The Bettys Blog

The keen-eyed among you will have spotted the illustrations of Emily Sutton adorning the packaging of Bettys treats from biscuits to Christmas puddings for a few years now. We just love her charming, hand-drawn style, so when we wanted to create something really magical for this Christmas, we knew just who to ask to bring our Enchanted Forest to life.

With six Café Tea Rooms serving seasonal specialities, a bookable afternoon tea experience in York and Harrogate, and an award-winning Cookery School, there are a stocking-full of ways Bettys can bring enchanted to your Christmas.

Ahead of this Friday's premier of our Christmas film on ITV, take a peek inside The Enchanted Forest.

The first signs of Christmas are twinkling on the horizon. As the days become a little shorter, the nights are starting to sparkle – and somewhere just outside the town, fresh snow is falling on the Enchanted Forest. Look closely at the ground and you may just spy a scattering of tiny footprints. It’s a telltale hint that a snuffling hedgehog, a bushy-tailed squirrel and a friendly fox have just passed by, on the trail of some delicious festive treats. We might have a suggestion or two.

Spectacular and unique, these dainty Genoese sponge fancies are each hand-iced with a Catherine wheel or rocket design. They're one of several shop exclusives, which also include our legendary White Chocolate Ganache Ghosts and our spooky Ghost Biscuits.

If Bettys is your favourite haunt, hop on your broomstick and fly to us quick because we have some frightfully delicious Halloween treats to tempt you.

Our chocolates are presented in luxurious keepsake boxes with decorative patterns by York artist Emily Sutton. The only thing more perfect than what's on the outside, is what's on the inside.

Crafty ghouls have been busy at work turning Bettys windows into worlds of spooky frights. The centrepieces are creepy Halloween castles, inhabited by wizards, witches and cackling skeletons. Believe it or not, they're crafted by the conjurers in our cake decoration room. In their hands a piping bag is a magic wand.

Our love of chutneys and preserves stems from our obsession with ingredients and flavour. We delight in the opportunity to share tastebud-tingling combinations of fruit, spice and vegetable, and we’re proud to be able to champion traditional British produce such as damson, pear and Victoria plum.

Our Marzipan & Sponge Apples are real favourite at this time of year. We think it’s the fact that they’re so strikingly realistic. Surely most would agree that they’re one of your five a day?

Whether you're joining us for Afternoon Tea or picking up provisions for a walk on Ilkley Moor - a visit to Bettys makes your day magical.

In Greek mythology Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was traditionally accompanied by an owl. This is one of several reasons why owls are considered clever sorts. Our Owl Cupcake Brownie pays a chocolatey tribute to this wise old bird.

There are a host of new flavours and seasonal treats to be found at Bettys this autumn. Enjoy tempting specialities in our Café Tea Rooms, or take home your favourite goodies from our shops.

There’s no denying it: autumn is peeking around the corner, heralding a more crisp and colourful world. With senses sharpened, it’s time to relish rich flavours and tantalising aromas, or to indulge yourself with treats only found at this time of year. So dig out your favourite jumper and prepare to dive into our leaf-pile of magical treats.

As part of Ilkley Literature Festival, Bettys Ilkley is proud to be hosting a reading and two course supper with author and cleric David Wilbourne, who'll be discussing his charming new book Shepherd of Another Flock.

Sam Gibson's official title is Ethical Projects Officer, but she often refers to herself as 'The Tree Lady'. That's because she manages our Trees for Life projects, keeping alive a commitment to tree planting that goes back to 1990, when Bettys set out to plant 3 million trees around the world. Here, she explores the impact of one of our most recent projects, Seedlings at Schools, as it draws to a close.

From tea top-ups to the best seat in the house: we asked the real Bettys experts – the people who have been coming to our Café Tea Rooms for years – to share their insider knowledge and tips.

When I taste Yorkshire Wolds Pressed Apple Juice for the first time, I realise that I’ve never actually tasted apple juice before. Not real apple juice. Smooth, sweet, mellow, moreish – this is a far cry from the tart acid green drink that we’re all accustomed to.

Celebrate Yorkshire Day with perfect Yorkshire Puddings. Not sure how? Lisa Bennison has been with Bettys for over 30 years. Who better to guide you?

January can sometimes be thought of as a month in which indulgence and eating pleasure should be put aside. But eating well doesn't need to be a test of endurance - for us, it's a time to acknowledge our love of natural ingredients and proper cooking. It's about wholesomeness rather than abstinence.