Rowan joins us as our newest Cake & Culinary Ambassador, bringing you delicious recipes every month. From Strawberry & Passionfruit Eton Mess Cake to Focaccia Sandwich Platters and more. Join us in welcoming Rowan Claughton.
What first inspired you to start baking, and how did you develop your passion for it?
I’ve always been a creative spirit, and I’ve always liked to eat! Blend the two together and you have the recipe for a budding young baker. Fast forward to the advent of YouTube and I found myself rushing back from school to watch tutorials on how to bake. It soon became my only hobby and the rest is history!
What’s the most memorable or challenging bake you’ve ever attempted, and how did it turn out?
I decided that, during the final and most important year of university, baking a wedding cake in a shared house of five was a great idea. I cleared the fridge of everyone’s things (I’m still apologising for this) and got to work. It took days and I probably missed an essay or two to make it but it turned out beautifully! Three tiers of the most decadent chocolate cake, with flowers from top to bottom.
What’s your favourite thing to bake with Cotswold Flour, and why?
I’m a cake connoisseur so naturally the Fine Cake Flour is amazing to use. It ensures a beautiful crumb and means I don’t need to sift anymore.
As a baking ambassador, what are you most excited to share with our community of bakers?
I’m excited to share unique takes on classic recipes using really a range of high quality flours.
If you could share one baking tip or secret with fellow home bakers, what would it be?
You can create your own steam drawer for bread by adding a few inches of hot water into a sink, placing in your covered dough and then covering the sink with cling film! Beautifully risen dough in half the time.
How do you stay creative in the kitchen when experimenting with new recipes?
It can be exhausting to search for new recipe ideas and inspiration but I tend to bake within the seasons and go from there. Rhubarb has been in season recently so that was the ingredient I focused most of my bakes on.
What’s one ingredient or tool in your kitchen you can’t live without?
My stand mixer is my best friend.
