February: Bake for Family Fun Month

February: Bake for Family Fun Month

 
According to DaysOfTheYear.com, February is Bake for Family Fun Month. The idea behind this particular day is to encourage family fun and togetherness in the kitchen. You can pick your favourite recipes and spend a couple of weekends cooking up a storm as a family unit.
 
To make the memories last, you could even have someone play the role of photographer, capturing all the right moments, ready to put in a scrapbook (complete with pictures of your finished culinary masterpieces). From Nan and Granddad to the babies of the family, making and enjoying baked goods is something that can be enjoyed by all.
 
So, how else can you make the most of this sweet-tooth-friendly month? Well, how about sharing the wealth?
 
If you plan on making endless batches of chocolate chip cookies and buttercream-filled fairy cakes, you will struggle to eat it all yourself. Plus, offering people sweet treats is bound to put a smile on their face. What more of an excuse do you need to pop some baked goods in a few of our biodegradable paper window bags and hand them out to neighbours, friends, colleagues and schoolmates?
 
If the mood strikes, you could even dedicate a weekend to taking your cakes and pies to a shelter or care home (get permission first!). Then you can share them with the residents and visitors. You just need a few pairs of hands to help serve, and you can save on the washing up with some of our disposable party plates and cutlery. Discover our organic tableware by clicking right here, right now!
 
Before you can start sharing your baked goods with the world though, you need to figure out what the family will be making. For the dishes you’ll enjoy at home, try and find something everyone likes or put it to a vote. For the treats you’ll be passing on though, we have come up with three classic suggestions. Read on for more on these proven favourites.
 
Cherry Bakewell
 
But, of course; anything with a cherry on top is a good choice! The Cherry Bakewell has long been a favourite in the UK. With its melt in your mouth base, tangy jam and almond filling, and thick scrumptious layer of icing on top, it is delicious. With a pastry, rather than cake base, it is also a little bit different to make. Check out this Easy Bakewell Tart recipe and give it a go!
 
Red Velvet Cupcakes
 
Traditionally a layered cake with a dark red, bright red or reddish-brown sponge, the Red Velvet cake is a show-stopper. The colour is achieved by adding beetroot or red food colouring to the cocoa-based sponge, and you can top it with a choice of butter roux icing, cream cheese frosting or buttercream. Splitting the recipe into cupcakes makes it go further and gives everyone their own little bite of heaven. Try this one from the JoyOfBaking.com.
 
Marbled Bundt Cake
 
The Bundt cake is a superb option, for its interesting shape, if nothing else. Originally inspired by a traditional European Gugelhupf cake, the Bundt cake is a distinctive shape, with a hole in the middle. The cake gained popularity in the mid-20th century, and it remains a tasty treat today. This chocolate and almond marbled Bundt Cake recipe from BBC Good Food is a sweet and attractive option, sure to suit any taste.
 
These three suggestions from littlecherry.co.uk are just a starting point as far as inspiration is concerned. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of recipe sites and baking blogs out there. You also have print recipe books, and no doubt, a few family favourites passed down the generations. If you are feeling especially brave, you could even create your own recipes based on classic bases and what you think works.
 
However you spend February, make sure you make the most of Family Bake for Fun Month, and enjoy every last moment of mixing, baking and tasting.