Viking Resurrection - Derbyshire Thor Cake Back by Popular Demand
Published On Tuesday 22 Oct 2019 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
A family run bakery has brought back a famous Viking-inspired Derbyshire cake in the build up to Bonfire Night and is hoping to reach its 10,000th sale.
Stacey’s Bakery, which first reintroduced traditional Thor Cake back in 2016, has seen such success with it over the last three years that it is once again bringing the seasonal treat back into circulation for 2019.
Thor Cake, which is named after the hammer-wielding God of Thunder in Norse mythology, is a spicy autumn cake with a chewy texture and a gingery kick, made from oatmeal, butter and treacle, with coriander and Demerara sugar.
Traditionally eaten on Bonfire Night, its flavours are broadly similar to those of Yorkshire Parkin, but as a flatter biscuit-style of treat, it is tied to the East Midlands by virtue of the fact that local communities would traditionally come together, bringing an ingredient each and baking the cake as a joint effort.
Despite Derby’s cultural heritage as one of the five Boroughs of Danelaw, under direct Viking rule from the 9th to the 11th centuries, the cake had become virtually obsolete in the region until Stacey’s Bakery resurrected it. But David Stacey, MD and Great Grandson of the bakery’s founder, believes there’s every reason to bring Thor Cake back as a mainstream seasonal staple in the East Midlands once again.
He said: “We’ve really begun to look forward to this every year now. The Thor Cake is great fun, it’s a traditional part of our baking culture here in the East Midlands and it’s a cake that has always been the focal point for bringing our communities together at this time of year.
“More to the point, our customers really love it. It’s only ever available for six weeks each autumn but we’ve sold 7,500 Thor Cakes over the last three years and I have no doubt that, as Bonfire Night draws nearer, we’ll push well beyond the 10,000 mark.”
Founded in the early 1900s, Stacey's has continued to grow over the years, with shops on South Street and Bath Street in Ilkeston, plus additional outlets in Eastwood and Heanor. However, as a firm local favourite, it continues to bake and decorate everything by hand to recipes that have been in the family for generations.
As one of its most famous ‘special edition’ products, Stacey’s Thor Cakes are on the shelves now at £1.20 for a pack of four and will be available to buy until the end of November.
For more information, visit www.staceys-bakery.co.uk
The Cupola Kitchen and Rooms in Stoney Middleton launches 'The Cupawla' - a menu just for dogs A stylish new cafe and visitor centre in one of the Peak District's most scenic walking destinations has gone to the dogs - in the best Read The Article | |
BEAR named finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards Midlands, UK - BEAR has been named a finalist in the 2025 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards, shortlisted in the Equity-Backed Entrepreneur Read The Article | |
Celebrate The Summer Season At Award-Winning Fischer's Baslow Hall What better way to enjoy summer than an experience at Fischers Baslow Hall. Whether you're venturing for a long-earned getaway or simply calling for Read The Article | |
The Ashford Arms Shortlisted For Best Country Pub In The Great British Pub Awards 2025 The Ashford Arms, a beautifully restored country pub with rooms in Ashford-in-the-Water, has been shortlisted in the Best Country Pub category at the Read The Article | |
The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow Wins Gold at the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025 The Cavendish Hotel at Baslow has been awarded Gold in the Taste of England category in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2025 Read The Article | |
Top Nottingham chef celebrates one year with star collaborations The highly successful first year in business of a popular restaurant in Nottingham’s Bridlesmith Gate is being celebrated with a unique series of guest chef collaborations. Read The Article | |
Casa Hotel Celebrates 15 Years of Hospitality Excellence in Chesterfield and Welcomes 370000th Guest Casa Hotel is celebrating 15 years of success and has welcomed its 370,000th visitor this month, having firmly established itself Read The Article | |
Experience Golfing Bliss at Peak Edge Hotel with the Stay and Golf for Two Package For golf lovers seeking a perfect escape, Peak Edge Hotel is delighted to offer a Stay and Golf for Two package, providing a seamless blend of relaxation Read The Article | |
Derby's Cathedral Quarter Hotel reveals fresh new look and now proudly serves Starbucks The Cathedral Quarter Hotel, a Grade II listed landmark in Derby's city centre, has unveiled a refreshed new look following a Read The Article | |
Get Ready For National Bakewell Tart Day On 25th June 2025 The Bakewell Tart Shop, the first business to create and sell Bakewell Tarts more than 100 years ago, has announced that National Bakewell Tart Day will take place on Wednesday Read The Article | |