In the Bakery: January 2025

What a year 2024 was! There’s no denying that we’re all slightly relieved here at Birds when January comes around, and we can finally put our feet up with a good cake. As we close 2024, the Christmas rush is over, mince pies are a distant memory, and we all can’t wait for a bit of sunshine.  

Thanks to our team of innovative bakers, we are beginning 2025 with a pop of taste and colour. From French pastries to warming pasties, winter themed cupcakes and malt rolls, our year is already set to be a delicious one.  

French Pastries 

For the past 8 months, we have been creating, perfecting and taste testing our new Viennoiserie (French) Pastry. They are known for being rich, elegant and fanciful – and our creations really do tick all those boxes.   

We are starting the year with a reimagined recipe of our much-loved Cinnamon Bun. We know – if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. But, to a baker, a recipe is never entirely finished, there are always improvements and changes that can be made. The new recipe bun dons an icing, enriched with ground cinnamon, and intricate layers of laminated pastry that create a beautiful airy web inside. Every bite is a buttery, flaky and gooey mouthfeel with warming aromas of cinnamon hitting your senses.  

Also headed into stores was a product we have all been eagerly waiting for. It not only looks glorious, but it tastes it too. We’ve swirled jammy, ruby red raspberries through French pastry, a dollop of almond frangipane and a sprinkling of crunchy, nutty green pistachios. Our Raspberry and Pistachio Danish is not one to miss and is already a staff favourite. It’s a welcomed addition to our breakfast menu and a well requested treat for Sundays.  

Chicken Balti Pasty  

Don’t worry savoury lovers, we haven’t forgotten about you! The newest edition to our savoury bakes is one to warm you up even on the coldest of days. We’ve paired succulent pieces of chicken, diced carrots, spinach, and a blend of spices and curry powder. To ensure it packs a punch, we’ve added extra chilli powder – just enough to feel the heat. Our savoury team then encase this mouth-watering filling into a light puff pastry. Chicken Balti is the nation’s favourite pie filling for a reason! 

Malt Rolls 

Now, we know we’ve upset some people along the way with our quest for a better brown roll, and we are very sorry for that. But we are certain our new creation will lessen the loss of our brown.  

Louis, our bakery supervisor, has been kneading, rolling, baking and tasting to find the perfect blend for our new recipe. He has created a rustic soft malt roll, with a distinct nutty yet sweet flavour. Made with a blend of malted wheat and malted barley, then hand sprinkled with oats and malted wheat flakes. The malt roll has a warm colour inside with darker flecks throughout and a molasses caramel colour exterior. The malted barley gives the bread its attractive, dark colour and delicious roasted flavour.  

We are launching this roll with our new chicken, stuffing and mango chutney filling, which compliments the nutty flavour of the roll. Making a return alongside this launch is our egg mayonnaise and streaky bacon filling that was previously found on our multiseed baton. 

Whether you’re a Sunday stroller looking for coffee and pastries, or a mid-week savoury snacker, we’ve been crafting something for everyone.  We’ve put our hearts (and a lot of butter) into every bite, and hope you’ll enjoy these as much as we've enjoyed baking them. 

Love, Birds.