The Baker's Blog

A Beginner’s Guide to Sourdough Starter A healthy sourdough starter is your passageway to a well-risen, flavourful loaf. Keep it fed and watered, and you’ll be well on your way to success. Here are our suggestions and top tips to achieve this. What is my starter made from?  Your starter is made from just flour and water, which goes through a cycle of natural bacteria and yeast feeding ... Read more

Sourdough Recipe for Beginners I’ve kept this recipe as simple as possible, with all the details you need for a really good sourdough. It may look daunting at first, but the steps are straightforward. Don’t be put off if your first loaves aren’t “Insta-worthy” you’ll soon get the hang of it. Everyone’s bake turns out differently, and that’s part of ... Read more

A Beginner’s Guide to Bread Welcome to the wonderful world of bread. In this blog, we hope to prepare you for a fun time in the kitchen making your first loaf of bread. We will share top tips, suggested ingredients and essential equipment as well as a simple first recipe. Whether you're starting a sourdough journey or baking a yeasted loaf, this is the place to be.  Ingredients: First ... Read more

Elasticity vs. Extensibility in Bread Dough: What’s the Difference? Understanding how and why your dough behaves the way it does is a key part of mastering bread baking. Two fundamental properties of dough are elasticity and extensibility. They might sound almost the same, but they are actually quite different. These two properties are affected by two naturally occurring proteins in the flour ... Read more

Sekowa Special Baking Ferment We have got a great Sekowa (pronounced “Sek-o-va”) introduction and recipe on our Sekowa produce page. But I wanted to extend on this for beginner’s top tips. I am very new to bread making, so I am yet to learn how your dough should look to be successful. It’s taking a bit of trial and error to get the perfect loaf. But here are a few ... Read more

Equal Weight Victoria Sponge A British summer time classic – an Equal Weight Victoria Sponge Cake. When I crave a traditional light sponge, this is where I go - its truly delicious, fresh, light, with just the right amount of sweetness. Some people may call it a pound cake – but I always knew these classic sponges as an equal weight cake! It’s a great base when making any sponge ... Read more

Reverse Oat Cookies When you think of an oat cookie, it’s usually one packed with oats and held together with a touch of flour. But these Reverse Oat Cookies change the game! They’re made with oat flour, giving them that signature oaty sweetness, while malted wheat flakes take the place of traditional oats, adding a delightful crunch and depth of flavour. They’re ... Read more

Oaty Fruity Boost Bars These Oaty Fruity Boost Bars are a simple and satisfying mix of chewy oats, dried fruits and crunchy seeds. With a combination of dates and apricots, they offer just the right amount of sweetness. The mixed seeds add a nice crunch and a little extra nutrition, while the oats provide a hearty texture, making them a great snack for a quick energy boost at any time of day. ... Read more

Perfectly Plump Hot Cross Buns This is my favourite recipe for Hot Cross Buns, slightly adapted from Richard Bertinet's superb version. I find that making a tangzhong (a flour-and-liquid roux) gives these buns the perfect texture, a soft, pliable crumb with just enough tenacity to hold up under a generous smear of butter without tearing or collapsing. I’ve never been a fan of most ... Read more

Easter Simnel Muffins These Easter Simnel Muffins are a nod to the larger Simnel Cake often baked at Easter. A little easier and quicker than the large cake, they make for a great alternative, easy to share, store, and pack up for an Easter picnic! For a classic touch, top each muffin with a marzipan ball, symbolizing the apostles in the traditional Simnel Cake. Or, for a more playful, creative ... Read more