Anchor Butter Feedback Thread - see what Mumsnetters created with Anchor butter PLUS chance for non testers to win £250! NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the 250 Mumsnetters who have been trying out Anchor butter and the baking kits with their children. Non testers - do check out the feedback from the testers PLUS what's your favourite flavour cake? Chocolate, Victoria Sponge, Carrot, something else? Add your comment to this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 voucher to spend in John Lewis (imagine all the baking kit you could get!)

Here's what Anchor says: “We're looking forward to seeing what MNers have created with our rich and creamy block butter. We know it's perfect for all types of tasty bakes, whether it's making the pastry for your homemade chicken pie, or millionaires shortbread for that weekend treat with the kids. At Anchor we've been making block butter for over 125 years, to bring bakers high quality, rich and creamy butter for their bakes."

Plenty of recipe ideas here – including delicious
ginger biscuits or does anyone fancy
Cheese Scones for a snack?

Below are the questions we'd like testers to answer, but please feel free to add your own comments too.

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.

5. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?

6. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?

7. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?

8. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?

All testers who leaves their feedback on this thread and who complete the survey (emailed to testers) will be entered in to a prize draw, where one lucky Mumsnet tester will win a £300 John Lewis voucher.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Closing date: Friday 8th May at 9am

1. What bakes did you and your DC create?
   We made iced fairy cakes using the Mumsnet Victoria Sponge recipe.

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process?
   Licking the bowl and spoon and eating the cakes.

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?
   It's a great way of passing a wet afternoon and good for them to learn these skills.

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter?
   The whole family agreed that they were our best cakes yet so the Anchor must have made a difference.

5. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?
   I'm normally use Stork for the cakes and butter for the icing. I normally use salted but have used both.

6. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?
   Very pleased. They were eaten very quickly.

7. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?
   Yes I would. I often use cheaper alternatives but my mother always used Anchor so I was aware it had been on the go for a while.

8. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?
   Yes, I would. The recipients all thought they were the best cakes they had tasted.

We ( DD and I) made some almond and jam cup cakes.

DD enjoys all the preparation.. weighing and measuring the ingredients and cracking the eggs etc.

I enjoy spending time with DD.. also as I work full time, and dont spend much time in the kitchen ( DH is a SAHD) I enjoy baking for the family.. its theraputic!

I have recently reverted back to butter for baking... usually unsalted. I did notice it was easy to cream with the sugar, but couldnt tell the difference between anchor and what we usually use in the taste... sorry!

We were very pleased with our cakes... and DS scoffed most of them within a day!

We eat butter in our household rather then spread... I did enjoy the anchor on toast, so would buy it again.

Thanks for the apron, spoon and bowl... they will be well used!

1) What bakes did you and your DC create?
We made a victoria sandwich (with chocolate buttercream) and some chocolate fudge. (using up easter eggs!)

2) What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!
DS2 likes the decorating bit, DS1 likes the eating bit and DD loves licking the spoon/beater/bowl :)

3) What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?
I liked using up and getting rid of the big bowl of easter eggs. Also like that the DC are learning practical skills while still having fun with them.

4) If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.
No, I don't think they tasted any different to usual.

6) Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?
For general baking I usually use margarine but do use unsalted butter when making fudge. I am aware that unsalted is good for baking.

7) Were you pleased with the results of your baking?
Yes, very pleased and it seemed to be enjoyed by all. :)

8) Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?
I would use it again if it was on offer but as I didn't taste any real difference, I think I would continue with what I usually use. I wasn't aware that they were the original and it isn't important to me at all.

9) If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?
Not sure, I wouldn't say anything against it but don't think it's much different to any alternative block.

Thank you so much for the baking kit - I really liked the bowl/jug - it's a great size and the angled top is good for the kids seeing in without having to tip it too much! :)

Thankyou for the butter. No photos, sorry.

1. What bakes did you and your DC create?
   Fairy cakes with nutella icing, inspired by someone's earlier creation, and fruit scones.

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!
   I baked one with DS, who liked licking the bowl best, and DD loved rubbing in the flour for scones.

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?
   I love baking.

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.
   I noticed the difference, both tasted richer and more flavoursome.
   This surprised me - I switched to spreadable butter for baking a while ago thinking there was no difference, and didn't notice it at the time, but going back, what a difference.
   It is like going upgrading to the luxury brand of a cake.

5. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?

6. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?
   Yes

7. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?
   Yes, but not for everyday baking, I buy according to price.
   I wasn't aware Anchor was the original block butter, this wouldn't change my opinion.

8. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?
   I would say i noticed the difference between butter and margarine. I couldn't say this is specifically due to Anchor, although I suspect I would notice the difference between Anchor butter and bottom-label butter.

Thanks again for this, it has been one of my favourite product tests.

Non-tester here

My favourite cake is a sponge, flavoured with cinnamon, sandwiched and topped with honey lemon butter icing. Mmmmmmm!

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? We made the cupcakes from the anchor website. DS insisted on white chocolate icing, the philistine.

2. What was your childs favourite aspect of the baking process?
   DS really loved having his own bowl and spoon - thank you. He likes breaking eggs, but licking the bowl is still the best bit.

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?
   Letting him loose with all the bits to decorate the cupcakes.

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter?
   I don't think the cakes taste different, but l ate some on bread and it was definitely creamier than our normal butter.

5. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?
   We normally use salted butter. I don't like salted butter for spreading and I'm not organised enough to keep two types in the house.

6. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?
   They were great - moist and fluffy (once I'd scraped off the icing!)

7. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?
   I wouldn't buy Anchor again for baking. I can buy twice as much own-brand butter for the 1.80 of a 250g pack, and it didn't taste twice as good. I might buy it as a treat for the butter dish or for butter icing or something like garlic butter though.

8. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family?
   Probably not, unless they were looking for a creamier butter.

1. We made raspberry cheesecake brownies. Delicious!
2. She loved helping to mix (even if a considerable amount did end up on the floor!)
3. Seeing the sense of satisfaction in her when she created something yummy!
4. Yes it did taste nicer, more buttery than the normal baking block I use
5. It depends what I'm making. I use butter if th recipe doesn't use loads and I can afford it, otherwise best for baking block is fine.
6. Yes, very!
7. Yes I would if the price was a little lower. No I didn't know that, but no it wouldn't influence whether I bought it- sorry.
8. The only thing that might put me off recommending it is the price compared to supermarket own brands.

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!

We made banana muffins... I modified a very easy banana bread recipe so that it was child proof!

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!

Spending time 'helping' me, and licking the bowl! She loved having her own apron and bowl, and she specially loved the spoon because it was bendy!

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?

I bake with DD a lot, as my Mum did with me. It's really good quality time, and you get something yummy to eat at the end... What's not to like!

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.

I am a Kiwi, so have a strong brand to Anchor. However, times are hard and I have started shopping in Aldi, so quality butter is now a rare treat! I can't tell the difference in baking to be fair but can definitely tell the difference for instance when melted on toast.

6. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?

Never margarine! Eurgh. Butter but I tend to use salted on the basis that then I don't need to by two separate blocks, and most recipes asking for salt free butter also ask for salt!

7. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?

Yes! The muffins were lovely, and we made a chocolate buttercream icing to seal the deal. Unexpected guests popped around 10 minutes after they were finished, so it couldn't have been more perfect really!

8. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?

Yes it I could afford to. Wasn't aware they were the original, don't really care, it's all about the current taste!

9. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?

Yes, cos I'm patriotic! And DD, who often begs for 'a little bit of butter.... Please?!' for her finger while baking, said it was the yummiest butter ever!

Tried to post this with images before and it didn't load, so this time will post the images separately in a second.

DD eating raw butter. As she does, regularly. Although not as often as she'd like ;)

Stirring...

To the victor go the spoils!

We made some simple bakes today. Apologies for lack of cakes in photos but we had some guests who devoured them!

1. We made individual lemon drizzle cakes, Rose & Pistachio cupcakes ( should have been turkish delight but we ate that yesterday) & some Chocolate Baileys cupcakes, to have popping candy sprinkled on before eating.

1. He loved helping me measure out the ingredients & spooning the mixture into the cases he expertly placed in the muffin tray.

1. It was lovely just to spend time chatting about nothing in particular. I enjoyed explaining to him how all the ingredients combine into a lovely cake!

1. I normally use own brand butter for cakes. Everyone really enjoyed these bakes with Anchor. They taste better than normal. I will stick to Anchor for baking now.

