It's crunch time for Netherthong baker Samantha Horncastle who is hoping her biscuit recipe will be taken on by a national supermarket chain.

Samantha, 25, is one of six finalists to not have crumbled under the pressure and gone through to the final in the Border Biscuits Big Baking Bonanza.

The finalists recipes – which include Samantha’s When Life Gives You Lemons – have been selected for their creativity, innovation and unusual flavour combinations.

And Samantha’s achievement is even more impressive since she only started baking last year.

“I am very much an amateur baker and enjoy baking every now and again,” she said.

“This is the one recipe that has proved to be a big success with my friends and family.

“It’s really simple. I tried some gingerbread recipes and they didn’t work out but I love citrus things anyway so lemon just worked.”

Samantha, a horse riding instructor, added: “I’m delighted to go through to the final of the Big Baking Bonanza and I’m keeping my fingers crossed!”

The expert judging panel, which includes Great British Bake Off finalist James Morton, will taste and test the final recipes to pick a favourite flavour which will go on sale in Tesco. The winner will also receive £,000 and a place on a baking course.

Samantha, who is engaged to fiance Martin Richardson, admits she would love all the prizes as she wants to improve her cookery skills.

They are in the process of buying a house and getting married next year so the £2,000 prize money would come in handy.

But to see her product’s recipe in Tesco would be the icing on the biscuit!

Bake-off finalist James Morton said: “The recipes for the Big Baking Bonanza have been really impressive and the entrants have created some absolutely delicious flavour combinations. I’ve loved being involved with the whole process and can’t wait to get in the kitchen at Border Biscuits to bake and taste the final six.”

Ashley Connolly, local buying manager for Tesco, said: “All of the entries to the Big Baking Bonanza are of a really high standard and we are delighted to be involved with the judging process.

“We’re looking forward to finding an innovative new recipe to go on sale in Tesco that our customers will love.”

For more information visit www.borderbiscuits.co.uk/baking or join Border Biscuits on Facebook www.facebook.com/BorderBiscuits , and Twitter @BorderBiscuits for regular Big Baking Bonanza updates.

When life gives you lemons

Ingredients:

300g softened unsalted butter

400g sugar

400g plain flour

1tsp vanilla essence

1/2tsp baking powder

Juice from 2 large lemons

Zest from lemons used

1/2tsp lemon flavouring

1/2 tsp salt

2 medium free range eggs

Flour and icing sugar

Method:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 220 degrees.

Step 2: Cream together butter and sugar until smooth.

Step 3: Add vanilla essence, baking powder, salt, lemon flavouring and mix.

Step 4: Mix in the plain flour, followed by the lemon juice, zest and eggs. The mixture should be quite sticky.

Step 5: Small amount of mixture (around a tsp) roll into the flour (whilst mix is on the spoon, less messy!) and place onto the baking tray, slightly flatten and dust with icing sugar.

Step 6: Bake at 220 degrees for 15 minutes or until biscuit slightly browns.

Step 7: Place on a cooling rack.

Step 8: Enjoy with a brew and friends.