Lemon drizzle is the UK’s favourite baked good – a view supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF), according to new research from charity Help for Heroes.

The cake secured 12% of the overall vote, as well as 11% and 14% of the vote from the Navy and RAF, respectively. The Royal Marines, meanwhile, named chocolate cake as their favourite, with 14% of the vote, while the British Army favoured the carrot cake, with 13% naming it their preferred treat.

A total of 4,498 adults were surveyed as part of the research, nearly 10% (411) of which have served in the armed forces.

The UK’s top 10 sweet bakes, according to Help for Heroes research, are:

  • Lemon Drizzle Cake – 12%
  • Chocolate Brownies – 11%
  • Victoria Sponge Cake – 10%
  • Chocolate Cake – 10%
  • Carrot Cake – 10%
  • Coffee and Walnut Cake – 8%
  • Bakewell Tart – 6%
  • Chocolate Chip Cookies – 5%
  • Flapjacks – 5%
  • Red Velvet Cake – 2%

It comes ahead of the charity’s Bake for Heroes campaign, which takes place during Armed Forces Week from 22 to 29 June. The campaign encourages the public to take part in the ‘nation’s biggest bake sale’ to raise money to help wounded and injured veterans and their families.

“We are calling for people across the country to sign up for Bake for Heroes Week by visiting www.bakeforheroes.org.uk – and encouraging friends, family, work colleagues and classmates to make, sell, buy and eat cake. Our research shows they’ll feel great getting involved, especially when they know that every penny raised will provide vital support to our nation’s wounded heroes,” said David Martin, head of supporter fundraising at Help for Heroes.

The research also explored the connection between baking and mental health as one in five (22%) respondents said they found baking therapeutic. What’s more, nearly half (46%) said that baking a homemade treat can be a good way to cheer someone up.

The link between improving mental health and baking has been around for a while. Research by the Real Bread Campaign in 2017 found that baking bread reduces anxiety and increases happiness in those struggling with their mental health.

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