Although it was originally made for a royal marriage almost 100 years ago, the Battenberg dessert is due to make its return in time for Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne.
According to a recent survey, the marzipan-covered cake – famous for its distinctive chequered pattern of pink and yellow – is set to take centre stage in next year’s festivities, along with the Victoria sponge, Britain’s favourite cake.
While Queen Elizabeth is celebrating her 70th birthday in February, it will still be celebrated with a prolonged Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend in June.
It was initially believed that the Battenberg was made to celebrate Queen Victoria’s wedding to Louis of Battenberg in 1884.
These were the parents of the Duke of Edinburgh who was 99 years old when he died. Nine panels of sponge were used in the original recipes. According to food historians, the original Battenberg cake was made up of nine panels.
Although it was originally made to be used in a royal wedding over a century and half ago, the Battenberg Cake is making a comeback next season in celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne
According to a food industry expert, the Battenberg will see a revival in popularity over the Jubilee years. While it’s a British creation let us not forget that their family changed the name of Windsor to Battenberg during World War I due to growing anti-German sentiment.
“But it would be nice for it to enjoy an increase in popularity in 2022, of all years, would be a lovely tribute to the Duke.”
According to Lakeland’s annual trends survey the bosses of homeware company Lakeland predict that there will be a return to British baking next year as customers carry the Jubilee flag with style.
The company’s sales of Battenberg baking pans has increased by 33% in recent years, they say. Philippa Simons from Battenberg, the company’s chief of buying said that “We predict Brits will embrace street parties and create a Summer of Celebrations for the Platinum Jubilee.”
According to the survey, Victoria sponge is still the most popular cake in the country. However, the gap between chocolate cake and it has shrunk from eight percent to two percent over the last three years.
Other top picks include banana bread, cheesecake, lemon drizzle and carrot cake.
Another finding was that 30% of those questioned have made a homemade pizza in the last 18 months.
Another 28 per cent tried making their own pastry, although just five per cent had a go at doing a baked Alaska – a notoriously difficult dish to master.