go, but change is good. Change is great, actually. Maybe even fanbloodytastic.

Now you’ll have to forgive me for not knowing the price of the slice. I’ll venture around the £3.50 mark but I’m not sure. I bought four cakes while I was there. Not all for me, might I add. As slices go it’s a chunky one at 90mm x 45mm x 30mm deep. 30mm of depth is substantial. For some slices this can be a complaint, but here, no, that was a much welcomed depth.

The layers were suitable even. The thicker chocolate balanced the layers though made for some oozing of caramel when biting in. But this wasn’t a problem when the chocolate tastes divine, and the caramel tastes like it was concocted in heaven, truly. I’ve never tasted better caramel. It was creamy, melts in the mouth, full of all the right caramel flavour. No artificial mix ups or stray ingredients. The chocolate didn’t dominate the flavour it balanced it.

As for the base, that stronghold of importance. Its very being to hold the layers aloft, was buttery and soft, borderline moist, it crumbled as shortbread should, not a mess, just silent, tiny crumbles. Its thickness gave you something to hold onto, even the caramel oozing doesn’t reach your skin.

This is the first caramel slice that I ever remember making me go ‘wow’ after the first bite. It smelt great, tasted fanbloodytastic and accompanied my cuppa to a tee.

10 out of 10. THE Best Caramel Slice. Go stuff your face with one, check out the York Christmas market and just soak in the atmosphere of Winter.

Merry Christmas.

Surfing Croyde Bay/Langage Farm, Croyde, North Devon

Sea air and a salty splash in the face. Riding waves and dodging seaweed clumps. Toes in soft sand, toes in wet sand. Cider in one hand, pasty in the other. Caramel slice to follow.

I was down in Devon two weeks ago having a much-needed holiday and we were experiencing some hot weather, windy weather, a splattering of rain and just all round general British weather. Some people groan but I embrace it.

On one warm sunny day, down at the picnic table, set alongside the caravan, I sampled upon a very warm, sticky, but very tasty caramel slice.

Bought from the shop which is either called Surfing Croyde Bay or something else (in coordination with Langage Farms who supply the Barnstaple Tesco with clotted cream) the triangular shaped slice cost £1.75, an extraordinary ridiculous, tourist fuelled price. None the less the slice was welcomed and enjoyed.

(Though the price didn’t concern me too much…as I didn’t buy it).

The first note I scribbled down (on the only decent writing object – the whiskey issue (No.3) of Hot Rum Cow – back page) said “Presentation is artistic, in the sense that it’s a bit messy.” This type of bakery expressionism was partly due to the heat that had melted a good deal of two layers, and partly due to being jostled around in a paper bag. Can’t be helped too much I suppose.

Looks are often deceiving, you have my word on that.