A decadent chocolate layer cake has been named Britain’s Best Cake 2025.
The cake, created by Abba Cakes based in the Wirral, got the judges nod ahead of more than 100 other entries in seven categories: Brownie & Blondie, Classic Cake, Fruit Cake, Gluten-Free Cake, Mini Cakes, Traybake and Vegan Cake.
“I didn’t expect it,” enthused Abba Cakes founder and owner Laura Alejandra of her victory. “I just came for the Classic Cake category, so it was a big surprise but I love it.”
The winning product comprises layers of dark chocolate sponge and double chocolate ganache plus some dulce de leche running through the centre, which its Colombian-born creator Alejandra said gave it “a little bit of Latin”.
Judges considered it one of the best presented products in the line-up and were enamoured by the “beautiful piping skills”, done in a vintage-style (like a Lambeth cake) which has come back on trend recently. “It’s described as a very dense chocolate, so does exactly what it says on the tin,” said one judge.
Britain’s Best Cake 2025 took place at the NEC Birmingham on Monday 7 April, and was sponsored by Dawn Foods, Kluman & Balter, Rainbow Dust, Sonneveld Group, and St. Ewe Free Range Eggs.
The competition returned for the second straight year as part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, following the inaugural edition in 2024 won by Two Magpies Bakery’s salted caramel & almond brownie.
The judging panel consisted of: Amy North, editor at British Baker; Chris Parrington, technical and development manager, Kluman & Balter; Daryl Stephenson, assessor, Coleg Cambria; Johanna Moloney, owner, Caketastic Creations; Jonathan Adams, UK R&D director at Baker & Baker; Laura Jones, lecturer in bakery & patisserie technology, University College Birmingham; Lee Smith, owner, Poppyseed Bakery; Michelle Phillips, founder, Mimi’s Bakehouse; Naomi Spaven, lead baker and patisserie chef, Iâl Bakery; Rebecca Tonks, founder and CEO, St. Ewe Free Range Eggs; Richard Herbert, cake technical manager, Sonneveld; and Robin Loud, application chef, Dawn Foods.
British Baker editor Amy North praised the winning cakes. “It is such a pleasure to eat our way through so many amazing cake entries, so a massive thank you to everyone who took the time to enter,” she said. “Our judges definitely had their work cut out for them as the standard was once again so high. The technical ability, innovation, craftsmanship, and passion on show was absolutely phenomenal and really came through in the products.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to the judges and sponsors who made the second edition of the competition such a success. It was a fantastic experience to come together and celebrate the very best cakes that Britain has to offer.”
Find the full list of category winners below:
Blondies & Brownies
Winner: Kunafa Pistachio Brownie, Crustiq
This traditional chocolate brownie comes with an added twist of pistachio kunafa, thus aligning itself with the viral Dubai chocolate trend. It was created by Sandor Bagameri, formerly of Stir Bakery in Cambridge, who was a Baker of the Year finalist last year and triumphed in the Speciality Bread Product of the Year category. Judges loved the visuals of the brownie, especially the contrast of green pistachios against the dark chocolate, which also “really delivered” in the taste department too. “There’s lots of layers of texture,” commented one judge who appreciated the bite and crunch, adding that it had “nice complements of flavours”.
Classic Cake
Winner: The Chocolate Cake, Abba Cakes
This cake impressed with its rich and moist layers of dark chocolate sponge and “lovely” chocolate ganache. “The dulce de leche makes it even richer”, commented a judge. Abba Cakes founder Alejandra has worked as a patisserie chef in three different countries over the past 12 years including the last three in Hoylake. She revealed that she had originally developed the cake recipe for her own wedding, with the idea of one day putting it on the menu of her own shop – Abba Cakes will soon open its second site in Chester.
Fruit
Winner: Westmorland Pepper Cake, Ginger Bakers
This cake triumphed in what was described as a category “full of stiff competition”. The winner, made by Cumbrian based Ginger Bakers, is described as a distinctive Cumbrian fruit cake, with robust spices and a fiery pepper kick. Other ingredients include black treacle, ginger wine, and stem ginger to enhance the flavour. The bakery even recommends enjoying it with cheese. “Hard to fault” and “a bold entry” were some of the comments by the judges, praising it for its “evolving flavour” and “peppery finish”.
Gluten Free
Winner: Chocolate Cake with Pistachio & Berries, Sweet! Let’s Eat
Tapping into the on-trend flavour of pistachio and providing a twist on Black Forest, this cake wowed the judges with “rich pistachio, a delicate sponge, and beautiful appearance”. It features gluten-free chocolate sponge sandwiched with pistachio-flavoured, mascarpone-enriched buttercream, topped with fresh strawberries coated in a light mixed berry jelly, and garnished with freeze-dried raspberries and sweet pistachio.
Mini
Winner: Cherry Desire – A Temptation in Every Layer, Anda’s Kitchen
Anda’s Kitchen describes Cherry Desire as “the perfect cake, where rich chocolate, tangy cherries, and velvety textures blend in perfect harmony”. This multi-layered delight comprises a moist dark chocolate sponge, a dark chocolate mousse, Chantilly vanilla cream, and sweet-and-sour cherry jelly all enveloped in a black mirror glaze. The judges applauded the balance of flavours and textures, commending the bakery for creating an “indulgent but light” treat.
Traybake
Winner: Fig, Ginger & Blackberry Traybake, Ginger Bakers
Ginger Bakers has once again triumphed in the Traybake category, having secured the trophy for its Orange, Cardamom & Bay Cake in the 2024 competition. This year’s winner features a fig & hazelnut sponge with stem ginger and a layer of blackberry jam, all topped with a vanilla mascarpone buttercream and finished with caramelised hazelnuts, freeze dried blackberries and crystallised stem ginger. A “marvellous taste combination” declared one judge, praising the sponge for its lightness but also the beautiful balance of flavour and delightful texture.
Vegan
Winner: Brownie, Rex Bakery
This vegan and wheat-free brownie is the only one that Rex Bakery sells – the Chilterns-based bakery doesn’t even label it as such, it believes it to be that good. It was a sentiment echoed by the judges who said “you wouldn’t know it was vegan or wheat-free”, describing it as a “clear winner” in the Vegan category. It comprises a thick layer of chocolate ganache and a fudgy brownie underneath.
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