Thank you so much for everyone who came and visited the hottest Sheffield brownies shop (stall) on Sunday 18th July at Sharrow Vale market.
The weather was so hot, I think peaking out at around 30c, and even from setting up early doors, by the time people started to arrive it was around 22 degrees. I was constantly tracking where the sun would be, and how to keep the brownies cool with boxes of ice packs, a host of battery operated fans and cooler boxes, all working overtime.
I was so pleased to meet so many customers who had ordered brownies online and had them delivered by post, the feedback from individual customers was really inspiring, so thank you again, and I was also given some great ideas for new flavour combinations and which were peoples favourite brownies, but I must say, the Lemon blondies, the July pop up flavour of Raspberry and white chocolate blondie and the Bakewell Blondie were very popular on the day.
Sharrow Vale Market, is my favourite street market, the organisers and marshals’ are really lovely, it is such a nice little community, made even better with the other traders who all help each other out and get along so well, it was so interesting to listen to their stories of how they have coped and the effects of Covid to everyone’s businesses, I know for me it is such a change from selling brownies online and packing the brownies in letterbox gift boxes for posting anywhere in the UK, to actually meeting people who clearly loved what they saw and gave you immediate feedback from the sample etc.
I know the day of this year’s summer market, was actually the last day of the Government Covid restrictions before the so called freedom day, but Sharrow Vale markets had quite rightly made the decision for everyone’s safety to reduce the number of stalls, and to put as many Covid safeguards in place, but this didn’t affect the great market atmosphere which I have so missed, and above all the market was a great success, so thank you to all those lovely people from Sharrow Vale markets and the community association, and please keep supporting the local businesses.
I wanted to just give you a little insight into some of the things I had to prepare for or consider in the week during the run up to the market,
Lots of baking!! Yes, that is the obvious part! But what else is involved?
I recently set up my gazebo to give it a clean down and check it was ship shape, It was, thankfully. Then check I had all my corner weights to hold everything down if it got windy, check I had washed and cleaned all the covers if it rained! I take my gazebo with me to all markets as I feel it is all part of my brand. I take pride in my whole set up and the appearance of the stall. The one thing I didn’t check with over a week to go was have I got masses of ice packs, electric fans and cooler boxes? This is the UK, surely I won’t need them?
Banners! I had these reprinted as the previous ones were slightly too big and bugging me ( me and my perfectionism) so I am very happy with the new banners. I have one at the back of the stall so you guys can see who we are straight away! ‘Scrumptious by Lucy’ and one at the front below the blondies and brownies.
I have 2 flags which fly high above the stand, again so you don’t miss out and can spot us easily !
Tables and tablecloths have been checked and washed! At this point I am feeling excited! I have so missed this! Bags, Gloves, Sanitiser, Anti-bacterial spray (and literally my kitchen sink box for if anything goes wrong!! ) also the see through plastic flexi guards across the front of the stall to protect the cakes.
Now it’s brownie time! What bakes am I taking?
Market regulars will know I have previously sold a selection of cakes, brownies, blondies and sweet treats to please everyone, however now I have streamlined into Brownies and Blondies my stock is changing!
First up the blondies. Blondies are a great alternative to brownies If you are not a big chocolate lover. I have the top seller Bakewell, a delicious almond base swirled with raspberry jam, drizzled with icing, and topped with freeze dried raspberries,
Next, it is my absolute favourite and this one has been created from the famous lemon drizzle, the Lemon Blondie. What makes this extra special is the homemade lemon curd that is swirled through the lemon base then drizzled with a lemon icing.
Next is the Lotus Blondie! If you love Lotus, you will be in heaven with this one! The caramalised lightly spiced taste is heavenly and every mouthful of this blondie leaves you wanting more!
Orange and Almond is a blondie I created after loving a cake I tried in Sydney, Australia when visiting my sister-in-law. I absolutely loved the bitterness whole oranges can give, yet there is still a sweetness that comes from the vanilla, it is a must try and is perfect for those summer days.
Let’s not forget the July pop up! The Raspberry and White Chocolate Blondie! Raspberry curd tops a sweet vanilla base studded with white chocolate. The blondie is topped with more white chocolate and freeze dried raspberries. It is truly scrumptious!!
Now for the brownies! First up, the chocolate brownie. It is rich, fudgy and moreish as hell! A perfect blend of dark and milk chocolate gives this the chocolate fix you desire!
The Peanut Butter Brownie begins with a chocolate brownie base, peanut butter is then swirled into the mixture to get the perfect sweet and salty hit. This Brownie is in the Top Seller Box for a reason!
The Nutella Brownie does not need much of an introduction! This brownie has lashings of Nutella swirled into the mix. It tastes incredible.
The Coconut Brownie is a twist on a Bounty Bar. The sweet coconut topping compliments the rich chocolate brownie perfectly.
The Salted Caramel Brownie. Salted Caramel is lush, I could drink it, so when added to the chocolate brownie mix your sure to get a winning combination. Carmel oozes from the brownie whilst some of the caramel has caramalised on top! It’s a tasty treat!
The Terry’ Chocolate Orange Brownie is a favourite. Chocolate and orange are a perfect match. I add orange zest to create a natural orange flavour. Yum!
The Oreo brownie is topped with vanilla frosting. The rich chocolate base combined with the vanilla frosting emulates the flavours of the Oreo. It’s finished with Oreo’s for that perfect crunch!
Let us not forget the Gluten Free and Vegan range. I have spent a lot of hours perfecting my GF and Vegan range. The vegan flavours that will be at the market are Vegan Oreo and the Vegan Chocolate and Raspberry. The Gluten Free Chocolate and the Gluten Free Bakewell.
So, the behind the scenes of market day prep. The hard bit for you is going to be which flavour to pick on the day! Gift boxes and sleeves will be available for you to add 4 blondies and brownies to take home to your family and friends as a gift.
Now Friday is here and the weather really does look like it may be 30C, so a mad dash all over Sheffield buying up ice packs, and battery operated fans and camping style cool boxes, I then had to fill and freeze all the ice packs and on Saturday pop them I the brownies packing boxes and see how long they lasted before they turned to water, and fortunately they were brilliant and kept the brownies really cool, so that fear was put aside and now for the sleepless night on Saturday thinking, “Have I done this” “Have I got enough of that” “What if” etc, etc
Finally Sunday morning arrived bright and early and my husband Thomas went to set up the stall whilst I finished all the baking and packing.
Date for your diary is 12th December at Sharrow Vale for the winter market, and this time we might again hit 30 degrees, but Fahrenheit and not Celsius!
Love Lucy x