Love Brownies

What with the weather and my unusually fragile state of health since Christmas (though I'm much better this week), I haven't been getting out as much as usual, and there have been more 'drives' and coffee stops than walks. A drive, however, is most pleasant on a sunny, crisp winter day up in Wharfedale. We turned off the main road to visit a coffee shop that my friend knew of. It's well tucked away in a hamlet called Howgill, between Barden and Appletreewick and was a delightful surprise. It has scenic views, lovely on such a beautiful day. 

'Love Brownies' is fundamentally a small bakery, making award-winning chocolate Brownies (you guessed!) here at Howgill, which they send out mail order and supply to shops. I understood that the company had recently gone into liquidation, as a result of rising costs and the downturn caused by the Covid pandemic. I suspect too that they had been expanding at a faster pace than was sustainable, opening this new larger bakery in 2019 and a number of cafés/shops in high end locations. I'm not sure whether they have been restructured or not, but they seem still to be continuing with their bakery at Howgill and a few outlets. Some of the shops are, I think, franchises. 

The brand has a modern vibe and sells associated merchandise, as well as the eponymous Brownies. The cakes are gluten-free so I can eat them - and they are delicious - but this time I was self-disciplined and just had tea, served in a cheerful yellow tea pot with a stylish cup and saucer. 

It was a cold day and the barn is 'airy', let's say, so we were happy to bag the table right next to the wood-burner. Cosy. They thoughtfully provide rugs and cushions for comfort too. They have tables outside and a large-ish group of hardy walkers were enjoying a break there. Hopefully the company can continue, even in a slimmed-down form, as they seem to have 'hit a spot' and to be providing something quite desirable. Let's hope their poster speaks the truth: 'Be Reyt' - a good Yorkshire phrase.  ('It'll be alright.')