bake - December 2016 - 34

Top 5 British Desserts
Whether the snow is ﬂuttering through the air, the holidays
call for family gathering, celebrations, and food. Menus vary
throughout the world, depend widely on religion, but most
include some form of sweet treat for after the meal (or for
picking at when no one is looking).

US by the Puritans, as they did not celebrate Christmas, it
switched to be associated with Thanksgiving. However, the ingredients from both the American and the British mincemeat
is not quite the same. Some include beef, while others have
decided to omit it.

After surveying 2,000 US citizens, UK-based Holiday Cottages
found that Americans aren't that familiar with every day des-

Yule Log

serts. 84 percent of Americans don't know what a Welsh cake

Meant to resemble an actual yule log, it is very similar to a

was. Eccles cakes, a pastry ﬁlled with currants, and Bakewell

Swiss roll. After iced, a bark-like texture is added and then

tarts are the least known British desserts, with 94 percent and

sprinkled with powdered sugar to resemble a Yule log in the

94.7 percent, respectively not knowing what they are. Interest-

snow. To decorate, many people use actual tree twigs, fresh

ingly, 29 percent of respondents know what custard creams

berries, and mushrooms made of marzipan or meringue.

are, whereas only 17 percent know of Bourbon's, which is a
chocolate version of a custard cream.

Sherry Triﬂe
Typically made with fruit, a thin layer of sponge cake that has

Since the knowledge of tradition desserts lacked in the states,

been soaked in Sherry, and custard, and then topped with

www.holidaycottages.co.uk decided to share the UK's top

whipped cream. It is usually suspended by fruit-ﬂavoured

holiday desserts and why they think Americans should know

Jell-o in order for it to layer. A similar version is popular in the

more about them.

Southern US states called Tipsy Cake.

Christmas Pudding

Christmas Cake

This treat, which is traditionally served with thick vanilla cus-

Usually made with dried fruits, nuts, and a dash of brandy,

tard, is packed with fruits and warming brandy. Originating

Christmas cake is deﬁnitely one of those desserts that vary

in medieval England, Christmas pudding is aged for at least a

from family to family. The cake could be dark or light, crumbly

month, sometimes even a year, and the alcohol content pre-

or wet, and could be in any shape. This can be similar to an

vents it from spoiling.

American fruitcake, but aren't given as gifts. Similar to a King
cake at Mardi Gras, with a baby added to it, a coin is added and

Mince Pies

whoever gets the coin will experience wealth within the year.

In the UK, a mince pie is a small, individual sized pie ﬁlled with
fruit-based mincemeat and the top is sprinkled with spices

Holiday Cottages created a map to help discover more about

such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. When brought to the

England at www.holidaycottages.co.uk/more-to-uk.

34 < DEC 2016 | bakemag.com

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bake - December 2016

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