Ever watched The Great British Baking Show? British cuisine is known for filling, comforting dishes influenced by years of tradition. From shepherd's pies to roast dinners, it is rich in both history and flavour, and so are the desserts.
Unlike lamingtons and the Woolies mud cake, English treats are more low-key, simple, and classic. Clotted cream and golden syrup are staples in any U.K. cupboard, crucial for classic desserts like treacle tarts and roly-poly pudding.
Whether you're originally from Britain and want to whip up a nostalgic sweet food or an Aussie-born wanting to try something new, there are many ingredients to keep in your cabinet!
Essential Ingredients!
Clotted Cream
Sitting somewhere perfectly between butter and whipped cream, clotted cream is thick, rich, silky and just a little bit stretchy.
It’s traditionally spooned onto a warm scone with a swipe of jam (the ultimate cream tea experience), but it’s just as heavenly served with sticky British desserts like a classic treacle tart. Pair it with fresh summer berries and even sneaks a spoonful into her Cornish pasties for a touch of luxury.
In Australia, clotted cream can be a bit of a treasure hunt: not impossible, but certainly not something you’ll find in every supermarket. Specialty food stores and British grocers tend to be your best bet.
Digestives
Digestives are one of Britain’s proudest creations; officially called biscuits in the UK. They’re brilliant with cheese, absolutely delicious on their own, and come in both milk and dark chocolate versions (which make next-level s’mores).
But Digestives aren’t just for snacking. In the UK, they’re used to make a classic biscuit base, our version of a graham-cracker crust. They crumble beautifully, taste buttery even before you add butter, and pop up in all sorts of iconic no-bake desserts like cheesecakes and the utterly outrageous, completely irresistible banoffee pie (imagine caramel, bananas, whipped coffee cream, and a buttery Digestive crust holding it all together… yes, it’s as good as it sounds).
Thankfully, Digestives are much easier to find these days, even outside the UK. If you’ve never baked with them before, swap them in for graham crackers the next time you make a cookie crust.
Fox's Classic Assorted Carton had a delightful mix of biscuits, with Digestives included!
Muscovado Sugar
In the U.K., bakers use muscovado sugar, a beloved staple that brings a deep, almost smoky molasses flavour to cakes, biscuits, and all things sweet. Think of it as brown sugar’s moodier, more flavour-packed cousin: darker, damper, sandier, and full of natural molasses.
Unlike brown sugar, which has its molasses removed and then added back in smaller amounts, muscovado is unrefined, so it keeps all of its natural richness. The result is a bold, earthy sweetness that transforms whatever it touches.
Dark, bittersweet, and damp, it can be overpowering if not used judiciously, but it is essential for Christmas classics like mincemeat pies and sticky toffee pudding. It’s also brilliant stirred into a dark, brooding style of marmalade, giving your morning toast or afternoon tea a warm, wintery twist.
You can swap in dark brown sugar if you’re in a pinch, but you’ll miss that signature intensity muscovado brings to British baking.
Gelatin sheets
In the UK, gelatine is a bit of a kitchen celebrity, especially if you love to create wobbly desserts, jelly sweets, or those nostalgic British trifles. Instead of the powdered stuff you often see in the US, our version usually comes in gelatine sheets (also called leaf gelatine), which look a bit like clear, shiny sweet wrappers.
Powdered gelatin works too. It’s made the same way (from animal collagen), but it comes in little packets you sprinkle over cold water to “bloom” before melting it into something delicious. Some people say the powdered version has a tiny whiff to it, but don’t worry; it disappears once it’s mixed into your dessert.
Gelatine sheets, on the other hand, are completely odourless and so easy to use, which is why so many British bakers prefer them. The only downside? They can be trickier to find outside the UK and sometimes cost a bit more.
If you’re new to gelatine and the thought of making your own wibbly-wobbly sweets feels a bit scary, don’t stress; there are plenty of simple guides out there to help you master both sheets and powder. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll be whipping up jelly, gummies, mousses, and classic British puds like a pro.
Read: The Ultimate Guide to British Christmas Treats.
One-Stop British Shop: A Range of Groceries
Here are some yummy spreads and sauces you can add to your British dish!
Pickles and Spreads
Hartleys Blackcurrent Jam adds a burst of berry brilliance to toast, scones, or even a cheeky spoonful straight from the jar. A great way to brighten your breakfast or snack time.
Robertson's Mincemeat Classic brings the taste of festive tradition to your kitchen! Blended with dry fruits, brandy, and spices, fill mince pies, tarts, and seasonal treats.
Brandston Original Pickle 280g is a tangy spread for your sandwiches, or Galaxy Chocolate Spread for baking biscuits.
Sauces
Bring comfort and nostalgia to every bite. Our product selection includes classic condiments and snacks to popular British meals and drinks.
· Lyles Squeezy Golden Syrup is a delicious topper for pancakes, ice cream, or anything you like.
· Goldenfry Chicken Gravy Granules brings classic British gravy to your bangers and mash.
· Goldenfry Yorkshire Pudding & Pancake Mix makes 12 puddings in 20 minutes. An easy meal for a busy night.
· Paxo Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix is an amazing choice for your Christmas dinner roast chicken.
Get Cooking! Order at One-Stop British Shop
If you’re recreating Mum’s banoffee pie, whipping up a jelly trifle for the kids, or trying a classic pud for the very first time, these ingredients open the door to so many delicious possibilities.
One-Stop British Shop is proud to bring authentic British groceries right to your doorstep, anywhere in Australia. Stock up your pantry, get out the frying pan, and treat yourself to the taste of Britain. Here’s what makes us a little bit special:
- We stock over 150 chocolates, groceries, and drinks, all sourced directly from the U.K. — so you can enjoy the genuine flavours you grew up with.
- Our shelves are filled with nostalgic classics like Lemon Sherbets, Wine Gums, and Black Jacks for a true taste of home.
- Love a good lolly stash? We offer bulk favourites including Fizzy Cola Bottles, Strawberry Bon Bons, and more.
- And with fast, reliable delivery Australia-wide (from Melbourne and Sydney to Brisbane, Perth, and beyond), your British favourites arrive quickly and safely.
Shop our range today and bring a little bit of home into your pantry. Feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions.
During the Summer months (November - April), it is highly recommended to send all orders containing Chocolate products via Express Post. This will ensure reduced transit times to your location and, most importantly, reduce any risks of melting products.
Although we try to enforce this via system changes, it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure Express Post is selected at checkout. We DO NOT take any liability during these months for orders that are sent via Standard Shipping.