Flora panel - Baking Activity Feedback

[AngelieMumsnet]

This thread is for the Flora panel members participating in the Flora Buttery baking task.

Here's what Flora have to say, "Flora Buttery is brilliant for baking the fluffiest of cakes, and it’s super easy to mix too, even straight from the fridge. We love to use it for icing, as well as in the cake mix (we have loads of great recipes on our website), and it’s a great all-rounder, perfect for everything from spreading on your sandwiches to melting on your spuds. We’d love you to make space for a tub in your fridge and see how versatile it is!"

Panel members were given a voucher to buy Flora Buttery.

Please answer the questions below and add any other comments you may also have. We'd love you to take a picture of your creation and post it on this thread. Please note any pictures and/or comments on this thread may be used by on Flora's pages on MN and possibly elsewhere so please only post if you're happy with this.

• What did you bake using Flora Buttery?
• How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?
• Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not?
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

All panel members who post on this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

We baked flapjacks. I'm not a big baker but it worked fine - they were delicious! It was DCs first time helping bake (he is two!) and it went pretty well so yes, will probably use it again. I intend to do a taste test on DHs toast at some point, and if it passes that as well, definitely getting recommended! I will report back!

I think I saw somewhere that Flora had pledged to use sustainable palm oil (please correct me if I am wrong) and I would recommend it on those grounds, rather than cooking use so far.

I made Nigella's old fashioned chocolate cake which proved a big hit. I usually use Stork for baking but Flora buttery was just as good and easy to use. Flora is sometimes cheaper than Stork so will buy when that is the case as Flora has the added advantage that my dc will eat it on toast.

So, our voucher arrived and off we went to the shops to get our Flora Buttery. I cook with my son and daughter quite a lot and normally use (supermarket own) baking margerine or butter. I have to confess that using Flora Buttery wouldn't have entered my head before now. Generally I prefer butter, block or spreadable, so wasn't expecting our results to be of the usual standard!
We made cakes and flapjacks - pictured - we were going to decorate the cakes but they were all eaten very quickly so didn't get the chance. The last one is packed in my 4 year old's lunchbox for school tomorrow. The speed with which they disappeared was testament to how well they turned out. Very light and fluffy and I thought they tasted great - as good as normal, maybe even a little better.
The flapjacks were also pretty tasty but a bit problematic as I used baking paper which stayed welded onto the bottom. Not sure if it's edible (other half has been eating them with it still attached and suffered no ill effects) but it's a pain in the elsewhere trying to hack it away. That failure was down to me not the Flora though!
I'd use Flora Buttery again and I would probably recommend it if it came up in conversation.

I used Flora buttery for several things, I made a hollandaise sauce to go with some salmon fillets, I baked an orange cake and I also just used it on bread for sandwiches.
The end result was no different, the cake was lovey as was the sauce. No one has noticed any difference in the sandwiches (which is good because my DD can be very fussy about butters!)
I would use it again if on offer. it is more expensive than the local butter I buy, so this would put me off.
I would recommend Flora buttery but I do think it's a bit expensive when you can just use regular butter which is cheaper.

Many thanks for the voucher - I had fun using it!

im baking in the morning so shall be along to posy my findings , however, dp has been using it on his toadt and croissants and is a fan

What did you bake using Flora Buttery?

I made Flapjacks

How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?
They were much softer and less dry than the usual flapjacks I make.

Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not?
Yes I would definitely use Flora Buttery again - it is easy to use and very tasty.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
Yes I would recommend it. Like above, it is really easy to bake with and tastes great!

I used the Flora Buttery to bake savoury cheese scones (hope that's ok!) and also made american style pancakes for Shrove Tuesday.

We love cheesy scones on a beef cobbler and this recipe is tried and tested in my house - so this really put Flora to the test.

The most apparent thing to me was how easily the Flora was to rub in to the flour compared to butter..... And I used it straight from the fridge too!

They tasted exactly the same, the texture was the same and if anything, they were easier to make with the Flora Buttery.

The pancakes were also delicious. I had to melt the Flora first before mixing it in with the eggs milk and flour. I found it no different to using butter and didn't think it tasted any different either!

I would (& will) keep Flora Buttery in the fridge for baking purposes which is great because I always believed it was just for spreading on sandwiches and toast!

I would happily recommend using Flora to my friends/family - Fab product.

Ooops, & there's the photo of my pancake. One wasn't enough though, next year I'll make twice as much batter! I also used Flora in the frying pan instead of butter. Was yummy!

• What did you bake using Flora Buttery?

we made a wictoria sponge cake and some fairy buns.

• How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?

actually very nice and easy to use

• Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not?

yes we would! DS really likes this, he has ASD and very fussy, yay that has to be a winner!

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

Yes and strangely it already has

• What did you bake using Flora Buttery?

I made a mini lemon drizzle cakes and mini chocolate loaf cakes with it

• How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?

I was pleased with the lemon cakes - hadn't made this receipe before so not sure how it compares. The chocolate cake was moist and very similar to when I've made the same receipe before using a different fat. I use either butter or Stork for baking normally.

• Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not?

I might use it again if it's on offer but don't think the result was that much different as to when I use Stork which is cheaper.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

I would recommend it but think we'll use it more for toast than baking.

What did you bake using Flora Buttery?
We made rock cakes and gingerbread biscuits.

• How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?

Tasted the same as normal but was easier to 'rub into' the flour than our usual Stork.

• Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not?

