What's trending in 2022? In England, everything stops for tea and the Jubilee

Fit for a queen

Ingredients supplier Henley Bridge has produced a bank of recipes specifically for the Platinum Jubilee.

The recipes, all of which are available online, include handmade vegan chocolate crowns, lemon and mint chocolate diamonds, strawberry tarts, platinum chocolate coins and dishes inspired by the Queen’s original coronation menu.

“After the lockdowns we’ve endured over the last couple of years, I think we’re all ready for a big party,”​ said Tracey Hughes, MD of Henley Bridge.

“For caterers, bakers and chocolatiers, the Jubilee weekend is set to be a very busy – and lucrative – time, as long as you get your offering right. It’s all about having the right ingredients and products to hand.​

“Consumers will be expecting plenty of red, white and blue, as well as platinum-themed products, and there are so many brilliant and time-saving ingredients to help you achieve this. Cakes, buns and doughnuts can be coloured with vibrant food colourings and decorated with red, white and blue icings and toppings to instantly give a regal/patriotic feel.​

“For street party food and Jubilee afternoon teas, Pidy’s ready-made pastry cases – available in a range of sizes, shapes and colours – are an easy solution for creating sweet and savoury treats. Simply fill with toppings such as Coronation chicken, chocolate or strawberries, and you’re good to go.”​

For ice cream vendors, Henley Bridge’s technicians have created a blueberry-flavoured Union Jack pan, which uses a stencil and red and blue velvet sprays to recreate the flag.

Other must-have Jubilee paraphernalia from Henley Bridge includes silver sparkling spray, edible silver leaf, chocolate curls, white chocolate rose petals, strawberry flavoured sugar and fruit purees, among other delights.

Strawberries & cream

The Delicious Dessert Company has launched a celebration éclair that combines timeless chocolate with the iconic UK combo: strawberries and cream.

According to commissioned research, 70% of Brits believe strawberries and cream – already a Wimbledon classic – should be the signature flavour for the Jubilee.

The super-éclair is guaranteed to be a hit at any of the hundreds of thousands of family gatherings and street parties planned over the celebration weekend.

“The reaction to our existing éclair range has surpassed expectations [and] we were keen to do something special to celebrate the Jubilee weekend,”​ said Claire Smith, head of Insight at The Delicious Dessert Company.

“The limited edition celebration éclair combines the nation's favourite flavours and will be available exclusively in Tesco stores for nine weeks.”​

After the Jubilee, the bakery producer will launch a new range of Long Johns – bringing a taste of America to UK, along with a Delicious Dessert twist.

The American Long John doughnut is a yeasted, oblong treat, sometimes called an eclair doughnut.

The Delicious Dessert Company is a new brand from Bakkavor, aimed at infusing excitement into traditional classics to broadening their appeal to a younger audience.

The Jubilee éclair is available from 496 Tesco stories around the UK.

Let’s ALL party

Just Desserts Yorkshire has launched a gluten-free range to complement its range of handcrafted cakes and desserts – ideal for those with food allergies to join in the fun.

The gluten-free range broadens the handcrafted dessert producer’s burgeoning portfolio – ensuring there are options for everyone – and is available to food services and the hospitality sector.

It includes seven delightful treats:

• Chocolate & Caramel Cake (gluten-free)
• Victoria Sponge (gluten and dairy-free)
• Cherry & Almond Cake (gluten and dairy-free)
• Raspberry & White Chocolate Cake (gluten-free)
• Caffe Latte (gluten-free)
• Blondie Traybake (gluten-free)
• Salted Caramel Millionaire (gluten-free)

The West Yorkshire, family-run business has also expanded its vegan portfolio with Cookies & Cream Cake and Vegan Sticky Toffee Gingerbread Cake.

Game, set and pop

Popcorn Shed is gearing up for ‘the ultimate British summer’ at Wimbledon with its new indulgent Strawberries & Cream gourmet popcorn.

Smothered in creamy caramel and infused with sweet, dried strawberries, the producer claims the taste is as luxurious as it is timeless.

So, perfect for the world’s grandest tennis stage – but also ideal for the world’s biggest schedule of street parties.

