Cupcakes have landed. For a long time, I searched for an outlet in my life, to channel my greed and penchant for sugar. Nothing sufficed, I tried biscuits, ice cream, spooning nutella out of the jar, eating whole birthday cakes from the reduced section in supermarkets; they still left me wanting.  Then, like a ray of light, the cupcake movement began.  Bakeries dedicated entirely to the little devils popped up all over London, promising a new age for fat pigs like myself.  Cupcakes are the new black, they are chic, beautiful and nostalgic, a trend in themselves.  Extensive cupcake testing needed to be carried out in order for this review to exist.  Chiconomise was sent generous test specimens from the best bakeries in London; here are our top 3 mouthwatering choices:

 

 

 

The best thing about Crumbs & Doilies are the mini cupcakes.  After days of testing, the smaller versions were a big relief. I decided that 4 mini cakes were equal to one bigger cake, a blatant miscalculation but it made me feel better about stuffing them in.  Each cupcake, little or large was made of chocolate, vanilla, lemon, coffee, carrot or their new specialty, earl grey sponge and iced with soft, buttery and sprinkled topping.  At £12 per dozen mini cupcakes and £22 per dozen big cupcakes, Crumbs & Doilies are the perfect party treat, sold at Covent Garden market and Partridges market on the Kings Road. 

 

 

 

Offering vanilla, chocolate and red velvet, Hummingbird know how to keep their customers happy.  Their pretty cakes are equally delicious and come in mini sizes too.  At 99p per mini cupcake, and £1.55 per regular cupcake, Hummingbird gives you delicious treats for remarkably low prices at their Kensington and Notting Hill stores. We love the red velvet most.  It is actually red, devil's food; but so worth selling your soul for.  As something of a cupcake connoisseur, I can honestly say this was the most delicious I have ever tasted.  I hold the memory of that taste as close to my heart as my parents. 

 

 

 

Primrose Bakery was my first taste of cupcake heaven when I popped in to their charming shop in Covent Garden a few months ago.  You can smell the fresh baking goodness coming up the stairs as you watch the trays being carried to the counters just as the icing sets.  From flavours such as vanilla, carrot, chocolate, coconut and peanut butter to a private client list spanning from Paul Smith to Anya Hindmarch, Primrose Bakery is a favourite amongst all the right circles.  Mini cupcakes start from £1.15 and bigger cupcakes from £1.75