Bake the British Isles - Traditional Mini Easter Simnel Cakes
Come and have fun baking simnel cakes with a UK teacher, and learn some history and culture from British spring celebrations. (Look out for other classes in the series - bakes from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and UK celebrations.)
Helena England, BA Hons, PGCE, MA
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(205)
What's included
1 live meeting
55 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. If you would like to send a photo of the finished bake, I would love to see it!Class Experience
We will start by putting our aprons on and briefly introducing ourselves, finding out what the students already know about our beautiful British Isles; some of them may have even visited. We will take a look at a map to locate the four countries that make up the UK. We will talk briefly about some of the food traditionally eaten in the UK at this time of year. Simnel cakes are a fruited cake that traditionally have a layer of marzipan (you can omit this if you cannot obtain marzipan or if you don't like it - the cakes will still work fine) - they are delicious! Usually they are made in a large tin, but they do take an hour or so to bake, so I have adapted my recipe so they can be finished towards the end of the class. Once the simnel cakes are baking in the oven (and smelling delicious!) and we have had a quick clear up, we will have time for a bit of fun with a quiz about springtime customs in the British Isles - for example, do you know about Gloucestershire cheese rolling, or the Derbyshire tradition of dressing wells and springs with beautiful flowers? If the cakes are not completely baked before the end of the class, I will make sure the chefs know when to take them out of the oven. If your child has any additional needs, please let me know in advance, and I will see if I can make adaptations so they can get the most out of the class. Look out for other sessions in the 'Bake the British Isles' series.
Learning Goals
Students will be able to make simnel cake using a traditional recipe, and know some facts about the UK too.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please note that this is a baking class and an adult needs to be on hand to supervise the use of the oven.
This recipe contains dairy products and flour; if your child has allergies to these ingredients this class will not be suitable for them. The use of marzipan is optional so if your child has a nut allergy omit the marzipan.
Supply List
Equipment: mixing bowl wooden spoon cupcake cases and tin weighing scales/measuring cup wire cooling tray Ingredients self raising flour (USA chefs use all purpose flour and baking powder) butter sugar eggs mixed spice/pumpkin pie spice dried fruit eg raisins, sultanas, currants marzipan (optional) As this is a baking class, it is essential an adult is on hand to assist where necessary.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
5.0
205reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Hello everyone!
My name is Helena, and I live in the UK. It is my pleasure to share with my learners some of the best/worst/quirky bits of Britain through my own nerdiness for history and baking. Enthusiasm, positivity, patience, joy, respect are key to my classes, and I have found my learners have bucketfuls of these attitudes too. Many of my learners take every single class I offer…take a look at my reviews.
I have been a teacher for over 25 years (crumbs!), and I still work in the classroom. I also work for myself teaching groups and one-to-one, online and in person. My learners are aged 3-16. Each learner is different; I love it when they want to join in, ask questions, discuss conundrums, share knowledge but listeners and thinkers are most welcome too (and some of us just need more time to feel confident before contributing). I make sure my classes are joyous but orderly – it’s down to respect again. I aim for inclusivity – it’s helpful if you let me know if your learner has an additional need so I can adapt things for them.
I have a BA Hons in English Literature (2.1) from Southampton University, a PGCE (teaching qualification) from Leicester University and an MA in Creative Writing (distinction) from Birmingham City University. I also have a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification too (I teach English to refugees as a volunteer).
My Outschool offerings are firmly based in Britain. We bake classic British recipes in my cooking classes. I bake at the same time, and we do each step together. (I can’t resist and I add in a bit of history of the bake and a silly food quiz too). The results go down a treat! My British history classes cover UK Myths, Legends, Folklore and Customs; Castles, Knights and Medieval Life; and Tell Me More! A History of the British Isles, which is a delightful romp through key moments in British history from the Stone Age up to 1800 (plenty of serious bits in there too, though...).
I also offer on request one-to-one or group classes on English, maths and EAL. I have lots of experience teaching Early Years, phonics, reading, writing and maths; I know that some families particularly want a UK teacher for this, and I am more than happy to oblige.
Come and join us!Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$17
per classMeets once
55 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
3-7 learners per class