“We are delighted to be launching this new flavour in time for the Queen's Jubilee,” ​said Laura Jackson, director (aka Kernel In Chief) of Popcorn Shed.

“Nothing says British Summer quite like Strawberries & Cream. We’ve really knocked this flavour out of the court.”​

Available online and on Amazon for an RRP of £4.00.

Celebration cakes

My Baker has designed a cake that is guaranteed to be a show-stopper, and being big enough to feed up to 20 hungry mouths, is a must have for a Jubilee street fair.

The ‘70’ cake is made from elderflower sponge, sandwiched with blueberry jam and topped with vanilla butter cream. Decorated in red, white and blue, including fresh strawberries and blueberries, meringue kisses, buttercream flowers and swirls, and an edible Queen’s Jubilee disc.

The cake can be delivered within 24 hours within the M25 or 48-72 hours across the rest of the UK and has an RRP of £108.

My Baker has also launched a range of 28 whimsical cakes and cupcakes for kids, also available for delivery across the UK.

The cakes – made freshly to order In red velvet, vanilla, salted caramel or chocolate – are designed to delight, including Somewhere Over the Rainbow cake, a roaaaarsome dinosaur cake and Eat Until You OPop cake, among others.

“By offering such a large range, we’re pretty much catering for every age and every interest, from dinosaurs and diggers to rainbows and unicorns,”​ said Mark Sinjakli, CEO of My Baker.

“We know that the demand for beautifully designed, delicious, freshly baked children’s cakes that can be ordered and delivered across the UK is there. We are excited to launch this line and can’t wait to see our cakes at birthday parties across the UK.”​

The cakes can also be adapted to suit all dietary requirements and start from £78.

Going nutty for doughnuts

Dawn Foods UK & Ireland has expanded its range of vegan thaw-and-serve products with a finished frozen donut.

Available in two formats – a glazed ring or a jam-filled ball – the doughnuts have an artisanal, handmade appearance and a light crumb structure for a soft eat and covered in Dawn’s Non-Sticky Donut Glaze, which means the glaze won’t get smudged in the packaging. They contain no artificial colours or flavours, and defrost in just two hours – meaning bakers can capitalise on the current doughnut and vegan boom.

“Dawn’s new Vegan Donuts are the natural extension to our portfolio of vegan frozen finished products and mixes which have seen impressive sales growth since their launch,”​ said Jacqui Passmore, marketing manager, Dawn Foods UK & Ireland.

“The significant number of people now choosing vegan and flexitarian bakery options along with the renaissance of the doughnut category – from plain iced through to elaborately filled and topped donuts – made it a logical step to launch a donut in our frozen vegan range offering.​

“Many leading doughnut brands have picked up on the vegan donut trend, so Dawn’s artisanal finished Vegan Donuts will enable high street bakers and caterers to follow suit.”​

Classic British tipple

As part of its longstanding partnership with Diego, Finsbury Food Group has collaborated (for the second time) with the UK’s best-selling gin brand to create gin-infused cupcakes.  

Gin and tonic is one of Britain's favourite drinks and new figures reveal that cupcakes drive more than a quarter (34%) of the total growth of the celebration cake category, so it stands to reason to ramp up celebrations with G’nT cupcakes.

So, following on from last summer’s successful launch of Gordon’s Premium Pink Cake (available in ASDA for an RRP £12), the UK specialist baker has added Gordon’s-inspired cupcakes to its growing portfolio. 

The Divine Duo Cupcakes come in two flavours:

• Pink vanilla topped with gin flavour frosting and decorated with dried raspberry pieces
• Vanilla sponge topped with gin flavour frosting and lemon sugar sprinkles

Available online and at Tesco outlets across the UK for an RRP of £4 per pack of three cupcakes.

“We are confident that we can replicate the success of our previous collaboration,”​ said Emma Hamilton, brand manager at Finsbury Food Group.

“Not just appealing to gin lovers, each cupcake comprises delicious flavour combinations to make this treat suitable for all to enjoy.”​

Added Declan Hassett, senior licensing manager at Diageo, “We are excited to see the enjoyment our new cupcakes bring to consumers.”​