1. I have always used unsalted butter for baking. I wouldnt dream of using margarine or salted butter unless the recipe specified it must be.

1. Very pleased! The cakes were well received & very light & fluffy. The Buttercream icing was moreish.

1. I will use Anchor again. I usually use cheaper butter for cakes only but felt that this more expensive butter improved the taste. I wasn't aware of Anchors history.

1. I will & I have already. I'm very impressed!

Thank you for the opportunity to try this & both of my kids love the bowl, spoon & apron.

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!

We made 'chocolate pizza' with the kids. Then mummy made lemon curd on her own too which was yummy. Ok lemon curd isn't 'baking' as such but it worked really well with a great quality butter.

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!

Everything. All my kids love baking. I think it is a chance for them to get creative with food and then enjoy eating it.

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?

Quality time spent together knowing they are learning something useful.

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.
   Not sure how different it 'tastes' but seems a better quality in terms of 'feel' and using it.

5. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?
   It really varies. We use stork if kids are mixing by hand as that is softer. For things where the taste really matters we use butter - generally unsalted but if i only have salted then i'd use that as i don't think it makes a huge difference.

6. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?
   yes - very pleased.

7. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?
   I'd use it again because it was really good quality to use. I prefer using a properly branded butter but usually buy when on promotion otherwise unbranded works out better in price.

8. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?

yes - because the cooking turned out great (and it tastes great generally - not just for cooking and baking).

Non-tester here - my favourite flavour of cake is chocolate at the moment! Preferably sickly sweet with chocolate buttercream icing.

Thanks for choosing us to be testers, DD loves her own mixing bowl and spoon, but most of all the apron

1) What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!
We made Anzac Biscuits a bit like flapjacks in a biscuit form. We had planned to make cheese scones but a shortage of flour (week after making cakes for DS's 1st birthday) meant we had to find different things to make

2) What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!
DD loves licking the spoons, especially after adding golden syrup.

3) What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?
Its one of the few activities we can do just the two of us, as DS can be very demanding on my time. I also spent many weekends in the kitchen with my mum when I was growing up and I hope I'm creating the same memories with DD.

4) If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.
I wouldn't say it tastes different, we typically use own brand, although I did notice that sometimes own brand can be very salty even if you use the unsalted variety

6) Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?
I try to always use butter, although have used margarine when baking for someone who was dairy intolerant.
I typically use unsalted butter for baking, unless making savory pastry because I think salted butter just makes it so much nicer

7) Were you pleased with the results of your baking?
Very, although anything I make never lasts as long as I expect them too

8) Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?
I would definitely use Anchor again. I wasn't aware that anchor has been around for 125 years (until I saw the packaging) and I'd say it does help influence my buying decisions as a company with a sub standard product wouldn't be around that long

9) If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?
Definitely. It wasn't the most expensive butter, and my baking didn't suffer from using it

We haven't received our kit. :-(

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!

We made flapjacks and squidgy rhubarb cake (gingerbread with lovely stewed rhubarb underneath)

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!

Definitely licking the bowl!

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?

Seeing how much DD was enjoying herself

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.

I usually just use whichever butter I have in the fridge - usually a sp0readable butter. I found the flapjacks in particular much better with the anchor butter - less greasy.

6. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?

I usually use spreadable butter, usually slightly salted.

7. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?

Very.

8. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?

Yes I would use anchor again, or to be completely honest probably a cheaper version of unsalted block butter rather than my usual spreadable butter.

9. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?

Probably, I would have to test it against other brands to be convinced it is better.

Non-tester - I'm not sure I can choose a favourite cake, it changes depending on my mood. But if I have to, today it's lemon.

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!

Easter Egg Chocolate Chip Cookies with left-over Easter Eggs chopped up!

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!

Tasting before and after the cooking!

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?

Spending 1:1 time with one of my twins. It is often difficult to get time alone with them.

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.

Yes. More creamier and richer.

6. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?

Usually use store own-brand salted butter. Yes, aware of unsalted butter's uses but prefer salted butter.

7. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?

Yes. Delicious! The cookies didn't last until the end of the day.

8. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?

Yes as the end product tasted so good. However, always aware of cost of shopping and need to factor this in when choosing branded products.

9. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?

Yes due to this product test.

