A CARLISLE mum-of-two has turned family recipes and her passion for baking into a business venture.

Magda Wilcock, who is originally from the Czech Republic, is now making and selling a range of goodies after collecting her grandmother’s and great grandmother’s recipes for eastern European Christmas confectionary.

She named the festive range Valentina’s Minis, after her 6-year-old daughter.

They range from vanilla horseshoes and chocolate drops to honey mini cakes and rum nutties, plus a number of other dainties.

The traditional Czech sweets can be ordered via Valentina’s Minis Facebook page.

Delivery is available once a week, with orders to be confirmed by the previous Sunday.

Sold in boxes, the festive treats, are priced from £3, for a small selection, and £25 for a large Christmas hamper.

Magda said: “Baking is something I always loved.

"I thought it’d be great to share my family Christmas treats recipes with everyone else.

“These Christmas sweets are little nibbles that are just perfect to accompany an afternoon brew.”

Valentina's Minis are freshly baked and Magda is exploring new types of Christmas sweets, adding samples to orders asking her customers for honest feedback.

The latest addition is honey balls, which are inspired by a famous and traditional Czech honey cake.

There are currently 11 different treats with a ones being added every week.

Magda said: "When it comes to these Christmas treats, I always remember my great grandmother, grandmother and my mum all chatting and laughing when baking these sweets and showing me all the tricks to make these Christmas sweet nibbles soft and as delicious as they are.

"I started baking these when on maternity leave with my first child, my daughter, who is now 6.

"And we love baking together.

"This is where the idea of the name of my new venture came from, after my daughter.

"We did our sample sale and that proved to be so popular we knew Valentina's Minis will be loved."

Orders under £10 are subject to a small delivery fee.

On her Facebook page the range is billed as "bringing those old classics back."

The menu and pricing is as follows: mini surprise box £3, mini marlenka (honey) Box £3.50, bag o’ gingerbread £5, family box £10, Small Christmas hamper £15, big Christmas hamper £25.

For information, and to order from Valentina's Minis go online to her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/lovevalentinasminis