Instagram always knows how to recommend the good stuff.
It's almost impossible (especially in lockdown) to casually scroll through posts and stories without something new catching your eye.I'm a sucker for sweets which doesn't go to well with the current limited lockdown lifestyle, but it helps with the feel good and end of the week cheat days. Since my favourite local dessert place has been shut down thanks to COVID, I was subconsciously looking for a replacement to fill the void.
Thankfully, I discovered Bromley's Bakes, run by Daniella Bromley in Leicestershire. The business looked fairly new, at least to Instagram, and currently offers cupcakes, one off bakes, and what looks like, the big ticket item, a 6 Bake Box. I just had to try the box and support a local business, especially in this climate.
DELIVERY + COST
It seems the boxes are baked to order on a first come first served basis - I contacted Bromley's Bakes on a Thursday via Instagram message and got my box hand delivered on the following Monday. Payment is take up front.The 6 Bake Box costs £10.00 (absolutely bargain for what you get) and an extra £2.50 for me for delivery. This depends on where you live, and will differ on location.
THE BOX
The 6 Bake Box was packed in a flat pack cardboard which was sealed pretty tight, with the logo on the top. Inside, the bakes were wrapped in greaseproof paper; on top, a branded card with details of the bakes and social accounts, could be found on top.From the ingredients list, it didn't look as though the bakes were catered for particular allergies/ food preferences, but I am assuming that this can be resolved by ordering a one off bake, rather than requesting one of her bulk buys. All allergens were presented in capital letters on the card.
The bakes were in perfect condition upon arrival, which is why popping them through the post is not an option.
THE BAKES
Opening the box is such a treat - I really appreciated how neat each slice was and how tightly they were all packed against each other to prevent crumbling or sliding. As an avid GBBO fan, I found the decoration to each pretty impressive - nothing more Insta-worthy than a multicoloured display of food; my phone camera really didn't do it justice.
I eat according to preference - I start with what I think I will like the least and work my way up to what I am assuming would be my favourite. I divided each piece into thirds in order to test its storage life over 3 days.
I eat according to preference - I start with what I think I will like the least and work my way up to what I am assuming would be my favourite. I divided each piece into thirds in order to test its storage life over 3 days.
In order of favourites, starting with my favourite:
- Oreo Fudge
- White Chocolate and Raspberry Blondie
- Biscoff Millionaire Shortbread
- Lemon Drizzle
- S'more Brownie
- Caramel Popcorn Rocky Road
I can't deny that one of the main reasons I decided to try the box was because of the Oreo Fudge. I am a huge lover of Oreos - it was hella sweet and gave me one of those good toothaches after (this is what condensed milk does to me), but it was so worth it! In my opinion, the remaining bakes were a-lot less sweeter.
The raspberry brownie surprised me because I don't usually gravitate towards fruit (unless it's carrot cake) but it was soo soft, not overloaded and the chocolate/ fruit mix was really well balanced. I could have eaten all of this in one sitting, but I managed not to.
The raspberry brownie surprised me because I don't usually gravitate towards fruit (unless it's carrot cake) but it was soo soft, not overloaded and the chocolate/ fruit mix was really well balanced. I could have eaten all of this in one sitting, but I managed not to.
I "discovered" that I actually don't mind millionaires not too long ago, because I am not really a caramel person, but I think it was the added Biscoff (that belongs to the elite biscuit tier) that won me over. I thought this was surprisingly buttery and crumbly and not as heavy as I thought a millionaire's would be.
Lemon Drizzle is a cake OG, I think it's hard for me to not like a drizzle and again, I was not disappointed; the light sponge went really well with a cup of tea.
The final two were consistent with the others (soft and not too sweet) but, both contained marshmallows, which I find sickly in large quantities, so I could only manage pieces at a time.
As a side note (and I recommend you do this at your own risk, in case you ruin the bake) but I decided to put the S'more brownie in the microwave for a few seconds to melt it altogether. A mess but it tasted like it came straight from the campfire!
As a side note (and I recommend you do this at your own risk, in case you ruin the bake) but I decided to put the S'more brownie in the microwave for a few seconds to melt it altogether. A mess but it tasted like it came straight from the campfire!
STORAGE
I realised a little too late that the bakes were quite generous in side and that I lived alone in a lockdown, meaning no way to share. I was recommended to consume the bakes within 3 days- which I did without regret, as freezing would destroy the quality of the bake.
I decided to try a piece of each across 3 days to see if I could see a difference, but I couldn't, bar the Marshmallow Rocky Road, which did seem to harden slightly. I also decided to store them on my countertop in their packaging, instead of the in the fridge, as my food tends to retain that stale fridge taste. As a result the chocolate of course did melt, but that was expected due to the temperature of my flat in the warmer months. In hindsight, a "cool, dry place" in an airtight tin would have been better.
I think now that I have tried the bakes as they are, I wouldn't mind freezing parts of them so I can keep them longer.
I decided to try a piece of each across 3 days to see if I could see a difference, but I couldn't, bar the Marshmallow Rocky Road, which did seem to harden slightly. I also decided to store them on my countertop in their packaging, instead of the in the fridge, as my food tends to retain that stale fridge taste. As a result the chocolate of course did melt, but that was expected due to the temperature of my flat in the warmer months. In hindsight, a "cool, dry place" in an airtight tin would have been better.
I think now that I have tried the bakes as they are, I wouldn't mind freezing parts of them so I can keep them longer.
OVERALL
I think my body needs a break from all that sugar, but I have been craving another box since I finished this one.
Such a great find for a local baker and would be a great idea for gifts to friends and family members. Ordering was quick and hassle free, the bakes were beautifully presented, and above all, they all tasted amazing!
MORE INFORMATION ON BROMLEY'S BAKES
Find Bromley's Bakes on Instagram: instagram.com/BROMLEYSBAKES
Find Bromley's Bakes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bromleysbakes/
Thank you for reading!
Fiona x