Glastonbury Bakery Ends 43-Year Run of Beloved Iced Buns

Burns the Bread, a well-known bakery in Somerset, has announced the end of an era by discontinuing its classic iced buns after 43 years. The beloved sweet treat, cherished by generations, has seen a sharp decline in demand, leading the family-run bakery to retire the product quietly during National Doughnut Week.

The bakery’s manager, Casey Stoddart, revealed that the drop in sales was significant. “Ten years ago, we sold around 400 iced buns daily across our six stores. Now, sales have dwindled to just 50 a day,” she explained. Stoddart attributed the shift to evolving customer tastes, stating, “People’s preferences are more sophisticated now, and we have to focus on what most customers want.”

The news has touched a nerve among fans who consider iced buns a nostalgic staple of British baking. Many expressed sadness and shared their fond memories online. One customer lamented, “That’s a shame, I love them,” while another noted, “They’ve been my eight-year-old’s favourite for years.”

Conversely, not everyone was a fan; some made lighthearted comments such as, “It’s just a hot dog bun with icing on top.” Despite mixed opinions, the removal of iced buns echoes a wider trend. In 2017, popular chain Greggs also removed the treat, prompting a small but passionate petition advocating for its return.

Iced buns have long been ingrained in British food culture, dating back to the mid-19th century and gaining prominence in post-war Britain in the 1950s. Celebrated bakers like Paul Hollywood have fondly recalled their childhood enjoyment of iced buns, highlighting their lasting place in baking heritage.

Burns the Bread, a multi-award-winning, family-run bakery, serves communities across Glastonbury, Street, Wells, Somerton, and Castle Cary. Though the iced bun era has ended, the bakery continues to innovate with products that reflect today’s tastes.