ROBERTS Bakery has launched its first home baking kit, available to buy online and delivered straight to doors across the nation.

This follows a massive surge in home baking since the coronavirus lockdown came into force, with flour and yeast flying off supermarket shelves and internet recipe searches at an all-time high.

Roberts’ premium dough mix ensures keen bakers have everything they need to get started on their homemade artisan white loaves, rolls and pizza bases.

Each 1kg kit makes a large white loaf and 12 white bread rolls, a large white loaf and four pizza bases or a large white loaf, six white rolls and two pizza bases.

Roberts has also launched its Bakery Bundles, which provide a specially selected mix of products for every occasion.

The Northwich-based family bakery is the first in the UK to sell directly to shoppers, partnering with national delivery service DPD to offer next day delivery.

“Since the pandemic confined millions of us to our homes, I think we’ve re-connected with home baking out of both need and pleasure during what is such a challenging time,” said managing director Stuart Spencer-Calnan.

“Initially driven by a shortage of wrapped bread, home baking has become a real stress-buster and distraction from what’s going on around us, transforming a few simple ingredients into a beautiful loaf.

“There’s still a shortage of flour and yeast in shops, so we’re hoping that our new Get Baking Kit will mean more people get to enjoy the experience – whether that’s to bake loaves, rolls or pizza bases.

“And for those who don’t fancy giving home bread baking a go - but are vulnerable, self-isolating or simply want avoid shops and still hustling for supermarket delivery slots – our Bakery Bundles will hopefully provide another solution to a pandemic problem.”

Celebrities including Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha, Stephen Fry and ITV presenter Holly Willoughby have all posted pictures of their freshly baked bread online.

The vegan-friendly Get Baking Kits are available online at Roberts’s new online shop for £8.50, while the Bakery Bundles cost £7.50 each.

All of Roberts’ home deliveries are contact-free, appropriately socially distanced and are can be ordered online.

For further information, visit robertsbakerydirect.co.uk.