A salted caramel & almond brownie has been crowned Britain’s Best Cake 2024.
The brownie, made by East Anglian chain Two Magpies Bakery, stood out among more than 130 products across seven categories – Brownies, Classic Cake, Free-from Cake, Fruit Cake, Individual Cake, Occasion Cake, and Traybake.
“We’re delighted but also really shocked that we won,” Michelle Wade, NPD manager at Two Magpies, told British Baker. “With so many entries into the competition, to be picked as the overall winner, we couldn’t quite believe it.”
Coming out on top in the brownie category, the winning product is described as a dark single origin Madagascan chocolate brownie with buttered almonds and salted caramel. Judges praised it for its exceptional flavours and varied textures, with one saying: “The roasted nuts really cut through the richness. Having that crunchy nut on the top really balanced it out”.
The brownie claimed the inaugural title of Britain’s Best Cake, which took place at the UK Food & Drink Shows on Monday 29 April. The competition was sponsored by Dawn Foods, Kluman & Balter, Sonneveld, and Walker Humphrey.
The judging panel consisted of: Amy North, editor at British Baker; Charlotte Thompson, senior lecturer at University College Birmingham; Chris Atkinson, buying manager ISB at Asda; Chris Parrington, NPD & technical manager at Kluman & Balter; Daryl Stephenson, assessor at Coleg Cambria; Garry Russell, sales director UK & Ireland at Dawn Foods; Graham Hornigold, founder of Longboys; Johanna Moloney, owner of Caketastic Creations; Lee Pugh, head of bakery at Zero2Five Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University; Lee Smith, owner of Poppyseed Bakery; Martin Wolstenholme, product developer at Booths; Michelle Phillips, founder of Mimi’s Bakehouse; Patrick Wilkins, national president of the Craft Bakers Association; and Richard Herbert, cake technical manager at Sonneveld.
British Baker editor Amy North applauded the winning cake makers. “We were amazed at the response to our inaugural Britain’s Best Cake competition, not only by the number of entries but also at the exceptionally high standard witnessed across the categories,” she said. “The judges’ work was really cut out for them in trying to decide the winners, with incredible technical ability, innovation, and passion of the bakers so clearly demonstrated in the products.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to the judges and sponsors who made this first edition such a success. It was a fantastic experience to come together and celebrate the very best cakes that Britain has to offer.”
Here is the full list of the winning and highly commended cakes (photos and more info to follow):
Brownie
Winner: Salted Caramel and Almond Brownie, Two Magpies Bakery
This indulgent brownie is made from dark single origin Madagascan chocolate with buttered almonds and salted caramel on top. “Indulgent”, “rich”, and “moist” were some of the words used by the judges to describe this sweet treat, which also took the title of Britain’s Best Cake 2024. The brownie delivered on “everything you’d want in a brownie and more”.
Highly Commended: Lemon Meringue Blondie, Seasons Bakery
Classic Cake
Winner: Carrot & Pecan Cake, Stir Bakery
This moist six-inch made is made with fresh carrots, pecan pieces, and candied carrot slices. It is topped and filled with full fat cream cheese and flavoured with cinnamon and fresh lemon zest for a rounded and well-balanced flavour. “This cake delivered on all levels,” said the category judges. “It was interesting to look at, particularly with the addition of the candied carrot slices around the outside, and also delivered on the taste with the pecans adding a delightful crunch to the experience.”
Highly Recommended: Sticky Stem Ginger Cake, Ginger Bakers
Free-from Cake
Winner: Gluten Free Black Forest Brownie, Sweet Treats by Martin Frickel
Described as a gooey and fudgy slice of brownie packed full of morello cherry jam, sour cherries, glace cherries, this gluten-free treat was a hit with the judges. “You wouldn’t know it was gluten free,” they exclaimed. The panel also praised the way the rich chocolate brownie was balanced with the tangy cherry for a truly indulgent eating experience.
Highly Recommended: Allpress Tiramisu Cake, Two Magpies Bakery
Fruit Cake
Winner: Dark Chocolate, Orange & Ginger Bara Brith, Wylde Bakery
Serving up a twist on the traditional Welsh tea bread, this spiced loaf cake is packed with fruit soaked overnight in Welsh tea. Ground ginger and stem ginger are added for warmth, chocolate for indulgence and orange for some zing. The loaf cake is decorated with orange slices and a drizzle of dark chocolate and is recommended to be served with butter. The judges were “blown away” by the taste which “beautifully balanced the chocolate, orange, dried fruit and ginger to create a stunning loaf”.
Highly Recommended: Luxury Rum Fruit Carrot Cake, Connie’s Carrot Cakes
Individual Cake
Winner: Flower Pot, Anda’s Kitchen
This cake is described by its creator as a “delightful blossom mini cake that can brighten up everyone’s day”. It features an edible plant pot filled with a rich chocolate cake, layered with a sour cherry coulis and mascarpone cream, and a biscuit crumb sprinkle to create the ‘soil’. The judges complemented the “attention to detail” of all aspects, and loved the “combination of rich chocolate and sour cherry flavours”.
Highly Recommended: Sour Cherry & Amaretto Cake, Compleat Food Group
Occasion Cake
Winner: Garden Party Cake, Little Barn Cakes
An apricot-coloured icing and beautiful sugar flowers adorn the top of this six-inch cherry & almond cake. Each of the flowers are handcrafted for a sophisticated finish – with a level of attention to detail that didn’t go unnoticed by the judges. “The artistry speaks for itself,” they noted, also praising the Bakewell-like combination of flavours which “worked perfectly”.
Highly Recommended: Bespoke Three Tiered Wedding Cake, The Cake Pavilion
Traybake
Winner: Orange, Cardamom & Bay Cake, Ginger Bakers
A delicately infused sponge with bay & cardamom makes up the base of this cake before it is filled with a handmade orange curd and decorated with an orange mascarpone buttercream, topped with glace oranges and edible cornflowers. “The balance of flavours was incredible,” explained the judges, adding that the “warmth of the cardamom worked really well with the freshness of the orange”. Its appearance was also praised: “It’s definitely an inviting looking cake.”
Highly Commended: Yoghurt Topped Apple & Blackcurrant Flapjack, Peck & Strong
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