The Nation’s Top 10 Nostalgic Bakes

According to our research, almost three in five Brits (59%) have fond memories of baking with their nearest and dearest as a child, whether that’s with Mum (39% of people), Grandma (17%) or Dad (6%).

But which bakes really press our nostalgic buttons? The results are in from our research, and these are the nation’s top 10 nostalgic bakes.

It’s the classic Victoria Sponge that takes top spot. With its name dating back to Queen Victoria herself (it was a favourite of hers you know), it’s fitting that it comes top of the list here.

Sometimes referred to as the Victoria sandwich and originating in Spain, it’s been a well-loved cake amongst Brits since 1615. Although it really came into its own in 1843 with the invention of baking powder. With its two sponge layers, gooey raspberry jam, and smooth buttercream it really is a simple taste sensation. Go on Victoria sponge!

TOP TIP Victoria Sponge - Don’t overmix your flour, gently folding it in until just combined will help your sponge rise evenly and not peak and crack as it bakes.

So what else made our top 10? We can definitely see some of our favourites – chocolate fudge cake, lemon meringue or fairy cakes anyone? Plus, at this time of year when we’re all thinking about our cosy comfort bakes, it’s great to see apple crumble and bread and butter pudding make the top 10 – we do love those winter warmers. But let’s just take a moment and spare a thought for some classics that didn’t quite make the cut. We’re looking at you jam roly-poly and sticky toffee pudding – don’t worry we won’t forget you!

Nostalgia is such a personal thing, and baking trends have come and gone over the years, which is why it comes as no surprise that we see some variations across the age groups in terms of nostalgic bakes. The over 55s are more likely to remember childhood days making (and eating) Victoria Sponge and Apple Crumble. But for our 16-24 age group it’s all about cupcakes, fairy cakes and chocolate crispy cakes.

The Most Nostalgic Bakes By Region

We all have varying tastes across the UK, and we even have our favourite regional delicacies. So it makes sense that what we remember baking as kids (and still love eating now) will vary from region to region.

With that in mind, this is what we love across the different regions of the UK:

The West Midlands Is All About The Nostalgia

The West Midlands is the most nostalgic region in the UK when it comes to baking, with 64% of people having fond memories of baking as children. Across the region as a whole, it’s all about the Victoria Sponge, however for people in Birmingham it’s Apple Crumble that really does it for the nostalgia. Surprisingly the Birmingham-staple rock cake only scored 9% of the vote for the city -sounds like they’re too busy dreaming of Apple Crumble!

TOP TIP Apple Crumble - Coating your apples in cornflour before adding them to your bake will help prevent excess moisture leaking out of the fruit and making your sponge soggy.

The North East Love Their Fairy Cakes

The cake lovers in the North East are the second most nostalgic with 63% of people having fond baking memories. It’s Iced Fairy Cakes that comes out on top as the number one nostalgic bake in this part of the country. The North East is also a place where one in four people (26%) want to create the same happy memories of baking cakes with their children. Don’t you just love to see it!

TOP TIP Iced Fairy Cakes - You can get as creative as you like with the icing, why not add some colour or flavour to it?

We’ll Be Tucking Into Cupcakes In Greater London

In Greater London, cupcakes are the top nostalgic bake, although Victoria Sponge takes top spot in the city of London itself - Queen Victoria would be proud!

TOP TIP Cupcakes - Try adding white or milk chocolate into the centre for a different chocolatey flavour.

Whilst London is the third most nostalgic region in the UK overall with 62% of Londoners having fond baking memories, nearly two thirds of them (62%) also say that baking cheers them up when they’re feeling down. This is compared to one in two people (51%) across the rest of the country. Let’s keep smiling London!

In The North West, They’re A Bunch Of Thrifty Bakers

In the North West, many people are returning to the notions of childhood baking as a way to save money in the current climate. In fact, one in three people (31%) are more likely to bake something than buy it during the cost-of-living crisis – this is compared to the national average of 28%.

This could explain why the favourite nostalgic bake in Manchester is Chocolate Crispy Cakes. These scrumptious morsels are full of crispy chocolatey goodness, and the ingredients are super cheap to buy. We’re with you people of Manchester – we love a Chocolate Crispy Cake as well!

TOP TIP Chocolate Crispy Cake - Why not try making these with rice krispies or shredded wheat.

A Smile And Cake For A Friend In Sheffield

In the steel city of Sheffield baking is a popular way to cheer up those closest to you, with 24% of people baking nostalgic cakes to put a smile on other people’s faces. What people you are in Sheffield!

They Love The Smell Of Freshly Baked Cake In Wales

For our Welsh bakers it’s all about the aroma of a fresh bake wafting through their homes with 37% of people in Wales citing this as their most nostalgic memory – and who could blame them, we love the smell of cake in the kitchen too!

There you have it! The results have shown that in the UK we love to bake, and we love to be nostalgic about the past. Yes, we knew it! We still can’t get enough of Victoria sponges, and we can’t forget about eating apple crumble as kids as well as iced fairy cakes and chocolate crispy cakes.

But really, who could blame us? Baking is such a fun activity to pass down from generation to generation and make memories with loved ones in the process. A quarter of Brits (25%) also want to continue the tradition and make joyful baking memories with their children, and we couldn’t be happier about it.

Happy Baking!