A CHARITY baking competition is helping to raise dough for East Oxford children’s hospice Helen & Douglas House.

Business group FOCUS held a bake-off, where different businesses across Oxford paid to enter their best cakes and finest pies to be judged by professional chefs.

Mortgage administrator Sandy Blackwood, 22, entered her S’more cupcakes, based on the American campfire biscuit treat.

She said: “They came third in the cupcake category, but the judges had never heard of s’mores which was the whole point, so that was a shame.

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“They were a chocolate cupcake with melted marshmallow on the top, which I went over with a blowtorch.”

The Marcham resident said: “I used my grandmother’s cake recipe. She used to be a cook and I love baking so it’s something that’s been in the family for a while.

“It’s a passion of mine, it’s just a matter of finding the time and the excuse to do it.”

As well as the professional judges, non-bakers could pay to sample the entries and vote for their top bake.

Mrs Blackwood said: “It was a fun way to support Helen & Douglas House with an afternoon of eating too much cake and feeling very bloated afterwards.”

The full results of the bake off and the amount raised for charity will be revealed today.


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