It would depend if it's on offer as I usually use Stork or regular Flora whichever is cheaper. The results were the same so happy to use it from that point of view.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

I would recommend it for recipes that call for 'rubbing in' or perhaps for an all in one cake.

• What did you bake using Flora Buttery?

Chocolate chip cookies

• How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?

They were just as nice as using butter and healthier

• Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not?

Yes it would. Easier to use, no melting or waiting to soften.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

Yes I would. It tastes buttery but is healthier.

- What did you bake using Flora Buttery? - we made cupcakes and mini cakes, both assisted by DD age 6.

- How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with? I usually use Clover or real butter. Flora Butter tasted absolutely fine compared to those

- Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not? - yes I would use it again, it mixed in well, it cooked well and it tasted lovely

- If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not? - yes I would because it is easy to use, a good price and a good alternative to butter

I made plum flapjack and Victoria sponge cake.

The plum flapjack I have never made before but it turned out nicely so can comment on of it was different. The Victoria sponge turned out more dense that normal. Still tasted nice though.

No I wouldn't use it again. I didn't like the texture of the flora buttery. It seemed very 'shiney' compared to block butter. I usually use I can't believe it's not, or the aldi equivalent, and I think I will stick to them . The flora was very very soft to work with and I just didn't like it. Even when it was spread on bread it appeared very light coloured which made me think it had lots of softening agents and artificial stuff in.

No probably not just due to the above.

Ooops looks like I'm the only one so far who want keen

And I do normally use stork too but even compared to that I wasn't keen. Ah well. Still have some left may try again.

What did you bake using Flora Buttery?
we made Shortbread and blueberry muffins

• How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?

The end result was good, light texture and with good flavour.

• Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not? Yes i would if i can pick it up on offer. It is also good on sandwiches etc so is a good multipurpose spread. It was easy to use from the fridge so good for baking.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not? Yes i would recommend it, basically as its good for all uses and so when its on offer its handy to have in the fridge.

I finally managed to get some this weekend so will do some baking after school and report back.

I used flora buttery to bake shortbread with my 3 year old daughter. We were complimented on the taste by a friend and it was soft and easy to mix in however in my opinion shortbread made with real butter tastes better.
I would use up what we have left baking and would possibly recommend to a friend.

• What did you bake using Flora Buttery? Some cupcakes and a chocolate sponge cake
• How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with? Much lighter sponge, much easier to mix.
• Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not? Yes definitely. The tub is much better value compared to the block of butter I normally bought to bake with. It's much easier to mix for baking and the end results were better. I don't know why I hadn't bought it before!
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not? Already have! When they tried the cupcakes they wanted on the sponge and I told then what I had used. For 55p more you get twice as much compared to the supermarket own brand butter I used to buy. It's also much easier to keep in the fridge in the tub rather than the wrapped block I used to buy. Overall very happy to have tried it, thank you will definitely be buying it from now on.

What did you bake using Flora Buttery?
Chocolate fork biscuits

How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?
The biscuits were lighter and had risen more than usual so appeared bigger to a delighted daughter.

Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so why? Why not?

I wouldn't use Flora Buttery to make these biscuits again. We usually use butter and although the texture was much lighter the biscuits definitely didn't taste as good - there was an artificial taste to the biscuits. After we'd made them I read in the front of my (Mary Berry) baking book that she didn't recommend substituting margarine / spread for butter in this particular recipe so maybe it wasn't a fair test. My daughter found it much easier to help to mix the biscuits as the spread was much softer and easier to mix than the softened butter we usually use. We are going to make fairy cakes when we next bake to see if the results taste better.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?

I would recommend it for the ease of use with young children and for the fact that you don't need to think ahead and leave the butter out to soften. I'll wait until we've made the cakes to see if I would recommend it based on taste as well.

• What did you bake using Flora Buttery? little vanilla cup cakes and blueberry buttercream
• How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?the cakes weren't too different, i don't think they rose as much as normal but it may have been because I haven't baked in a while! The cakes were tasty and DP commented that he liked the 'butteriness' of them.
• Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not? I don'nt think to bake with, I think i would take a lot of convincing to move from block butter.It;s not bad and it was good that it was soft and easy to use.
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not? I would mention that I have used it and found it ok to bake with but not that I would use it over block butter

What did you bake using Flora Buttery?
I made gluten free fairy cakes.

How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?
Exactly the same as using my usual butter.

Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not?
If it was on offer then I might buy it. As others said it was much softer than normal butter (doesn't taste like butter though!)

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
Hmm, not sure really. If it came up in conversation (can't see that happening!) then I would say I've used it and it was fine, but I'd probably recommend butter instead.

What did you bake using Flora Buttery?
Vanilla cupcakes

How did the end result compare to what you usually use to bake with?
Was much the same as the butter I usually bake with but it was easier to mix

Would you be likely to use Flora Buttery to bake with again in the future or not? If so, why? If not why not?
I might buy it if it was on special but will probably just stick to butter. The one good thing about it was that it was soft so cold use it straight out of fridge unlike butter which you need to leave out to soften for a bit.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Flora Buttery to a friend or relative? If so why? If not, why not?
Probably not no, it doesn’t taste like real butter to me.

I finally received my voucher and used it to make scones. They were delicious and tasted creamier compared to the normal flora light we usually have in the fridge of ends up used in baking too!

I would use it again, definitely, but we don't as a general rule buy butter for health reasons! but do think it's delicious and if I were to choose a butter I would get this one.

Yes, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone as it is easy to use straight from the fridge, good for baking and delicious on toast!