The research company Mintels latest research shows that home baking grew by 13% between 2007 and 2009, with further growth expected this year. The most common baked item was the standard cake. More excitingly 28% of households baked from scratch at least once a week.

42% of households said they baked at least one large cake in the last year, Cupcakes follow with 39%, batters (such as Yorkshire Puddings) with 37%, biscuits or cookies 29% and sweet pies, tarts and puddings in joint position with 28%. Surprisingly Brownies came bottom of the list with 14%.

Mintel also found cooks are turning away from cookbooks in favour of the internet. Mintel reports that 52% of people now get recipe ideas from websites, against 46% who rely on books. Online recipes are more personal, free of charge and consumers can just print off the recipes they like.

See our recipe for our Sunday favourite.