National Baking Week 2024
This week is National Baking Week highlighting the wonderful world of baking. It’s the perfect time to try new recipes, share your creations and inspire others to discover the joy of homemade bakes and treats.
Originally created to motivate bakers of all skill levels, this initiative has grown in popularity, especially with the rise of one of the UK’s favourite TV shows “The Great British Bake Off.”
Get creative!
National Baking Week celebrates the art and science of baking, emphasising the importance of traditional baking skills while encouraging innovation in the kitchen.
If you are a seasoned baker, try experimenting with a theme or autumn ingredients like pumpkins and apples.
Bake to Relax
Baking can be a fantastic way to boost your mood and reduce stress as it helps distract the mind from the pressures of daily life, encouraging mindfulness and relaxation. This can lower levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, which, when elevated, can negatively impact digestion and gut health.
Baking requires focus and engages your senses, helping you stay present by immersing you in the delightful smells and tastes, which can be a great way to forget worries and de-stress. It can also stimulate the brain’s reward system by releasing the ‘feel good’ hormone dopamine, which boosts your mood.
Sharing
Sharing baked goods can be a heartfelt way to express love, care, or sympathy, bringing joy to others through thoughtful gestures. The warmth and comfort of freshly baked treats not only provide a sense of connection but also offer a way to nurture your own mental wellbeing while supporting a healthier gut environment at the same time.
However, it’s worth mentioning that these benefits may not come to all bakers who try their hand at the perfect Victoria Sponge, de-stressing only comes to those who can enjoy it! So, if you prefer to be the one first to taste-test the warm cookies fresh out of the oven – that’s fine too!
Gut friendly baking tips – sweet and savoury
Looking after your gut health doesn’t mean that you have to miss out!
From wholemeal banana bread to berry-filled tarts, there are endless ways to stay creative while keeping your gut in check during this fun, flavour-filled week!
You can enhance your recipes with high-fibre options such as wholegrain oats, chia seeds, or flaxseeds, all great for feeding your gut bugs Alternatively you can swap traditional flour for wholegrain or almond flour and sweeten naturally with bananas, dates or apples.
Inspiration – try our recipes!
An easy-to-bake, showstopper chocolate cake, that includes a prune, date and nut twist. This recipe uses ground almonds instead of flour and has no added sugar. Its rich indulgent flavour is a great way to impress friends and family.
This delicious carrot and almond cake offers a unique twist on a traditional dessert with its crumbly texture and lower sugar content. Grated carrots add natural sweetness while almonds, pumpkin seeds, and coconut provide dietary fibre, great for efficient digestion, helping maintain a healthy gut.
Get ready to indulge in a guilt-free treat with this oat bran flapjack, bursting with the delightful flavours of coconut and sunflower seeds! Perfect for a quick snack or a wholesome breakfast, these flapjacks are not only delicious but also packed with fibre.
With its soft texture and simple ingredients, this gluten-free bread recipe is a lovely option for those looking to avoid gluten without sacrificing taste. Whether you enjoy it toasted with your favourite toppings or as a side with a hearty soup, it’s a versatile addition to any meal.
Small sweet potatoes bake quickly if they are cut in half. The baking concentrates their flavour and makes their starchy inside soft. In this dish their attractive orange coloured flesh is topped with a delicious mix of spicy beans, sliced chorizo and the zingy flavour of lime and coriander. This recipe contains a kaleidoscope of colourful vegetables and contains a whopping 10 different plant foods.
A delicious savoury breakfast bake containing a plentiful supply of dietary fibre and phytonutrients from the beans, onions and herbs. It is also packed with protein from the egg, beans and cheese. The side serving of thin, air-dried ham provides a protein boost to this recipe.
To see all our gut- friendly recipes, click here.
So, grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, put on your apron, and let the magic of baking bring joy to your home. Don’t forget to share your baking creations on social media using #NationalBakingWeek! #LoveYourGut
What are you waiting for – get baking!