The secret ingredient in many professional layer cakes and a kind of magic to the home baker is called simple syrup and it’s precisely that: a syrup made simply of equal parts water and sugar.

Knowing how to program a computer is good for you, and it’s a shame more people don’t learn to do it. For years now, that’s been a hugely popular stance. It’s led to educational initiatives as ...

Simple syrup is a common ingredient in drink recipes, whether you're making a cocktail like the French 75 or an iced coffee. Don't be tempted by bottled sweeteners; if you can boil water, you can make ...