'Happiness brownies' and heart cake: There is much to love in Nadiya Bakes

Baking has always been Nadiya Hussain's first true love and in this series, she's sharing food that's full of comfort and joy.

Source: Nadiya Bakes

--- Watch Nadiya Bakes Mondays 8pm on SBS Food, with episodes available after they air at SBS On Demand for a limited time. ---

 

"I very rarely sing - but this brownie makes me sing!" says Nadiya Hussain of the triple-layer decadence she calls her 'Money can't buy you happiness' brownies. "I have this saying that money can't buy you happiness, but brownies can," she says, explaining the name of the tray of delight she cooks up in the eight-part series Nadiya Bakes.

Nadiya with her triple-layer brownies. Source: Nadiya Bakes

Along with those brownies (we've decided we'll call them Happiness Brownies, for short), the series has all kinds of recipes that will make you, and those you bake for, smile. There's ice-cream flavoured cupcakes, ideas for baking on a budget, an eight-layer honey cake, and an episode devoted to savoury bakes, too. 

Here's what you can look forward to: 

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Episode 1: Classic Bakes with a Twist

Nadiya shares her favourite recipes for classic bakes with a twist. Everyday cupcakes are transformed into fun-filled treasures in her strawberry and clotted cream shortcake cupcakes, a traditional scone is given a modern remix in a blueberry scone pizza, while a spicy Asian kick takes a traditional toad-in-the-hole to a new level to create a comforting savoury classic with her seekh kebab toad in the hole. And, finally, the traditional sponge is taken up a notch with mango and coconut flavours that are sunshine on a plate in her mango and coconut yoghurt cake.

Episode 2: Indulgent Desserts

Banana cheesecake Source: Penguin Books / Nadiya Bakes

In the second episode of Nadiya Bakes, Nadiya Hussain turns her attention to desserts to end any meal in style. She kicks things off with her ultimate frozen, no-cheese cheesecake bursting with bananas and blueberries. It's the ultimate spectacular centrepiece, plus it's vegan too. Next up is Nadiya's husband's absolute favourite, a modern take on the retro jam roly poly, served with lashings of steaming custard, and best eaten curled up on the sofa. Comfort food that's guaranteed to lift your spirits. Nadiya also gives us a taste of the Middle East with her take on delicious Lebanese bite-sized treats, perfect parcels of filo pastry, stuffed with a glorious thickened cream, and laced with orange blossom and saffron syrup. Finally, Nadiya shares her tips and tricks for her picture-perfect tutti frutti pavlova.

Episode 3: Savoury Bakes

Nadiya loves pie and starts off with her her chicken and pink peppercorn pithivier - with a whole brie hidden inside. Next, she turns her attention to bread, but instead of making a simple loaf, she goes all out with a cheeky pepperoni pull-apart: a brilliantly creative recipe that has all the flavours of pizza and is so much fun to tear and share. Nadiya's next recipe involves throwing the rulebook out of the window and making noodles. Her chicken teriyaki noodle one-pan wonder is so easy, super speedy, and the perfect fuss-free midweek meal. Finally, Nadiya reminds us all that the joy of baking can come from mastering the basics, so she teaches us her foolproof shortcrust pastry, which she then uses as a delicious base for her bright and beautiful tomato and anchovy galette.

Episode 4: Baking with Chocolate

'Happiness' brownies Source: Penguin Books / Nadiya Bakes

"Baking with chocolate is one of life's great treats," says Hussein as she kicks off this episode, First up it's a brownie, but not any old brownie, this is Nadiya's ultimate 'Money Can't Buy You Happiness' Brownie. Three epic layers of indulgence, starting with the rich brownie base, followed by caramel and hazelnuts, and to finish a luxurious cheesecake topping. Next, Nadiya gives the American fruit cobbler a chocolatey twist creating the perfect stress-free family pudding. Nadiya's elegant snack-sized treacle and star anise madeleines, inspired by her own childhood memories, are the perfect fix for days when only chocolate will do. Nadiya's final bake is nothing short of magical: a decadent chocolate and caramel flan that bakes itself upside down in the oven. Across the series, Nadiya also wants to shine a spotlight on the skills of some of the country's incredible bakers and pastry makers. In this episode, chocolatier Aneesh Popat shares with us his love of this extraordinary ingredient, as he bakes a magnificent chocolate tart.

