How to make pink slices at home during isolation and join in the Mackem Bake Off

It’s the ultimate Mackem sweet treat – and now you can make it at home during lockdown.
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Sunderland author and artist Paul Swinney, who penned the popular Mackem Dictionary, has put out a recipe for pink slices on his Twitter, @lightaperture, and asked people to send in their homemade creations using the hashtag #MackemBakeOff.

The recipe is easy to follow and includes ingredients you can get on your weekly shop: butter, caster sugar, eggs, flour, raspberry jam, icing sugar, vanilla extract and, of course, pink food colouring.

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Speaking about why he decided to do a recipe for the snack, he said: “The pink slice is a sweet treat synonymous with Sunderland, and no doubt many Mackems are pining for one while doing the sensible thing and staying indoors.

“The good news though is that they're easy to make, and great fun for the kids to join in too.”

On tips for making them, he said: “The key for me is the addition of a bit of vanilla essence.

“There's a bit of debate on what's best to put in the middle - raspberry or strawberry jam.

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“Either are great - just go for personal preference, or what you can get your hands on given the current situation.”

Pink slices are a favourite on Wearside and are usually on sale at places including Fausto - now you can make your own.Pink slices are a favourite on Wearside and are usually on sale at places including Fausto - now you can make your own.
Pink slices are a favourite on Wearside and are usually on sale at places including Fausto - now you can make your own.

He added: “I saw on Twitter that someone had used plum jam. That's just sacrilegious. I draw the line there.”

We would love to see your efforts on social media using the hashtags #pinkslice and #MackemBakeOff and add in @SunderlandEcho when you share on Twitter, or send on Facebook, so we can share your amazing work.

See some of your best entries so far here.