Brits set to bake 66 million sweet treats this Easter – but many will end up in the bin

Budding home bakers will make a whopping 66 million sweet treats over the Easter weekend – but four in 10 admit some of these will be destined for the bin. A poll of 2,000 adults found 44 percent – the equivalent of 23 million Brits – are set to bake something over the long weekend, with wannabe pâtissiers creating an average of three items.

However, 45 percent admit their skills in the kitchen leave a lot to be desired – and for 32 percent, their creations haven’t always been suitable to serve to guests.

Of these botched bakes, 28 percent were burnt to a crisp, while 19 percent dropped the finished product on the floor – and nine percent even confused the sugar with salt.

The research was commissioned by Maltesers, which has launched the “Easter Hop-line” – an emergency delivery service that sends Maltesers Bunnies out to cover up any baking imperfections.

Florence Kayll, “head of Easter” for the chocolate company, said: “Easter has become the busiest time of year for bakers – and we all know pulling off the perfect bake isn’t as easy as they make it look on social media.”

It also emerged many have gone to great lengths to salvage their baking disasters, with 38 percent shaving off the burnt bits.

And 37 percent have attempted to hide an imperfection with icing, while three in 10 resorted to serving themselves the ugliest slice.

Getting distracted (23 percent) is the top excuse for these mishaps – along with misreading recipes (20 percent), and overestimating their own abilities (18 percent).

But although the bakes might not always be perfect, 43 percent still love baking during the Easter period. Of these, 48 percent reckon it’s a good activity to get the family together, and 40 percent say it is one of their favourite memories from growing up.

As such, 39 percent said whipping up a sweet treat in the kitchen at Easter makes them feel nostalgic.

Cakes (67 percent), biscuits (32 percent), and brownies (30 percent) are set to be the most popular items baked over Easter – as the average budding home baker has four recipes in their repertoire.

And others will be trying their hand at scones (25 percent) or muffins (24 percent) over the weekend.

Anyone in need of the Easter Hop-line in London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh, can call 0775-BUNNIES (07752 866437) this Saturday, March 30, for help with their bakes.