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!

We made cupcakes, my little man loves baking cupcakes.

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!

Mixing is always fun but for my little man his favourite part is decorating them afterwards.

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?

Spending a little bit of time together to make them and then having a little picnic afterwards to eat them.

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.

We've used Anchor butter many times as we find it tastes great and is easy to bake with.

6. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?

We tend to use butter unless it's a spur of the moment thing and then we will use whatever we have in the fridge.

7. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?

Yes, we were very pleased with our end results.

8. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?

Yes we will be using it again but no we didn't know it had been around for that long.

9. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?

Of course, us mums share our baking tips all the time so why not.

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!

Chocolate and cream cupcakes

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!

Taking part in the process especially mixing and licking the bowl at the end, but they don't like helping me tidy away after lol

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?

A fun activity to do together on a weekend afternoon and my children love eating things what they have made. Also it help them practice basic baking skills.

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.

I have always used Anchor butter because of habit as my mum always got it when we were growing up.

6. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?

I usually use margarine for everyday baking and butter for special baking i.e for guests or birthday cakes etc. I wasn't aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking because i always like the balance of using a hint of salt in my sweet baking, therefore whenever i have used unsalted butter i always add a pinch of salt.

7. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?

Yes

8. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?

I have always seen my mum use it and i always buy anchor when its on offer.

9. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?

I recommend butter generally over margarine. Anchor butter is tasty and easy to use.

DS and I made Apple Sponge Pudding are our bake off. He's normally a bit reluctant but the new apron got him in the mood to help. His favourite bit was definitely licking the spoon but he also enjoyed weighing out the ingredients. I enjoyed spending this time with him and he was more willing to test the results as a consequence (fussy).
I always sues butter for my baking but I'm not brand loyal as such. The Anchor was very good though, I would use again. I would also recommend.

Thank you for choosing us!

1. What bakes did you and your DC create? Please post a photo or two on the thread of the finished result or of the baking session!

We made iced lemon flatcake (gluten free recipe from Sam Stern)

2. What was your child’s favourite aspect of the baking process? Getting messy, licking the bowl at the end or anything in between!

my tiny dd loved having 'her' special bowl and apron. Both dds love cracking the eggs and pouring in ingredients. Oh and of course, licking the bowl.

3. What was your favourite aspect of baking with your DC?

Spending time with them, chatting, seeing how excited they were and their sense of achievement.

4. If you don't normally use Anchor, do you think that your bakes taste different when using Anchor butter compared to your normal butter? Please explain.

I sometimes use Anchor spreadable - it tastes lovely.

6. Do you normally use butter or margarine for baking? Do you usually use unsalted or salted butter for baking? How aware were you that using unsalted butter is great for baking?

I will use butter-flavour spread for high-volume baking like school fairs (as they always sell the cakes for stupid amounts like 5p each) but butter for small batches to eat at home. Yes I was aware.

7. Were you pleased with the results of your baking?

Yes, dc loved them.

8. Would you use Anchor butter again for your baking? Why? Were you aware Anchor was the original block butter company having made butter for over 125 years? Is this important to you?

I would use Anchor again, but maybe not the block as it was very hard for little people to mix. Have no interest at all in how long it's been around.

9. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend Anchor butter to friends and family? Why?

That's a big if (and a very boring conversation!) but yes, it's our favourite butter.

Non Tester

Favourite cake is a good old Victoria Sponge with the whipped cream in centre and heavily dusted with icing sugar

We made scones with our pat of Anchor as my son (11) has recently become obsessed by them!

My two kids (8 & 11) love baking. They enjoy following the recipe, measuring and weighing out and of course eating the finished product! My daughter loves to lick the bowl out whilst my son really doesn't like getting his hands into the mixture!

Baking is one of our favourite activities as now they are a bit older I can 'assist' whilst they take the lead and we have loads of fun in the kitchen.

We normally use margerine for baking as it is softer and easier to use. However I've recently been reading about how synthetic margerine is and am keen to use more natural ingredients. We used unsalted Anchor for our scones and although we had to soften the Anchor to use it in the recipe the taste difference was noticeable.

Of course we were also able to use the Anchor to spread on our scones when we ate them!

I'm now a butter convert and would definitely consider buying Anchor now instead of margerine. Natural and tasty!