Luscious loaves & perfect pastries: Top bakes at Hambleton Bakery
If the return of Bake Off has you craving carbs, there are few better places to get your fix than award-winning Hambleton Bakery in West Bridgford. Well worth making a detour for, Muddy needed to know if it lives up to its stellar reputation. Loosen the waistbands, we’re going in.
White Sourdough
The Bakery’s bestseller, I reckon it’ll be tricky to find a sourdough to match this one for bite. It’s made using ‘Wildfarmed’ flour (that uses heritage wheat, no chemical sprays or artificial fertilisers), an organic base flour and local spelt and rye, plus a splash of salt. Ideal for epic weekend toasties.
Plum Tart
Luxurious-looking and a new season special launched last week, this pretty plum tart is one of the stand-out bakes for me. I’m not a massive fan of plums, so the fabulous flavour-punch I was hit with a first bite took me by surprise. The sweet, buttery pastry perfectly balances the tart tastebud-tickling plum. Super yummy.
Date & Walnut Sourdough
Inject a bit more flavour into your sourdough with this deliciously nutty loaf. With the occasional hit of sweet date, it tastes amazing on its own or with a generous smear of butter.
Ham, Cheese & Mustard Tart
Another seasonal special, this is spot-on for a light lunch on the go. Denser and more satisfying than a quiche, with layers of great flavour (the mustard makes the cheese and ham sing), all delivered in a perfectly-sized package.
Lemon Cruffin
Dainty, crispy millefeuille, croissanty layers that deliver a light crunch on top of a muffin-style base that hides an oozy, lemony centre. Delish.
Carrot Cake
You’re either a carrot cake kinda gal or you’re not (I’m not) – at least you are until you taste Hambleton’s carrot cake. Moist, oh-so-delicate flavours with satisfying nutty bites of walnut. Not too sweet or overly creamy. Instant convert.
Rutland Pippin
Impossibly pretty, it’s actually quite hard to take the first bite of this cute little pastry package of perfection. Once you do, it’s eyes closed and mmm’s galore. The light bread case hides ham, sausage, stilton and a dash of Granny Smith purée. Nothing overpowering – just beautifully balanced and very tasty.
Cheese Straw
A bestseller for a reason. This baby is dee-licious. Light with a dense cheesy layer in the centre, the poppy seeds add a certain crunch but it’s the fabulous flavours that steal the show here. A fight almost broke out for the last bite in our house.
Heart Shortbread
Another seasonal special, don’t buy this one as your elevenses dunking biscuit. Way more refined (and way too rich to waste on your morning cuppa), it has the air of a fine dining dessert – light shortbread, a rich ganache and just a hint of salt.
That little lot whetted your appetite? Head Hart’s Hotel in Nottingham for the Our Way With Bread event, Nottingham on Tues 29 October. Hosted by Tim Hart, owner of Hambleton Bakery and Hart’s Nottingham, you’ll enjoy a light lunch showcasing different types of artisan bread. Includes a talk and fascinating stories about bread. Costs £40pp. Light lunch, with six tasting courses and a glass of wine, beer or soft drink.
Hambleton’s sources top quality ingredients from local suppliers they know and trust, including: flour and rapeseed oil from Whatton Farm, organic flour from Whissendine Mill & Maud Foster Mill, eggs from Windy Ridge Farm, milk from Vine Farm Dairy, cheese from Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese Company and meats from Grasmere Farm Butchers.
