After retiring from professional rugby due to an injury, Jonny Murphy turned his attention to another passion of his: baking. Known to his many online followers as The Hungry Hooker, Jonny creates mouthwatering videos of his homemade bakes, often made with the help of his dear Nanny Mamie (and taste-tested by his Granda Alfie). His debut cookbook, Bakes and Wee Treats, is packed with such recipes, ranging from tried-and-true classics you’ll find in any Irish kitchen to family favourites that conjure up sweet nostalgia.
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To give you a taste of what you’ll find inside this charming cookbook, we’ve rounded up nine recipes – one from each chapter – that highlight some of the classic Irish bakes Jonny loves to whip up in the kitchen with his family.
Morning treats
Tea Loaf
Best served with a generous spread of butter, this fruit-filled classic is the perfect accompaniment to your morning cuppa.
Breads
Irish Batch Loaf
This traditional Irish bread typically comes in batches of two or four. Underneath its chewy, flavourful crust lies a uniquely fluffy, light crumb.
Biscuits and small bites
Flakemeal Biscuits
An old-school classic, For Jonny these chocolate-dunked oat biscuits evoke strong memories of tea and bakes with Nanny.
Cakes
Peach Upside-Down Cake
Upside-down cake is a classic for a reason, and this recipe proves that it’s easier than you think to achieve the perfect caramelised fruit topping and light sponge base.
Traybakes
Diana Bars
Mostly known to Northern Irish bakers, this seven-ingredient traybake flavoured with marshmallows, coconut, and white chocolate is a sweet tooth’s dream come true.
Sweet buns and breads
Treacle Soda Farls
This sweeter take on traditional soda farls – a Northern Irish staple – incorporates the complex caramelised notes of treacle for an added depth of flavour.
Puddings
Rhubarb Tart
Ideal for making the most of rhubarb season in spring, this five-ingredient recipe, made with buttery shortcrust pastry, is a firm family favourite in Jonny’s house.
Celebration bakes
Festive Trifle
The ultimate nostalgic dessert, this trifle recipe brings together easy-to-find ingredients to create an effortless yet impressive centrepiece to round off any family meal.
Homemade basics
Rich Shortcrust Pastry
As seen in these delicious bite-sized Apple Creams, Jonny’s recipe for sweet shortcrust pastry form the basis for a range of delicious bakes (and can be made and frozen in batches).
