To mark the start of National Cupcake Week today (16 September), we are delighted to reveal our shortlisted finalists for the professional competition in the National Cupcake Championships.

With almost 250 entries to shortlist, the task was tough, as the standard of entries has increased year-on-year.

There were four categories to enter: Classic, Themed, Free-from, and Made with Alcohol. We whittled down the entries, based on recipe, appearance, innovation and technical skill required, and are pleased to announce the 15 shortlisted candidates in each category below.

We are also delighted to reveal that baking legend Mary Berry will be revealing the category winners and crowning our National Cupcake Champion at the live judging, to be held on 9 November at Cake International’s Birmingham show at the NEC.

Finalists in our professional competition:


Classic


Apple Pie - Debbie Kennedy, Sister Bakes

Banoffi Cupcake - Gill Talbot, Fantasweets

Carrot and Cocoa Nib - Stephanie Almeida, Stephanie Almeida

Chocolate & Pear Cupcake with Caramel Ganache - Michelle Alles, Fab Fairies and Wicked Tarts

Coconut Cupcakes - Ribana Cristescu, Sugarcraft Decorations

Gooseberry, Elderflower & Lemon - Lorraine Tolmie, All The Goodness

Lemon - Kerris Harrop, Cupcakes à la carte

Lemon & Lime Meringue Cupcake - Martin Hargreaves, Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery

Maple Drizzle and Pecan - Michelle Hollinshead, Cameo Cupcakes

Neapolitan - Kerri Elston, Mad Hatters Tearoom & Bakery

Neapolitan Ice Cream - Tanya O’Driscoll, Celebration Cakes & Sugar Craft

Simply Vanilla Cupcake - Joanna Lee, Vanilla Jo

The Really Chocolatey Cupcake - Simone Anglin, Sweet Heart Cakes and Bakes

Vanilla and Strawberry - Kasey Clarke, Kupkase

White Chocolate & Raspberry Panna Cotta Cupcake - Matt Gransden, Catermasters


Themed


At the Beach! - Kerri Elston, Mad Hatters Tearoom & Bakery

Banoffee This is Your Life - Sonya Norris, Sweet Sonya’s Cupcakes & Teatime Delights

Bird Cage Cupcake - Beata Khoo, My Sweet Passion Cakes

Black and White Harlequin - Mary Eastman, Mary’s Fairies

British Best Hero - Emma King, Funky Food

Christmas Cranberry - Debbie Mcfaul, Crumbs bakery

Fairies Tea Party - Margaret Fraczek, Cameo Cupcakes

Fairytale - Sofi Harrison, Scrumdiddlyumptious by Sofi

Food Themed Cupcakes - Kam Sokhi, Catermasters

Loi Krathong Thai Inspired Cupcake - Jo Walmsley, The Dandelion Bakery

Old MacDonald’s Farm - Helen Burgess, Decadence Designer Cakes

Old Style Hollywood Bachelorette Cupcakes - Laura Nolan, The Nuthouse Bakery

Summer Sundae - Helen Bollen, Mrs B’s Cakes

Teddy Bears’ Picnic - Yvonne Donald, Cupkakery

Valentine - Kerris Harrop, Cupcakes à la carte


With Alcohol


Absolutely Fabulous, Darling - Johannah Randall, Johannah’s Patisserie

Amaretto & Chocolate - Daniel Addy, Chef Dan’s Cakes

Boozy Coconut Keylime Pie - Josefine Austin, Josefine’s Cakery

Chocolate & Raspberry Martini Cupcake - Michelle Alles, Fab Fairies and Wicked Tarts

Dark Banana Daiquiri - Caroline Partridge, Hearthrug Cupcakes

Dark ’n’ Stormy cupcake - Sophie Rees, The Sweet Bliss Kitchen Bakery

Disaronno and Almond - Sarah Williams, David Jenkins

Earl Grey, Lemon and Gin - Stephanie Almeida, Stephanie Almeida

Moroccan Cherry Blossom - Scott Ball, Kooky Bakes

Moroccan Mint Cupcake - Rufaro Matsinde, CCTreats

Piña Colada Cupcakes - Fiona Pearce, Icing Bliss

Pink Charm - Amy Watson, Amy’s Cake Emporium

Raspberry Truffle Martini - Tania De La Porte, Chocolate Lace

Summertime Pimms - Paula Archard, Lilac Sensation

Wild Berry Cider Crumble - Sue Price-Whittle, Rachel’s Cupcakes


Free From


Bacon and Maple Syrup - Natalie Owens, Cupcake Boutique

Banana Split Cupcake - Nia Hatton-Blair, Nia’s Allergy Friendly Foods

Banoffee (Gluten Free) - Celia Adams, Bath Cake Company

Dairy & Egg Free Jammy Doughnut Cupcake - Emma Handley, Truly Scrumptious

Dairy Free Posy Cake - Lisa Cohen, The Boutique Cupcake Company

Gluten Free Chocolate & Cinnamon with Apple and Sultanas - Michelle Hollinshead, Cameo Cupcakes

Gluten Free Peanut, Chocolate and Jelly Cupcake - Melanie Nicolaou, Coco Meli Bakery

Gluten Free Rhubarb & Crumble - Alex Cowell, David Jenkins

Gluten free Turkish Delight - Kerri Elston, Mad Hatter’s Tearoom & Bakery

Lemon and Vanilla Rose Cupcake - Simone Anglin, Sweet Heart Cakes and Bakes

Mango and White Chocolate - Rachel Price-Whittle, Rachel’s Cupcakes

Pecan Passion Cupcake - Paul Barker, Cinnamon Square

Piped Rose Cupcake - Ribana Cristescu, Sugarcraft Decorations

Strawberry Shortcake Kiss - Michelle Husserl, Mychelle’s Baketique

Vegan Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Fudge - Stephanie Almeida, Stephanie Almeida


To view the shortlisted entries in our consumer competition, click here.

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