Episode 5: Bakes To Share

Nadiya with her brioche ring Source: Nadiya Bakes

Nadiya Hussain focuses on something close to her heart, baking delicious treats to share with loved ones. Nadiya comes from a huge family, so baking for others has always taken centre stage in her own home. She kicks things off with her chilli and cranberry brioche wreath, featuring fluffy indulgent dough balls surrounding an entire baked Camembert cheese, creating the ultimate tear and share. Over the years, Nadiya has become an expert in catering for big family gatherings, and she's learnt that there is nothing better for impressing guests than a gigantic stack of delicious desserts. Her mini pecan pies filled with clotted cream ensure that everyone has their own little parcel of perfection. Next, it's a cheat's bread and butter pudding, using ice cream and shop-bought croissants to slash the traditional cooking time, without compromising on flavour. This easy recipe is one of Nadiya's go-to family favourites and a big hit with her kids. To finish Nadiya wows with her mango and black pepper cranachan, a spectacular dessert that's a cinch to make and a joy to share, perfect for warm lazy days.

Episode 6: Baking on a Budget

Nadiya's pretzels are a budget-friendly bake. Source: Nadiya Bakes

Nadiya believes you can create something delicious without breaking the bank or compromising on flavour. One of her golden rules is never to throw anything away, so her potato rosti quiche uses leftover ingredients that many of us have knocking around in the fridge, to create a scrumptious family meal on a shoestring. Baking bread always offers value for money and Nadiya's fluffy onion pretzels are the ultimate satisfying cheap snack. Next, Nadiya's rhubarb and custard kisses turn a few store cupboard staples into beautiful little biscuits that are pretty enough for a special occasion. Finally, Nadiya's signature chocolate fondant, is rich, indulgent, and rustled up for a fraction of the price you would pay in a restaurant. Her guest in this episode is master baker Richard Bertinet, who shares his recipe for frugal but irresistible cinnamon buns.

Episode 7: Biscuits and Bites

Nadiya Hussain with her chicken 'doughnut' parcels. Source: Nadiya Bakes

Nadiya believes that a homemade biscuit is one of life's greatest pleasures so she kicks off with her deceptively simple but beautiful Italian-inspired amaretti biscuits. Next, Nadiya breaks all the rules with her insanely wicked but ridiculously tasty chicken doughnuts, deep fried for the ultimate crunchy exterior and topped with spicy savoury dust. Who says doughnuts have to be sweet says Nadiya! Also on the menu is a colourful tray bake, laced with ginger and turmeric for the perfect bite-sized pick-me-up. Finally, Nadiya shares her recipe for her chocolate-dipped florentines.

Episode 8: Celebration Bakes

Having won The Great British Bake Off and baked Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday cake Nadiya is an expert when it comes to cakes to mark a special occasion. First up is a spectacular eight-layered honey cake with a heart on top that has birthday written all over it. At a glance, this bake looks fiendish, but with Nadiya's fool-proof tips and tricks, it is achievable for even the novice baker. Next is Nadiya's sparkly King Cake, enriched dough filled with a luxurious praline cream, inspired by the New Orleans Mardi Gras and so perfect for a party. Nadiya also shares her recipe for the ultimate hot cross buns. With a pink cross on top and stuffed full of jam, these buns are so delightful they could be baked and enjoyed at any time of the year! For the series finale, Nadiya wows with a spectacular Swedish biscuit tower. Decorated in edible flowers, and with a stash of chocolates hidden inside, it is the ultimate festive centrepiece. The episode also showcases the extraordinary skills of Nastassja Lusengo whose jaw-dropping wedding cakes are like works of art.