By the early 20th century, Peek Freans was churning out some 400 million Pat-A-Cake biscuits a year, alongside some other 250 biscuit varieties. Despite its sweeping global success, the company appears to have had a healthy, community-minded relationship with its employees. The five Associated Biscuits factories in Britain were operating at half to two thirds capacity, and the business became loss-making. The Huyton factory was closed with the loss of 770 jobs in 1984, and production was relocated to Aintree, Liverpool. In all that time, Turner claims he didn't touch a single biscuit, although admits that since retiring he's fallen off the wagon. Turner is billed the museum's 'living exhibit', brimming with trivia and stories from his time here. Between him and Magold, the Peek Freans Biscuit Museum is a wonderfully personal, personable archive that every Londoner and every biscuit fan should visit. All-Purpose Flour:You can use whole wheat flour, gluten-free flour blend, or almond flour as alternatives to all-purpose flour. However, keep in mind that the texture and flavor will differ slightly. Self-rising flour is also a good substitute; adjust the sodium bicarbonate accordingly. Associated Biscuits employed 9,856 people in 1972. The company dedicated the vast majority of its advertising spend to the Jacob’s brand from 1972. One third of sales came from overseas, with factories in Australia, Canada and India.

Add Wet Ingredients:Next, add the egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Continue to beat until well incorporated. In 1880, Peek Freans' became the first factory in London to be supplied by electricity. Even Henry Mayhew — the philanthropist notorious for recording dismal Victorian working conditions — lauded the factory's atmosphere as "gauzy as a summer morning mist".Lightly whisk together the egg white, sugar and lemon juice. You don't want it to turn foamy. Using a pastry brush, brush some of this on top of each piece of pastry, then sprinkle each with some of the demerara sugar.

Green tip: A simple recipe like this is where the lovely flavour of stone ground flour really shines. Look in your natural food stores for flour milled from wheat that is grown in your region. Lemon BiscuitsBiscuits have a similar sentimental effect. "We'll get people saying 'Do you remember Nib Nobs?'" says Magold (It turns out at one time they were the leading biscuit type in Pakistan — Peek Freans also had offshoot factories in India, Canada and Australia.) In 1987, Peek Freans was taken over by American RJR Nabisco. They, in turn were bought out by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, who started selling off bits of the company. The (wagon)wheels of demise were set in motion, and — like those biscuits in white, crunchy paper, the company was broken up. These Lemon Cream Puffs are exactly as light, flaky and airy as seen on the above photo. And the creamy filling is just to die for ! Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Line several baking sheets with baking paper. Set aside. Factories were opened in Canada, the United States and Australia in 1949. The Reading factory employed 3,000 people in 1954.