Keeping it Sweet in the Borders

There is something magical about sweet treats. We look forward to eating them and sharing them. We have something sweet with our cuppas throughout the day and indulge in cream teas and desserts when we are out. These sugary delights promote good feelings in the body. It is recognised that sugar releases dopamine and is why we reach for sugar-filled goods when we aren’t feeling our best but also serve and eat them to celebrate occasions.

Home-baked goods are thriving in the market at the moment, partly thanks to the GBBO fever which swept the nation and also due to the range of bakery and confectionery goods offered by big brand coffee shops such as American-style cookies, brownies and muffins. European baked goods such as croissants, panettone and macarons have also exploded onto the scene within the past decade.

Now is a great time to get acquainted with these local bakers, cakers and sweet treat makers in the Scottish Borders, and just in time for Mother’s Day too, which is this Sunday on 31st March!

Top Sweet Treats in the Scottish Borders

Katy Cloud Marshmallows

Katy Cloud Marshmallows are marshmallows that are a sweet satisfaction from which you can also find from an artisanal producer. Hand made and hand cut, these marshmallows come in a variety of flavours and colours with some including local ingredients where possible. You can order marshmallows online or find Katy Cloud Marshmallows at Kelso Farmer’s Markets.

Maid by Marion

Maid by Marion, based in Melrose, was set up in 2002 by Marion Pate. Marion is active in the community, sponsoring local events. Maid by Marion supplies cakes and treats to local cafes but also offers bespoke celebration cakes. Tempting treats available in her shop include cakes, traybakes and Scottish classic homemade tablet. Maid by Marion is open all week so you can get your fix any time.

Curly Coo Tablet

Curly Coo Tablet offers traditionally-made and award-winning Scottish tablet, winning a Great Taste Award in 2017. Now based in Jedburgh, Curly Coo Tablet is available in my local shops across the Scottish Borders and Northumberland from Hawick to Seahouses.

Find Curly Coo Tablet at Selkirk Farmers Market, on the first Saturday of the month, where you can browse through all the delicious flavours available including original, coffee and walnut and raspberry tablet.

Nourish by Rebecca

Nourish by Rebecca is a local foodie whose philosophy ‘eat well, live well’ reverberates through her homemade treats including wholesome bars and raw bites. You can find Nourish by Rebecca at Kelso Farmer’s Market. There are 4 raw bites flavours which include cacao and orange and salted cashew caramel available on the website and at the Farmer’s Market which also offers other sweet treats.

As well as offering delicious and healthy treats, you can sign up to culinary classes run by Rebecca who is a qualified culinary nutrition expert.

Macamoon

Macamoon is based near Peebles. Recently, Ailsa has been offering macaron making classes which have been very popular. The business has been very popular since it began in 2015 and has won several awards including Product of the Year in the Confectionary and Snacks category at the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards in 2016.

You can order any flavour, colour or amount you like by getting in contact with Macamoon. The possibilities are endless.  Macamoon also attempts to source produce from local suppliers and producers where possible.

Macarons often are confused with macaroons. The difference being the former is meringue based and the latter coconut based. Macarons also have the potential to be any colour and flavour.

The Dessert Diva

The Dessert Diva can be found in Kelso. She is also at Kelso‘s Farmers Markets once a month as well as local food markets and events throughout the year, including Berwick Food Festival, Border Union Show and Selkirk Farmer’s Market.

The Dessert Diva is well-known for her beautiful bespoke celebration cakes for events such as birthdays and wedding. However, it is her impressive selection of brownies which have created waves across the Borders. Popular flavours include salted caramel brownies, slutty brownies which include 3 layers of chocolate luxury; cookie dough, Oreos and brownie topping, and classic chocolate fudge brownies. Brownies are made to order and can either be organised to be collected or delivered. The brownies are made in the classic style of fudgy, gooey centre with light crisp topping and not at all cakey. Boxes of 6 can be ordered on The Dessert Diva‘s website.

Also available are luxury desserts, traybakes, celebration cakes, cupcakes and tablet.

The Joy of Homemade Bakes

Not everyone has the time, skill or energy necessary for habitual baking. It is one of the most enjoyable hobbies with an equally enjoyable reward at the end of your efforts. Buying locally made cakes and bakes from these specialist producers in the Scottish Borders, who all try to source as many ingredients as possible, allows you to have the knowledge of what exactly is going into your baking. Much better than store-made cakes or ready-made boxes. Enjoy baking as it should be. With a cake in one hand and a cuppa in another.

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