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SHANE SMITH

Shane Smith’s love of culinary arts started at a young age, and he was inspired by his two grandmothers and his

mother, who were all avid home bakers. Over the years, Shane has received numerous awards in recognition for his
work, including Best Bakery Manager in Ireland. He is a regular contributor to the Irish Times, the Irish Independent,

Easy Food Magazine, and other national publications.

What were some Easter baking traditions of
your childhood?
Shane Smith: With my mum, we always
made fruitcakes. You have your simnel cake,
the traditional fruitcake with marzipan,
and then, of course, tea bracks [fruit cakes
infused with tea]. We were soaking the fruit
the night before, either in tea or whiskey,
and then baking the fruitcake the next day.
And then there was hot cross buns. My mum
never made hot cross buns; she always bought
them. By the time I was 14, I was into baking,
so I started to bake hot cross buns. My dad

lives on hot cross buns. For him, hot cross
buns can be enjoyed in December—any time
of the year is hot cross bun time for my dad.

What can you expect to find in Irish bakeries

during the spring?
SS: You can expect simnel cakes, spiced
tea bracks, and, of course, hot cross buns.
But in the newer, modern bakeries, you can
find everything chocolate. Whether it’s a

decadent chocolate fudge cake or an ornate,
stunning chocolate Easter egg, you’ll see
some of the most amazing chocolate work.
I’ve also seen the classic Battenberg cake
making a spring comeback, with some Easter
twists—such as carrot cake crossed with
chocolate.

What do you think of when you think of
Ireland during Easter?
SS: It’s never overly warm over here during
spring, so it’s all about comfort food. I liken
Easter in Ireland to Thanksgiving in the
United States. Easter is always a family get-

together, and the food is always celebrating
tradition and comfort. So, there’s chocolate,
apple crumbles, and carrot cake bakes—
anything that would remind you of what
desserts you would crave as a child. When I
think of Easter, I think of reminiscing.

CLOCKWISE: BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND; SHANE’S HOME IN DUBLIN; SHANE’S CHOCOLATE TART
105 bake from scratch