Often Easter is celebrated on a long lazy Sunday with family and loved ones, including the exchange of chocolate eggs. This year won’t be quite the same, but we can still enjoy the many baked treats that Easter brings with it.
Simnel Cake
We are thrilled that in recent years there has been a resurgence in baking Simnel cakes. This is not just a bake enjoyed by home bakers but these cakes, steeped in symbolism, have now made a return to the shelves of high street bakeries.
Image credit: supergoldenbakes.com
Simnel cake is a fruitcake associated with Lent and Easter. It is distinguished by layers of almond paste or marzipan, typically one in the middle and one on top, and a set of eleven balls made of the same paste which represent the 12 apostles minus Judas Iscariot, although you may sometimes see 12 balls used representing Jesus and the 11 apostles.
Do your customers enjoy traditional bakes? Which are their favourites? Are there other bakes you would love to see come back into the mainstream?
Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns are an absolute favourite with our Bakery Solutions Team. The hot cross bun is not a new favourite, they have been flying off our shelves for many years, but what we have enjoyed seeing are all of the new flavours which are now available. We have become partial to a chocolate chop hot cross bun but this year we have already tried a rhubarb and custard bun and even a chilli and cheese bun.
A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun usually made with fruit, marked with a cross on the top, and traditionally eaten on Good Friday. The bun marks the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial, and orange peel to reflect the bitterness of his time on the Cross.
Are you a hot cross bun traditionalist or will you be offering new flavours to your customers this year? What favours do your customers love?
Speciality Easter
Gathering with family, or organising for treats to be delivered to your loved ones, is the perfect excuse to be creative. Easter offers so many creative prompts for bakers including cute bunnies, chocolate eggs, spring flowers, not to mention delicious spring flavours.
We thoroughly enjoy seeing our customers’ speciality bakes, full of colour and celebration. Bakes available on the high street, from independent bakers but also now available for delivery from new start-up businesses.
Have you been baking especially for Easter? Will your bakery be a key part of your community's Easter celebrations?
We thoroughly enjoy seeing your bakes and would love to know more about how you will be celebrating Easter! Please do tag us in your Instagram posts using #mybakerysolutions
If there are any pieces of equipment which would help you with your Easter baking please do email us at info@bakerysolutions.com or call a member of our team on 0800 083 5639.