The 2012 National Cupcake Championships has seen a record number of entries, with organiser British Baker receiving twice as many as last year.

In total 204 entries were logged, across seven categories, compared with 102 in 2011.

The preliminary judging process will begin very soon, with the shortlisted finalists to be announced in early June.

The finals will then take place on 2 July at the Institute for Contemporary Art in London, where a top panel of cake makers and bakers will be putting the cupcakes through their paces.

Confirmed judges so far, include: Royal Wedding cake-maker Fiona Cairns, Great British Bake Off winner Edd Kimber, Konditor & Cook founder Gerhard Jenne, and Ms Cupcake, winner of the 2011 Rising Star Award at the Baking Industry Awards.

Georgi Gyton, associate editor, British Baker: “We are absolutely delighted with the number of entries. We had also tightened the entry criteria this year, limiting bakers to a maximum of three separate entries, so to see such an increase in entry numbers is fantastic.

“It just goes to show that the cupcake is becoming a staple offering, which consumers cannot get enough of. Whoever said cupcakes were dead, was very wrong.”

British Baker would like to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to enter - good luck!

The National Cupcake Championships form part of the build up to British Baker’s annual National Cupcake Week, which will run from 17-23 September 2012.