How to include fruits in your baking

Why use fruits in your baking?

There are a plethora of benefits to including fruit in your baking recipes. First of all, the flavour! Fruit's unrivalled flavour will infuse your baked goods with the aroma and flavour of the season. Fruit gives your sweet treats a fresh and timely flair that will increase their nutritional value, especially if you use fresh, local, and seasonal food.

Fruit will also give your baked goods a new visual component. People are drawn to fruit's promise of sweetness and flavour, whether it's a garnish of fresh raspberries on top of a biscotti cupcake or adding some fresh coulis to a birthday cake.

Which fruits can I use?

Berries, such as currants, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. All contain pectin, which is a natural sugar that can add body and sweetness to any preparation. Apples, pears, and similar fruits work well in denser and longer baking times. Tropical fruits, such as pineapple, mango, and passion fruit, work wonderfully in cupcakes or as coulis. Stone fruits, like pears, peaches, nectarines, and cherries, are incredibly sweet, and colourful and melt into syrup naturally when added to baked products. Lastly, bananas have long been a staple in baking. They are an excellent substitute for sugar and eggs as well.

How can I add fruit to cupcakes and cakes?

Before you pour the batter into the pan, stir in chopped fresh fruit to give your favourite cake, quick bread, or cupcake a boost. But before adding the fruit or berries to your batter, lightly dust with all-purpose flour to avoid them bleeding into the batter (turning the batter the same colour as the fruit).

Including fruit purées and powders in baked goods

Fruit purées are a great option to add fruits to a picky eater’s diet without them noticing. Fruit purée is a great substitute for whole or chopped fruit in most baked dishes. By incorporating a vibrant purée into a cake, you can create a beautiful, striated texture. Alternately, flavour buttercream icing with a purée, or add a colourful surprise to a layer cake.

Another option is fruit powders. You can find them easily online and they are a great way to add a boost of colour or flavour to any preparation. They are very concentrated, so be mindful of the amount you add.

We hope this article has given you a better idea of how to include more fruits in sweet treats. But if you are feeling like eating a fruity cake without having to make it yourself, check out our wide selection of delicious and beautiful fruit cakes. Order now to ensure next-day delivery all over London and within the M25.