Eden & Abi carry on ‘Missed Mother’s’ memories with their recipe book for Breast Cancer Care

Happy Friday everyone! Please take 5-10 minutes out of your day to have a read of this.

Written by Eden Humphreys.

In February 2016, with only a month before Mother’s Day here in the UK, we noticed countless adverts, posters and shop fronts that were reminding everyone of the day where we celebrate the woman who gave us life. As fantastic as it is to dote over our own mums for the day, what about those who don't have mothers to celebrate with? We wanted to create something that would make Mother’s Day slightly easier for those who are in this position, by making the day a celebration rather than a day to dwell. After many discussions and anecdotes we noticed there was a reoccurring theme; baking. 

Some of the fondest memories we have not only revolve around mums and family time, but also the delicious sweet treats we’d all wait impatiently for. We decided to create a recipe book filled with dessert recipes from mums who have passed away to keep their memory alive through baking. All these recipes, unchanged and passed down through the years are ways of connecting the past with future generations and sharing memories, and so Missed Mothers was born. Mother’s Day sparked the idea, however our project continued to snowball and our ambitions grew to be bigger than just one day a year.

Something that was so important to us was making sure our efforts went to a good cause. Abi’s mum, Sandra Williams, went through breast cancer in 2015 and Breast Cancer Care were a huge support for her and her family. So together we decided that all profits from this cookbook will be given to Breast Cancer Care; a support charity dedicated to helping women and families, including our own, when they need it most. A year later, Abi’s mum has been given the all clear, and as a family they are closer than ever before.      

And so we set out to create our first book. Slightly naive perhaps, but optimism and determination were at the forefront. On the recipe pages we’ve included the beloved recipe, method, an illustration of the dessert, a tribute from the mother’s children and a photograph of the mother, so the whole world can put a face to the cake!

After hundreds of emails were sent to friends, family and strangers, we began to receive recipes from children excited to share their mother’s recipes with the world. Some were written on a scrap of paper, other adapted from books and some completely from memory, but all were once made with love by mums all over the world. We also went on BBC Lincolnshire radio to gain more recipes. We received recipes from high profile pastry chefs such as Benoit Blin and Claire Clark who featured in BBC’s Bake Off Creme De La Creme. Also, the hugely talented William Curley. William is a British patissier chocolatier who’s chocolates are sold in Harrods. He first found his passion whilst baking with his mother when he was young, and we’re lucky enough to have one of his mother’s recipes in Missed Mothers.

  

After curating the 47 recipes, and of course tasting a few along the way, we began editing and illustrating the book. We wanted each recipe page to reflect the mother by including how the mother would serve the biscuits for example, and what kind of bowl the trifle would be dished up in. After ordering two proof copies and meticulously scanning the pages for spelling mistakes, along with the website being up and running, we were ready to self-publish. 

We are delighted to be able to bring the cherished memories of mothers everywhere, from Illinois to the Philippines, into your kitchen. Our goal is to encourage more people to create special memories with their families, along with raising awareness for breast cancer and money for Breast Cancer Care.

Share your memories and desserts using #MissedMothers. If you have any recipes from a missed mother that you would like to be in the second edition, please get in touch at abiandedencreatives@gmail.com, thank you!

There’s the story so far, we’re now officially open for business! You can get your copy of Missed Mothers at MissedMothers.co.uk for £9.99 + P&P with all profits going to Breast Cancer Care.