THERE'S a cheesecake for every occasion, according to a Hampshire baker who has turned her lockdown hobby into a successful business. 

Belinda Docherty runs Bee's Homemade Cheesecakes from her home in West End.

The mum of two, who works for the family business doing admin and accounts, found herself spending a fortune on lockdown treats for husband Hugh, a huge cheesecake fan.

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She decided she could do better and set to work learning the ropes of cheesecake making. Her delicious creations were so sought after by family and friends that she went into business. 

Belinda told the Daily Echo: "I'd never done anything like this before, but my husband absolutely loves cheesecakes and we found ourselves spending £40 or £50 on the occasional cheesecake delivery during the pandemic.

"One day I looked at one of them and thought I could make that. So I did. Friends tried my cheesecakes and liked them, they told other people and it went from there. It's really taken off.

"Every single cheesecake is completely bespoke. Hugh is the chief taster and I don't think I could have done it without him. I'm not a huge fan and our six-year-old Ethan hates cheesecake! But he does like the cheesecake truffles I've created, which are little balls of chocolate!"

Daily Echo:

Angel Delight flavour is currently proving a hit, as well as the likes of apple crumble and pina colada.

Belinda has produced everything from Jaffa Cake to Christmas pudding-flavoured cheesecakes in the past, but lemon is the eternal favourite. 

Fruity flavours like white chocolate and raspberry are popular in the summer months while it's all about chocolate, such as Biscoff or Oreo, in the winter.

Daily Echo:

Belinda uses a basic Jane's Patisserie no-bake cheesecake recipe with a vanilla base then adds the flavour. Her creations are free of additives and as natural as possible with fresh fruit always used.

She supplies the Crafty Bug Cafe in Woolston and creates treats for special events on the calendar, like half a chocolate egg filled with cheesecake for Easter.

A five-tiered wedding cheesecake is among orders for this year and there are plans to expand, introducing nationwide delivery.

Daily Echo:

  • Bee's Homemade Cheesecakes is our trader of the week. If you'd like us to feature your small business, click on the link below, visit dailyecho.co.uk/trader or email lorelei.reddin@dailyecho.co.uk