With the 12th series of Great British Bake Off returning to our screens this week, the love of baking across the United Kingdom is quite apparent.

However, not everyone has the right tools for the job, and use a number of unconventional methods.

Research conducted by the producer Upfield, who make plant-based margarines, creams and spreads, found that around a fifth of Brits (22 per cent) don’t own the equipment needed to make their bakes.

Also, 39 per cent of us have plant-based margarines always stocked in the fridge, which is useful for baking.

Their study of 2,000 people also revealed that over a quarter of those in the Gen Z and millennial age bracket (27 per cent) like to bake at least every few months, while 37 per cent of over-55s said they didn’t like to bake at all.

Relationship status was also a factor in the amount of baking equipment that was owned. 

Divorcees led the charge as nearly half (48 per cent) were found to own all the equipment. 

Only 23 per cent of those in a relationship were found to own the needed baking bits, dropping to 10 per cent for singletons. 

Regardless of age or relationship status, there were some interesting methods used to get around a lack of proper utensils.

What are the top 5 innovative household swaps for baking utensils?

1. A glass or pair of scissors instead of a cookie cutter (31%)  

2. An oven dish instead of a cake tin (26%) 

3. A toaster or oven rack instead of a cooling rack (24%) 

4. A wine bottle instead of a rolling pin (23%) 

5. A colander instead of a sieve (19%)