What makes a great Mother’s Day bake?

A great Mother’s Day cake reflects the tastes of the recipient and the skill level of the person – or people – making it.

Mums think about other people for 364 days of the year so, before you tie on your apron, have a good think about what kind of bake your mum, granny, mother-in-law or partner would really like. Which flavours do they always plump for in the coffee shop or at afternoon tea? If they love an old-school carrot or date and walnut cake then go for that, rather than trying to impress with an edgy chilli-choc and tahini number. Are they a white, dark or milk chocolate fan? Which fruits and flavours do they like to cook with at home? Maybe they don’t have much of a sweet tooth. In which case, scroll down for a fabulous savoury bake.

Once you’ve decided on the type of cake you’d like to make, choose one that reflects your skill level – this should be an enjoyable experience! Sponge cakes, brownies, muffins and loaf cakes are all good choices for novice bakers. If you’re baking with kids, they can get really involved with these entry-level bakes – weighing the ingredients, stirring, whisking and a bit of haphazard drizzling of icing at the end.

If you’re up for a challenge, then try a layer cake, delicate mini bakes for an afternoon tea or a time consuming-but-rewarding savoury loaf. The mum(s) in your life will be delighted. And with any luck they’ll offer you a slice, too.

Five of the best Mother’s Day bakes

The easy bake to make with kids

Easy flourless chocolate cake
This flourless chocolate cake is a doddle to make with little helpers. The batter is quite forgiving as the finished bake is supposed to be a little cracked and craggy. Kids can help decorate the chocolate cake with simple decorations (berries,  edible flowers, pretty cake toppers or sprinkles all work here). Your junior chefs will be so proud of their efforts, and there’s enough for everyone to enjoy a slice or two.

The timeless classic

Best of the best carrot cake
This is the only carrot cake recipe you’ll ever need. Our best-ever carrot cake recipe has the perfect combo of fragrant, spiced sponge cake and indulgent brown-butter mascarpone frosting. It’s so good, Mum will be asking YOU for the recipe.

The savoury bake

Savoury babka loaf
Who says a Mother’s Day bake has to be sweet? If the mum in your life is Team Cheese rather than Team Pud, then treat them to a homemade savoury creation. Spend a quiet afternoon in the kitchen kneading and plaiting this fragrant babka stuff threaded with creamy ricotta and a rich truffle pesto.

The showstopper bake

Rhubarb and custard layer cake
Mother’s Day falls during rhubarb season, so what better excuse than to make this spectacular layer cake? There’s four layers of airy vanilla sponge, alternating with custard-cream buttercream and rhubarb jam. The showstopping sponge is topped with shards of white choc and curls of candied  rhubarb. You’ll be in Mum’s permanent good books after this one.

The little Mother’s Day treats to share

Homemade fondant fancies
Know a mum who’s partial to mini treats? They’ll love this homemade take on fondant fancies. The individual madeira cake cubes are sandwiched with jam and finished with buttercream and pastel-pink icing. Perfect served on a tiered cake stand as part of a Mother’s Day tea.

For more inspiration, check out our Mother’s Day recipes collection, which includes bakes, breakfasts, brunches and mains.