This January, Trewithen Dairy and Matthews Cotswold Flour are encouraging everyone to roll up their sleeves and get baking after a study found that individuals who engage in creative projects such as cooking and baking are happier in their day-to-day lives.
When you’re focusing on kneading dough or whisking up meringue, you’re present with what you’re creating. This act of mindfulness helps you forget about worries in your life and reduces stress. There’s also a sense of achievement at the end of it that can help you develop self-esteem and establish positivity in your mind.
Matthews Cotswold Flour is Britain’s leading speciality flour producer with an unrivalled range of flours to choose from and plenty of recipes and support to get you baking. Trewithen Dairy is a family-run dairy renowned for its exceptional dairy products with quality and sustainability at its core, providing a modern twist to delicious recipes. Their teams of baking enthusiasts believe transforming a few basic ingredients into something scrumptious is nothing short of alchemy.
Baking is a great way to lose yourself in a mindful, cathartic process, which inspires creativity. Making people smile by sharing a sweet treat or homemade loaf is a true expression of love and a great way to lift your spirits in the winter months. Plus, when you bake from scratch, you are in control of the ingredients, meaning you can produce far more nutritious and delicious treats for a fraction of the price you would pay to buy them in a shop.
Top 10 tips for baking success:
- Always read the recipe through thoroughly before starting so there are no hidden surprises or processes, such as having to chill something overnight before you can continue.
- Preheat the oven before you begin. Some ingredients like egg whites need to be handled quickly before the air is lost, so will need to be popped into the oven without delay.
- Get to know your oven. There may be hot-spots, so you’ll have to rotate your baking half way through for an even result.
- Add full fat milk to sponge cakes. Milk adds additional protein and lactose (milk sugar). Opt for Trewithen Dairy’s 4% fat barista milk, which in turn creates a richer taste and softer crumb and a better bake.
- Clear the kitchen down before you start. And keep it clean! Work methodically, tidying up as you go – it’s much easier and leaves you feeling calmer.
- Practice makes perfect. Neighbours, family, friends and colleagues make for happy testers in the meantime, as you keep them well-fed with your baking results!
- Use the best quality ingredients you can afford. It makes such a difference to the taste and quality of your baking.
- Ingredients need to be at room temperature before you start. Depending on your recipe, you might need to take butter, eggs and anything else you need out of the fridge at least an hour before you start baking. If you’re making pastry, you will want to keep your ingredients chilled.
- Don’t forget to add a little salt! Salt reduces bitterness and increases sweetness. Using salted butter in your cakes is a great way to enhance the flavour of your baking.
- Have fun and get creative! Experiment with your favourite flavours, get inventive and enjoy yourself.
Top products:
Trewithen Dairy Cornish Clotted Cream, 200g – RRP £2.45
Available at Ocado and select SPAR, Tesco, Asda and Co-op stores.
Trewithen Dairy is recognised for its golden crust and believe the secret behind its unique flavour is to cook the cream slowly for a longer period of time. Each small batch is made using a traditional recipe and using milk from local herds ensuring quality and provenance from the heart of Cornwall. Cornish clotted cream has earned a Protected Designation of Origin Status; an indication of its authenticity. For more than just scones, use it for spreading over cakes, or as an ingredient in your bakes adding a fuller flavour to baking and imparting a rich creaminess.
All Purpose Regenerative White Flour, 1.5kg – RRP £2.20
Available from Tesco and www.cotswoldflour.com)
Traditionally stoneground milled in the Cotswolds from regeneratively farmed UK wheat and is the first of its kind in the UK. The flour is suitable for use in recipes that call for plain, strong bread or self-raising flour, if used with baking powder, which allows for more diversity of bakes from one packet of flour, making it great for baking on a budget.
Trewithen Dairy Salted Butter, 250g – RRP £2.65
Available online at Ocado, and from select ASDA, Tesco, Morrisons and SPAR stores.
A luxuriously smooth textured butter with a silky richness. It’s the high butterfat content in the Cornish cream that gives it such an exceptional mouthfeel.
Trewithen’s butter is enhanced with Cornish Sea Salt, which is hand-harvested from the ocean waters west of the River Tamar. The salt’s unique, concentrated flavour enhances anything it is paired with. It is this rich, complexity of flavour that brings Trewithen Dairy butter to life.
Recipe Suggestions:
With their tell-tale crackled top, golden syrup flavour and spicy ginger bite, Cornish fairings are a step up from your everyday ginger biscuit.
Gruyere and Black Pepper Savoury Biscuits
A super-speedy savoury recipe perfect for a quick and simple bake, ideal for after-dinner or snacking.
Martha Collison’s Meringue Kisses
Delicate, dreamy clotted cream meringue kisses to brighten up your day.
These tear-and-share rolls are super soft and buttery with a touch of sweetness. Not only delicious to eat but easy to make too.
This ‘four milk cake’ is a light, fluffy vanilla sponge soaked with whole milk, evaporated milk, condensed milk and Cornish clotted cream to make it moist throughout. Topped with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, it’s perfect to accompany mid-morning coffee.
Packed full of fruity flavour this cake has a spiced banana and pineapple sponge topped with cream cheese frosting.
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