The resurgence of home-baking has led me on a trip down memory lane - scouring old cookbooks, newspaper clippings, my parents' and grandparents' collections looking for inspiration and some edible memories from my childhood.

There was plenty to work through - from the fantastic to the slightly strange (the Eighties are responsible for some seriously weird kitchen inventions - crisp-topped cheesey bakes, anyone?). Whatever they are, most carry fond memories.

When I was asked to rustle up some cakes for a charity sale the first thing that came to mind were the classic chocolate cornflake cakes - quick, easy and delicious.

A week or so later I was invited to a bring-your-own picnic. I suspected an upmarket version of these sticky treats would do the trick and these childhood favourites became a nostalgic, grown-up treat. 

Grown-up chocolate cornflake cakes

Ingredients (makes about 30)

• 160g cornflakes
• 8tbs golden syrup
• 200g very good dark chocolate
• 110g butter

Method

Melt the syrup, butter and chocolate over a low heat until smooth. Remove from the heat and mix in the cornflakes, gently but thoroughly until they are all coated. Place spoonfuls of the mixture either into fairy-cake cases or just onto a plate or baking sheet and allow to cool - they will set as they do so.

If you like (and you want to go for a bit of kitsch-cool) decorate with hundreds and thousands or edible glitter - or both!