The Bettys Blog

The crack of caramel... the rich decadence of chocolate... the velvety slide of spoon through custard... our Cookery School's sumptuous Chocolate Crème Brûlée recipe is a dish that could melt a thousand hearts. And because we love you, here's the recipe.

Our founder, Frederick Belmont, had a taste for the finer things in life. In his spare time, he engaged in the fashionable pursuits of a 1930s Englishman gentleman - taking up flying lessons as a hobby, travelling first class on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary, and collecting and commissioning art. And, of course, the legacy of his great love for fine food and drink lives on today.

This is just one of the delicious recipes we teach at Bettys Cookery School. Have a go at home – we think you and your guests will love this moist and zesty cake.

Finding the perfect gift box or hamper just got even easier. This Christmas, we’ve brought together our tastiest treats with drinks specially chosen to complement them.

Robyn Cox is known as Bettys ‘Head of Beautiful’. That’s because it’s his job to create our much-loved Christmas window display. But this year there was a twist: his every move was shadowed by a film crew for a Channel 5 documentary, ‘Harrogate: A Great Yorkshire Christmas’.

Inspired by the collection of cute – and, dare we say, delicious – characters found in our Enchanted Forest, we’ve created some extra Christmas treats that are exclusive to the fancy counters in the shops at our six Café Tea Rooms. While their chocolate counterparts make wonderful gifts for the big day itself, these fancies are ideal for serving at parties, teatimes or whenever you want to bring some festive magic to the table.

Nothing says ‘Happy Christmas’ quite like a Bettys hamper. From teatime treats and chocolate delights to the ultimate gourmet adventure – there’s a perfect gift for everyone.

Four years ago, Bettys & Taylors launched an approach to sourcing that would help us to become more sustainable in the face of ever-increasing challenges such as climate change and rural poverty. We've collaborated with suppliers to integrate community and environmental improvements in their work to make a continued difference to the quality of their tea and coffee, and to the lives of the people who grow it.

This Christmas Eve, you may plan to hang those stockings up well out of the reach of any eager little hands too impatient to wait until the morning to see what Father Christmas has brought. But watch out: height will be no obstacle for one nimble intruder.

This Christmas, we’ve drawn upon the magic of the Enchanted Forest to create Freddie the Fox. With his bright eyes and inquisitive expression, he’s ready to delight everyone he meets. Like his friends Sophie the Squirrel and Harry the Hedgehog, Freddie may be made from chocolate, but we have to admit that our chocolatiers’ imaginations and craft skills have really brought him to life.

The keen-eyed among you will have spotted the illustrations of Emily Sutton adorning the packaging of Bettys treats from biscuits to Christmas puddings for a few years now. We just love her charming, hand-drawn style, so when we wanted to create something really magical for this Christmas, we knew just who to ask to bring our Enchanted Forest to life.

With six Café Tea Rooms serving seasonal specialities, a bookable afternoon tea experience in York and Harrogate, and an award-winning Cookery School, there are a stocking-full of ways Bettys can bring enchanted to your Christmas.

Ahead of this Friday's premier of our Christmas film on ITV, take a peek inside The Enchanted Forest.

The first signs of Christmas are twinkling on the horizon. As the days become a little shorter, the nights are starting to sparkle – and somewhere just outside the town, fresh snow is falling on the Enchanted Forest. Look closely at the ground and you may just spy a scattering of tiny footprints. It’s a telltale hint that a snuffling hedgehog, a bushy-tailed squirrel and a friendly fox have just passed by, on the trail of some delicious festive treats. We might have a suggestion or two.

Spectacular and unique, these dainty Genoese sponge fancies are each hand-iced with a Catherine wheel or rocket design. They're one of several shop exclusives, which also include our legendary White Chocolate Ganache Ghosts and our spooky Ghost Biscuits.

If Bettys is your favourite haunt, hop on your broomstick and fly to us quick because we have some frightfully delicious Halloween treats to tempt you.

Our chocolates are presented in luxurious keepsake boxes with decorative patterns by York artist Emily Sutton. The only thing more perfect than what's on the outside, is what's on the inside.

Crafty ghouls have been busy at work turning Bettys windows into worlds of spooky frights. The centrepieces are creepy Halloween castles, inhabited by wizards, witches and cackling skeletons. Believe it or not, they're crafted by the conjurers in our cake decoration room. In their hands a piping bag is a magic wand.

Our love of chutneys and preserves stems from our obsession with ingredients and flavour. We delight in the opportunity to share tastebud-tingling combinations of fruit, spice and vegetable, and we’re proud to be able to champion traditional British produce such as damson, pear and Victoria plum.

Our Marzipan & Sponge Apples are real favourite at this time of year. We think it’s the fact that they’re so strikingly realistic. Surely most would agree that they’re one of your five a day?

Whether you're joining us for Afternoon Tea or picking up provisions for a walk on Ilkley Moor - a visit to Bettys makes your day magical.

In Greek mythology Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was traditionally accompanied by an owl. This is one of several reasons why owls are considered clever sorts. Our Owl Cupcake Brownie pays a chocolatey tribute to this wise old bird.