National Baking Week
In honour of National Baking Week, we’re bringing a splash of spirited sophistication to your kitchen.
To mark National Baking Week (14th-20th October), we’re marrying the classic art of baking with the refined taste of luscious liqueurs. Whether you’re an occasional baker or a seasoned chef, this week offers an opportunity to redefine your favourite recipes, enriching them with the unique notes of orange, damson, sloe gin, and peach.
In this blog, we’ll be sharing four great bakes with a liqueur twist, using Damson Liqueur, Peach Liqueur, Sloe Gin, and Blood Orange Liqueur. Get ready to delve into the delightful combination of boozy baking.
A Slice of History: National Baking Week
Created back in 2007 by baking bigwigs Pyrex, National Baking Week wanted to encourage people from toddlers to grandmas and beginners to experts to have a go at baking something at home. Propelled by The Great British Bake Off and fuelled by the lockdown baking bonanza, the fixture is now cemented in the diary. And while Pyrex no longer runs National Baking Week, the week is as popular as ever.
Rooted in the idea of sharing, this week-long event has been an inspiring movement that encourages people to bake for their loved ones, neighbours, colleagues, and communities. With every passing year, it provides an excellent opportunity to roll up your sleeves, don your apron, and bake, bake, bake.
Liqueurs in Baking: A Batch Made in Heaven
Liqueurs can add an unexpected twist of flavour, moisture, and richness to baked goods. Whether it’s a splash in your cake batter, a drizzle over a fresh-baked loaf, or an ingredient in a luscious filling, the depth and aroma liqueurs bring to the table are unparalleled.
Now, let’s dive into four delicious recipes featuring our signature liqueurs.
Orange Liqueur Chocolate Fondant
Love chocolate? Add a hint of orange liqueur for a twist. This fondant has a gooey centre that’s hard to resist.
Ingredients:
- 100g dark chocolate
- 100g unsalted butter
- 150g caster sugar
- 3 eggs
- 50g flour
- 2 tbsp of our Blood Orange Liqueur
Instructions:
Melt the chocolate and butter together. Beat in the sugar and then the eggs, one by one. Fold in the flour and finally stir in the Orange Liqueur. Pour into greased ramekins and bake at 200°C for 12 minutes.
Damson Liqueur Almond Tart
Almonds and damson liqueur come together in a tart that’s both familiar and new. A great choice when you’re looking to mix things up a bit.
Ingredients:
- 1 ready-made pastry crust
- 100g ground almonds
- 100g butter
- 100g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp our Damson Liqueur
- Flaked almonds, for topping
Instructions:
Cream butter and sugar, then add the eggs, ground almonds, and Damson Liqueur. Pour the mixture into the pastry crust. Top with flaked almonds. Bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes.
Sloe Gin Berry Cakes
Simple berry cakes gets a boost from sloe gin. Moist, flavourful, and packed with berries—it’s a fresh take on a timeless favourite.
Ingredients:
- 200g butter
- 200g sugar
- 3 eggs
- 200g self-raising flour
- 4 tbsp our Sloe Gin
- 150g mixed berries (like raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions:
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition. Fold in the flour, lemon zest, and Sloe Gin. Gently fold in the mixed berries. Pour into cake cases and bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
If big cakes are your bad, add the mixture to a greased cake tin and bake at 180°C for 35-40 minutes.
Peach Liqueur Drizzle Cake
You can’t go wrong with a drizzle cake, especially when there’s peach liqueur involved. It’s a nod to traditional baking with a little extra flair.
Ingredients:
- 200g butter
- 200g sugar
- 3 eggs
- 200g self-raising flour
- 3 tbsp Peach Liqueur
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions:
Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time, then fold in the flour and lemon zest. Pour into a loaf tin and bake at 180°C for 35-40 minutes. While still warm, drizzle the Peach Liqueur over the top, allowing it to soak in.
Celebrate National Baking Week
Celebrate National Baking Week by exploring the aromatic world of liqueurs in your baked treats. Not only will you surprise your taste buds, but you’ll also create memorable, sumptuous dishes to share. Bake, share, enjoy, and repeat.
For more baking ideas take a look at our , Christmas Brownies, Blackberry and Sloe Gin Cheesecake or Gluten Free Sloe Gin Muffins