Sunday is Mother's Day in Ireland and the UK, and there is still time to spoil that special person in your life.
While it might be too late for an online delivery, there are some delicious homemade treats you can make which are sure to impress.
Speaking to The Home Show with Sinead Ryan, Rachel Allen, chef and TV presented, offered some inspiration for gourmet goodies this weekend.
She said there are a range of people who should be recognised on the day, including mother-figures in people's lives, friends, grandmothers, or godmothers.
Her first suggestion was a simple cake, like a "gorgeous, classic Victoria's sponge" or a Swiss roll.
"Something that is simple but straightforward and really delicious," she said.
"A chocolate cake is always divine, any type of cake, a lemon cake or a lemon drizzle cake."
As well as cakes, scones are always "a really lovely treat and transport really well", Rachel said.
She believes these would be the perfect things to drop off at someone's door, presented simply in a box tied with some ribbon.
"There was another little recipe I was thinking of: Macaroons," she added.
These are different from the French pâtisserie macarons, and are made with coconut or almond.
"This recipe is the easiest and I think it's a great one to get little ones into the kitchen," she said.
The ingredients required are:
- 4 ounces of desiccated coconut OR ground almonds
- 3 ounces of castor sugar
- 1 egg white
The method involves slightly beating up the egg white and then mixing it in with the other two ingredients. Bring the mixture into a dough in your hands, divide into spoonful mounds on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and bake at 180 degrees (160 degrees in a fan oven) for around 7 to 10 minutes until they are golden brown.
You can also add other ingredients, such as cinnamon or orange or lemon zest, or dip them into melted chocolate when cooled.
Another option is placing your finger on top of the biscuit and creating a small dip and placing jam in the space before baking.
Macaroons will then last for a week after baking.
Rachel will be sharing other simple treat ideas for Mother's Day on her Instagram page over the weekend.
