Things to do

Top Ten Bakes for National Baking Week

By CW Contributor on 16/10/2016

Baking recipes and London's best bakes for National Baking Week 2016

Baking ideas, National Baking Week 2016

It's National Baking Week! Mini Mary Berrys and Proto-Paul Hollywoods: don your aprons and get out the rolling pin, it's time to bake. National Baking Week recipes are all over the place, but it's not all cakes and pastries. On our list, we've come up with some creative ways to get baking which don't always end in you feeling two stone heavier slumped on the settee (okay, maybe they do). But baking is good for you, and here's why. It's creative, it's fun, it challenges you to set your mind to something physical and work with your hands and crucially, it makes people very happy when they're presented with a pudding. We are sure baking releases endorphins, too.

Here's our top ten baking ideas for National Baking Week 2016. Ready, set, bake!

Staying In?

Baked Squash with Celery and Herb Cream

Fern Verrow Baked Squash recipe, Photography ©Tessa Traegar

This recipe from Fern Varrow has out tastebuds tantalised. What better way to mentally retreat from hectic London to a country farm this autumn than with a hearty and warming cheesy baked squash. Find the delicious recipe here.

Leek and Goat's Cheese Picnic Loaf

This recipe from Gail's Bakery has us brimming with bake-off fever. It makes a great alternative to sandwiches as it's essentially a hollow loaf filled with a quiche. Paul Hollywood would have his fingers in that in no time, and so would we! Go on, you know you want to...recipe here.

Baked Vacherin

From acclaimed chef Jason Atherton, this cheese-lovers' paradise is best enjoyed shared. Not that you'll want to. It's as simple as melted cheese, potatoes, bread and cornichons, and we think it's heavenly. Bake your own here.

Nordic Ginger Biscuits

A seasonal favourite, these warmly spiced gingerbread biscuits are a treat best dunked into a cup of tea around a warming open fire. And worry not, with ground almonds, coconut oil and no refined sugar, they are also surprisingly virtuous. DIY it here.

Baked Scallops with Shony Butter Scallops with Shony Butter

Being Scotland's premier seafood chef, Roy Brett knows what makes a good scallop. Shony, named after the ancient Celtic sea god, is a traditional term used to describe the magic combination of sweet and salty tastes. Can you already taste them? ...Go on, give it a go here.

Masaia Chai Souffé

Atul Kochhar Recipes, Photography © Mike Cooper

In India, Masala chai is drunk all day long during the winter. This dessert is as tummy-loving as it is heartwarming and its spices will give a kick to the long winter nights on the way. From Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar, this soufflé will heat up your kitchen this autumn. Earn your Michelin star stripes with the recipe here.

Going Out?

Orée French Bakery, South Kensington

If you find yourself in search of the best baguette or the perfect croissant like many French expats in London, we have the answer: Orée, the new bakery patisserie that opened in March this year is the perfect spot to treat yourself to a patisserie. Find out more here.

Where: 276 - 277 Fulham Road, SW10 9NY

Nordic Bakery, Soho

The picture says it all. Gloriously buttery bakes with perfect rolls that would have Mary Berry oozing with excitement, a kind of rough and ready charm, and if you're fussy, there's a huge choice of Scandi-Style desserts and savouries on offer. The favourite here is the cinnamon buns, but try the sandwich with vinegary pickled herring and a smooth mustardy mayonnaise for something a little different. Can you smell the pastries yet? Get closer here.

Where: 14A Golden Square, London, W1F 9JG

Crosstown Doughnuts

These aren't just any old doughnuts. Crosstown are the cool kids on the block with original flavours like strawberry and white chocolate, spiced apple and pear crumble. Dive into a doughnut here.

Where: 4 Broadwick St, London, W1F 0DA

And one for luck....

The Joint, Cavendish Street

The reason this burger joint is on our list is because its buns have a twist. Not only is the food delicious, but the fig and vanilla sourdough buns are made by the Bad Boys Bakery, an inspiring programme from Brixton Prison which trains inmates in baking to give them work experience. Bad Boys was an offshoot of Gordon Ramsey's show Gordon Behind Bars, and their buns are so yummy that they've landed this hot hang out. Read more about the programme it here.
Where: 19 New Cavendish Street