Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

A manor house, a tower, a dungeon and a family of swans. All made from sugar. And some of them even decorated with gold. Henry VIII certainly knew how to throw a dinner party.

In this episode of Baking Perfect, we’re back with Strange Crumbs, the series exploring the strange, forgotten and occasionally ridiculous history of food and baking.

This time, we’re heading to Tudor England, where sugar was an enormously expensive imported luxury and royal banquets were as much about showing off your wealth and influence as they were about feeding your guests.

Join me, Ruby, from Brown Butter Bakes as we explore the extraordinary world of Tudor sugarwork, from the elaborate edible sculptures known as subtleties to the spectacular creations recorded at Henry VIII’s court in 1527.

We’ll look at the skilled confectioners responsible for these extraordinary works of edible art, why sugar became such a powerful symbol of status, and how a royal feast could double as a rather elaborate exercise in political theatre.

We’ll also discover how some of these centuries-old confectionery techniques have survived into modern patisserie, albeit with considerably fewer sugar dungeons.

From baking science and recipe development to the stranger corners of culinary history, Baking Perfect explores food from every angle, one curious story at a time.

Follow Brown Butter Bakes

For more baking science, recipe development, curious food history and behind-the-scenes bits and bats, come and find me on:

🎥 YouTube: Brown Butter Bakes

📸 Instagram: @brownbutterbake

🍪 TikTok: @brownbutterbakesleeds

✍️ Substack: Brown Butter Bakes

And visit www.brownbutterbakes.uk for recipes, baking resources and all things brown butter!