Definition of the word soft centre

The phrase "soft center" or "soft centre," as it is commonly spelled in English and in other English-speaking countries, refers to the innermost, softer part of a food item that is usually covered by a harder, crunchier exterior. This describes the texture of many sweets, such as chocolates with a creamy filling or doughnuts with a jelly or cream center. The term "soft center" is believed to have originated in the United States during the 20th century. It first appeared in print in the 1930s in the context of describing ice cream bars, such as Drumsticks or Elconas, which had a hard coating with a softer center made of ice cream or sherbet. While the exact origin of the term is unclear, it is thought to have been coined as a way to differentiate these treats from traditional hard candies, which have a uniformly hard texture throughout. In British English, the term "soft centre" is more commonly used to describe treats like truffles or chocolates filled with cream or nougat, whereas in American English, the term "cream-filled" is more popular for this type of candy. Nonetheless, both phrases are now widely recognized throughout the English-speaking world as a way to describe sweets with a delightfully luscious center.