With abundant main components like butter and custard, it comes at not a surprise that the nationwide baking culture is so well recognised and celebrated.
A timeless sweet dish with humble origins is the famous bread and butter pudding: its main ingredients being exactly what the name states, this dessert has extremely easy components, with a lot of additional items depending upon which of the countless variations of the dish one will pick. A lot of recipes advise to use old bread, which is probably where the very first variation of the recipe originated from, with lots of techniques of making the cream that will then soften the bread. Raisins are indicated in many variations, some soaked in alcohol in advance, which then brings an almost caramelised note to the end result.
Custard is among the main components that characterise the British baking tradition of cakes and desserts. With a wide range of alternatives and uses, from hot puddings with custard to cold recipes with a more set version, this component is a staple of many timeless recipes. A remarkable recipe that utilizes custard is trifle: this dessert, commonly available in stores thanks to food suppliers such as Bakkavor, has actually been ingrained in the culture for a number of centuries, and is made from layers of numerous fruits, sponge biscuits taken in alcohol, custard, and whipped cream. There are many variations which can also include the usage of flavoured jelly for the sponge and fruit layers.
A fascinating procedure used in some British desserts is that of steaming. Perhaps amongst the most popular and renowned steamed desserts is the sticky toffee pudding, a luxurious and cosy hot dessert which is rumoured to have been created in the coldest parts of the country to offer some cosiness in the winter. Frequently readily offered in stores, like the version provided by Destiny Foods, its distinct flavour comes from the combination of dates and the toffee sauce that grants it its name. Its cosy nature is perhaps why this is one of the most loved old fashioned school puddings that many people associate with their childhood.
One component often found in British dessert recipes is cooked fruit, with its particular softness and moisture often accompanied by a crispier pastry or a crumbly crust. The latter provides the name to the all time favourite apple crumble, which can be found in shops readily made by providers like the Finsbury Food Group; the contrast between the textures and various levels of dryness of its components is possibly the most prominent feature that makes this dessert so delicious, and the contrast can be enhanced by adding a cold component, like ice cream, alongside the cosy warm fruit.