When’s the last time you baked a cake, experimented with a cookie recipe or created a pavlova from scratch? Here at IDEAL we love baking. Indeed, we believe the methodical nature of baking makes it a very therapeutic activity. First, you get to weigh and measure the ingredients, next you can appreciate their delicious aroma as they bake. And finally, you get to eat whatever it is you baked. You could even have the pleasure of sharing your baked goods with your nearest and dearest if you so wish.
According to research (funded by the GBBO perhaps?), baking, especially when it’s done for others, has a host of psychological benefits. It’s been proven that people who take on creative projects like baking feel more relaxed and happier in their everyday lives. Moreover, few things are more indulgent than a soft, sweet cake or a melt-in-your-mouth biscuit after a busy day, while nothing tastes better than a fresh slice of bread or delicious pastry in the morning.
So it’s about time you put on your apron and rustled up some brownies, don’t you think? And there’s no better time to do it than now, it’s National Baking Week from the 15th to 21st October 2018 after all. If you want to embrace the event, here’s 5 IDEAL ways to celebrate National Baking Week.
START BAKING AT HOME
Grab some eggs, flour and sugar and make your way into the kitchen to whip up a tasty cake in honour of National Baking Week. It is the perfect excuse to try one of the many fantastic baking recipes available online or in cookbooks, as you can make everything from a Victoria sponge cake and chocolate chip cookies to a pain au chocolat, Danish, or a fresh loaf of bread. The choice is yours.
TREAT YOURSELF TO A NEW BAKING GADGET
National Baking Week provides the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a brand-new baking gadget. If you are tired of whipping up cakes with a manual whisk, consider buying a professional mixer, which can make it much easier to create your favourite treats in the kitchen.
You could even upgrade your current baking tools, as you could buy new recipe books, dishes and utensils, which will make you want to spend more time in the kitchen to create various baked goods for your family, friends and colleagues.
ORDER PROFESSIONAL BAKES FOR YOUR FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES
Of course, if you don’t have the time or inclination to bake a cake or biscuits, you could always leave it up to the professionals and order stunning creations directly to your address. For example, Greenhalgh’s have been running a popular craft bakery since 1957 and are dedicated to only using the finest ingredients.
What’s more, they can deliver their bakes and sandwiches directly to your home or office, which is the perfect way to embrace National Baking Week with your friends, family, or colleagues.
ATTEND A BAKING CLASS NEAR YOU
If you have always wanted to bake but never have the time or skill to do so, why not attend a baking class near you either alone or with your friends? Here you will learn the basics of baking, such as how to create a soft, light sponge cake, make royal icing or buttercream, or create fun and tasty cookies. It will also provide an opportunity to connect with other students so that you can share baking tips and recipes outside of the classroom.
HOST A BAKEOFF AT WORK
Why not get everyone involved in National Baking Week by hosting a bakeoff at work? Everyone will be responsible for bringing in their homemade creations, which could be judged by members of management. People could even pay to enter the competition to help raise money for a company’s chosen charity. It is a great way to have a little fun in the office while raising money for a worthy cause.
7 IDEAL TIPS TO RAISE YOUR HOME BAKING GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL
