A traditional sweet treat resurrected by Derbyshire-based Stacey’s Bakery has proved a hit with consumers.
The business, which has branches in Ilkeston, Heanor and Eastwood, began baking Thor Cake as a limited-edition product in 2016.
Thor Cake, which is traditionally eaten on Bonfire Night, has similar flavours to a Yorkshire Parkin. It is described as a spicy autumn biscuit with a chewy texture and a gingery kick, made from oatmeal, butter and treacle, with coriander and Demerara sugar.
The biscuit is tied to the East Midlands as local communities would traditionally come together, bringing an ingredient each and baking it as a joint effort.
Thor Cake has now become a seasonal tradition for Stacey’s, which produces them for a six-week period in the run-up to 5 November.
“It’s become a bit of a highlight of our baking calendar, as well as something our customers look forward to,” said David Stacey, managing director and great-grandson of bakery founder Guy Stacey. “It’s really popular – so much so that we sell around 2,500 Thor Cakes each year.”
Historians have a few theories over the name of the cake, with one suggestion that it is named for Norse god Thor. Another theory is that the name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘theorf’ or ‘tharf’, which means unleavened.
Want to see more examples of traditional regional baked treats? Take a look at British Baker’s feature on the UK’s hidden bakery treasures.
No comments yet