Throughout history, British bakers have invented a vast range of incredible desserts (or what they may refer to as ‘puddings’), with many remaining popular hundreds of years after their creation.
The original cooking methods used to prepare these dishes are still adopted today, as contemporary patisserie chefs continually produce new variations of authentic British desserts.
Outside the kitchen
Given the cultural influence of these marvellous creations, whereby many ‘puddings’ are synonymous with British customs and traditions, it’s perhaps unsurprising to note that desserts feature in many popular forms of entertainment.
The Great British Bake Off, a television show that pits contestants against one another in a battle to be crowned Britain’s best amateur baker, showcases many of the timeless desserts alluded to above.
Furthermore, classic sweet dishes often provide inspiration for slot title developers within the gambling industry, who are always on the lookout to find engaging themes for new games.
For example, if you were to play online slots at Paddy’s, you may stumble across Red Tiger Gaming’s ‘Cake & Ice Cream Slot’ This fast-paced, all-action slot is loaded with dessert references at every turn; boiled sweets and candy floss provide the background imagery, whilst lollipops, wafer cones, and a serving of cake & ice cream each represent the game’s premium symbols.
A tempting line-up…
So, what exactly is causing all the fuss? We take a look at several iconic British desserts – which one would you tuck into first?
Scottish Shortbread
As the name suggests, this crumbly biscuit (ahem, or cookie) originates from Scotland.
Food historians believe the first shortbread recipes date back to the twelfth century, and claim the sugary treat was a firm favourite of Mary Queen of Scots.
Shortbread is traditionally cut into finger-shaped pieces, round biscuits, or triangles from a segmented circle, after initially being baked into a giant slab.
Remarkably, this delightful dessert began life as a savoury main meal.
Prior to a sixteenth century adaptation, which saw brown sugar, currants, alcohol, and spices used to produce an earthy, sweet-tasting pudding, fourteenth-century cooks combined beef, mutton, raisins, and prunes to serve an altogether different dish. I know which one I would prefer…
Battenberg Cake
Versions of this marzipan-covered cake were in circulation before the marriage of Princess Victoria (Queen Victoria’s granddaughter) to Prince Louis of Battenberg, but it’s alleged their matrimony pre-empted this flavorsome dessert to be named in honour of the royal couple.
The cake is comprised of four chequered yellow and pink quadrants, which are meshed together with generous helpings of apricot jam.
Jam Roly Poly
A dense suet pudding, which is spread with jam and rolled up tightly into a cylinder before being steamed or baked, Jam Roly Poly is commonly seen in British school canteens, on family dinner tables, and at traditional cafés and eateries.
Each of these desserts has managed to stand the test of time, still frequently consumed by British citizens, and now enjoyed by millions with a sweet tooth all over the world.
Perhaps next time you’ve got your apron on, you could try baking one of these delicious historic treats…