The sweetest kind of support – How Home Baking and Award-Winning Care Go Hand in Hand isn’t just a headline – it’s a reflection of how we approach home care at Braeburn Care. For us, delivering exceptional care means more than just ticking off tasks; it’s about creating warm, personal moments that truly make a difference.
A perfect example of this came recently when Cherry, one of our dedicated Care Professionals, used a little extra time during a customer visit to bake homemade cupcakes — a thoughtful gesture that brought comfort, joy, and a sweet reminder of the power of compassionate care.
Home Care with Heart — and a Hint of Sponge
This moment might seem simple on the surface – a carer baking cupcakes during a home visit – but it perfectly illustrates the ethos that underpins our award-winning care services. In May 2025, Braeburn Care was honoured with the Best Nutrition and Dining award at the Business Awards UK – Care Awards, recognising our proactive focus on the dietary wellbeing of our customers.
Nutrition in elderly care isn’t just about calories and consistency. It’s about taste, familiarity, enjoyment, and respect. Many older adults lose interest in meals when cooking becomes a challenge or when they live alone. That’s why our domiciliary care in Kent, East Sussex and surrounding areas places such high importance on making mealtimes a source of pleasure and comfort. Cherry’s act of baking cupcakes wasn’t just kind – it was nourishing in every sense of the word.
Cherry’s Victoria Sponge Cupcakes
A traditional British treat, lovingly made at home.
If you’d like to recreate Cherry’s cupcakes for yourself or with a loved one, here’s her recipe – a customer favourite!
Ingredients (Makes 12 cupcakes)
For the cupcakes:
- 175g unsalted butter, softened
- 175g caster sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 175g self-raising flour
- 1–2 tbsp milk (if needed)
And the filling:
- 4–5 tbsp strawberry jam
For the cream topping:
- 150ml double cream
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 6 fresh strawberries, halved
Method
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 180°C (or 160°C fan). Line a 12-hole cupcake tray with paper cases.
- Make the sponge: Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well. Stir in the vanilla extract, then gently fold in the self-raising flour. Add a splash of milk if needed to loosen the batter.
- Bake: Spoon the mixture evenly into the cases and bake for 18–22 minutes or until golden and springy. Allow to cool completely.
- Fill: Once cool, scoop out a small section from the centre of each cupcake. Fill with a teaspoon of strawberry jam.
- Ice and garnish: Whip the cream with icing sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Pipe or spoon onto the cupcakes and finish with a fresh strawberry half.
The Power of Personalised Award-Winning Care
Cherry’s cupcakes were a delight, but what truly mattered was the feeling they left behind – a sense of being seen, valued, and cared for. This is what personalised home care should look like.
Whether it’s:
- Cooking a customer’s favourite meal
- Preparing light lunches tailored to dietary needs
- Supporting someone to re-engage in a hobby like baking
- Or simply offering a shared moment of kindness…
…our award-winning team is here to do more than meet the basic requirements. We’re here to enhance lives. We tailor every care plan to each customer’s lifestyle, needs, and preferences. From companionship visits to live-in care, respite support to meal preparation, our services are designed to keep people thriving in their own homes for longer – with dignity and joy.
Why Nutrition Matters in Elderly Care
Good nutrition is critical for wellbeing at every age, but especially for older adults. That’s why Braeburn Care integrates nutritional support into our care delivery – ensuring customers remain well-nourished and engaged at mealtimes.
From fresh, home-prepared meals to thoughtful snacks and hydration monitoring, we go the extra mile. Our award for Best Nutrition and Dining reinforces our commitment – and stories like Cherry’s show how our team lives that commitment every day.
Looking for Personalised Elderly Care in Kent or East Sussex?
Whether you’re looking for home care in Tunbridge Wells, live-in care in Tonbridge, or companion care in Sevenoaks or Crowborough, Braeburn Care is here to support your family with warmth, professionalism, and a truly personal approach. We invite you to explore our services and see why more families are choosing Braeburn Care as their trusted home care partner. Because great care doesn’t end with a checklist — it starts with people who care.
📞 Call us: 01892 577680
🌐 Visit: www.braeburncare.co.uk
