Features
Mothering Sunday
2 March 2008 is Mothering Sunday, a celebration with deep roots in British Christian tradition.
Traditionally, the fourth day of Lent was a day that domestic servants were allowed time off to visit their mother and their home (or 'mother') church.
Though these traditions are now a distant memory, sons and daughters up and down the country continue to use this day as an excuse to shower mothers with gifts and flowers. It's a great opportunity to cook up a tasty baked treat or make sweets or chocolates for someone special. Put a smile on your mother's face with her favourite cake...
The cake is decorated with 11 marzipan balls across the top, representing the 11 apostles, excluding Judas and it was originally given by servant girls to their mothers.
Though these traditions are now a distant memory, sons and daughters up and down the country continue to use this day as an excuse to shower mothers with gifts and flowers. It's a great opportunity to cook up a tasty baked treat or make sweets or chocolates for someone special. Put a smile on your mother's face with her favourite cake...
Flower power
A modern classic for Mothering Sunday is delicately zesty lemon-drizzle cake. Check out Mary Berry’s reliable tray bake recipe – decorate it with violets, primroses, daffodils and other spring flowers.
Simnel cake
Mothering Sunday is also known as Simnel Sunday, based on the tradition of making a marzipan-topped fruit cake called a simnel cake on this day.The cake is decorated with 11 marzipan balls across the top, representing the 11 apostles, excluding Judas and it was originally given by servant girls to their mothers.
