The Baker's Toolkit

Welcome to the Blog by Faye Palmqvist

For home bakers who care about flavour, technique, and quality.

This space is for curious, passionate bakers who want more than just instructions — they want to understand the why behind every great bake.

Here you’ll find clean-ingredient baking tips, flavour-focused recipes, expert techniques, and ingredient insights — all crafted to help you bake with confidence and intention.

What Baking Ingredients Can You Freeze? A Complete Guide for Home Bakers

Freezing baking ingredients can be a game changer for home bakers and cake businesses alike. Whether you're trying to save money, reduce waste, or prep in advance for a dinner party or big order, unde...

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Cake Lettering 101: Why I Ditched the Piping Bag for Cut-Out Letters (and You Might Too)

Here’s something most people don’t expect a classically trained pastry chef to admit:

Even after more than 20 years in professional pastry kitchens — and formal training at Le Cordon Bleu — I never...

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How to Sell Mini Loaf Cakes: Storage, Pricing & Profitable Tips for Home Bakers

Your ultimate guide to selling, storing, and maximising shelf life

Mini loaf cakes aren’t just adorable—they’re incredibly practical for home bakers looking to grow a loyal customer base. Whether you...

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Perfecting Mini Loaf Cakes: A Batter Measurement Guide

Mini loaf cakes are more than cute — they’re one of the most versatile bakes you can master. But here’s the catch: perfecting the batter measurement is key to getting beautiful, evenly baked results. ...

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Pistachios in Pastry: Why You’re Probably Using the Wrong Product

Pistachios have become the darling of the dessert world. From Paris to Dubai to Pinterest, they’re everywhere — tucked into croissants, blended into gelato, and piped into glossy cakes. But here’s the...

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Cocoa Powder Shortage: Why It’s Happening and How Bakers Can Adapt

If you’ve found it harder to get cocoa powder lately – or noticed it costing much more – you’re not alone. Home bakers, cottage industry chocolatiers, and small baking businesses worldwide are feeling...

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Rhubarb: A Seasonal Gem in Baking & Desserts

Growing up in the Mediterranean, rhubarb wasn’t something I encountered as a child. It was only after moving to the UK that I discovered this strikingly tart and vibrant ingredient. During the first l...

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Plain Flour vs All-Purpose Flour: Everything UK Bakers Need to Know

Have you ever opened an American recipe and felt a little lost at “all-purpose flour”? You’re not alone. With more UK home bakers diving into US-based recipes, the confusion over flour types is more c...

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Cream Caramel: The Elegant & Effortless Dessert

One of my absolute favourite desserts since childhood? Cream Caramel. 

This classic treat holds a special place in my heart, and it’s the perfect choice when you need a dessert that’s equal parts ele...

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Neve’s Peppa Pig Cake Recipe: A Fun and Delicious Birthday Treat

Neve’s Peppa Pig Birthday Cake – A Celebration of Simplicity and Flavour

Last weekend, we celebrated our daughter Neve’s third birthday with her very first party! She had been counting down the days ...

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A Classic Gâteau de Voyage with a Seasonal Twist: Blood Orange Loaf Cake

This Blood Orange Loaf Cake is a perfect example of a Gâteau de Voyage—a traditional French travel cake designed to stay moist and delicious for days. These cakes were historically made for long journ...

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What is Artisan Baking? How It Differs from Commercial Baking

Baking is both an art and a science, but not all baking is the same. In today’s world, we have two dominant approaches: artisan baking and commercial baking. Whether you’re a home baker, a professiona...

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