The quickest way to make 2020 look better is reflecting back on all the great things you ate. Birthday cake cookies and tiramisu sundaes, Mars bar brownies and honeycomb blondies, a humble-named Jar or the “Ultimate” carrot cake, these are the best London desserts of 2020.
Salted caramel doughnut: Longboys
A long, light, brioche-based doughnut with shavings of caramelised white chocolate on top and a luxuriously thick, salted caramel crème inside, the glossy, golden liquid just oozes out after one bite.
Address: 119 Lower Stable Street Coal Drops Yard, London N1C 4DR or Boxpark, 18 Olympic Way, London HA9 0JT
Tiramisu sundae: Chin Chin Ice Cream
Coffee ice cream, a dusting of cocoa powder and the fluffiest, softest cloud of whipped mascarpone cream, the base of this brilliant tiramisu mash-up is a thick, super rich, brownie-like cookie that is soaked in espresso for an extra gooey texture. The Chin Chin team have truly outdone themselves here.
Address: 54 Greek St, London W1D 3DS or 49-50 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF
Pecan white chocolate cookie: Le Choux
Crispy to start and buttery-soft underneath, this cookie is humble in size – thin not chunky – yet so rich and satisfying. Caramelised white chocolate with finely chopped pecans and a sprinkling of flaky, perfectly present Fleur de Sel, pop it into the oven and receive pools of hard-hitting, extra warming, chocolate in return.
Address: 332 Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington, London W10 5AH
Saffron dulce de leche: EL&N
A Middle Eastern version of tres leches cake with saffron-spiced sponge, whipped cream and lots of sweet vanilla milk – this is soft, melt-in-your-mouth moist, so refreshing and just mind-blowingly good. EL&N isn’t just a pink, picture-perfect spot for the ‘gram.
Multiple locations
Mars bar brownie: Flavourtown Bakery
The bakery’s award-winning brownie piled high with caramel, chocolate nougat and a final layer of silky, smooth Belgian chocolate ganache – the mars bar brownie is as rich and gooey as it gets.
Address: 771 Fulham Rd, London SW6 5HA
Red velvet vanilla cake: Outsider Tart
Red velvet cake sandwiched with buttery, tender layers of vanilla sponge, the cream cheese frosting in this slice is the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
Address: 83 Chiswick High Rd, London W4 2EF
Blondie: Panzer’s Deli
Golden and so gooey, sweet but not sugary sweet – with the right ratio of slightly bitter, crunchy milk chocolate chunks and teeny tiny nibbles of honeycomb – Panzer’s Deli might be known for bagels and smoked salmon but the blondie is a real thing of beauty.
Address: 13-19 Circus Rd, London NW8 6PB
Tiramisu lamington: Radio Lamington
A pillowy soft, springy vanilla sponge layered with Mr Black Arabica coffee mascarpone, Pump Street dark chocolate ganache, Beany Green espresso and brownie crumbs, the tiramisu lamington hits you with strong, deep flavours of caffeine and chocolate – it’s light in the sponge but welcomingly dark and decadent everywhere else.
Address: 6C Sheldon Square, London W2 6EZ or online
Banana cake doughnut: Crosstown Doughnuts
Soft and dense like cake, full of banana flavour – in the dough and icing – plus a filling of chunky cherry compote all the way round, Crosstown’s new banana cake doughnut is now an unmisseable part of the range.
Multiple locations
Ultimate carrot cake: Meringue Girls
The best carrot cake in London, by far. It has the perfect texture – dense yet so soft and squidgy – with golden raisins, chopped pecans and a refreshing frosting of lime-infused mascarpone to finish. It’s both a blessing and a curse because no other carrot cake will ever compare.
Address: Unit 1 Broadway Market, London E8 4TS (Saturdays only)
Affogato: Crème
Rumour has it Crème switches up the soft serve flavours but if it’s frosties, then it’s like Milk Bar has made its way to London. A thick swirl of cereal milk soft serve mixed with a double shot of espresso – very strong – and cookie crumbs – these go all soft and soggy – this is the elevated version of childhood cookies and milk.
Address: 4 D’Arblay St, London W1F 8DJ
Chocolate tart: Miel Bakery
Super shiny, deeply dark chocolate ganache with a sprinkling of sea salt to make the flavours pop – it’s palm sized but perfectly rich. If there’s only one thing you can order from Miel Bakery, it has to be the chocolate tart.
Address: 57 Warren St, London W1T 5NR
Birthday cake cookie: Crumbs & Doilies
A crispy exterior with a cakey-soft, buttery-sweet inside, lots of sprinkles and two types of white chocolate – classic and caramelised – Crumbs & Doilies has launched many more flavours this year but birthday cake remains the absolute best.
Address: 1 Kingly Ct, Soho, London W1B 5PW
Pecan pie: Hart & Lova Bakery
The pastry crust is flaky and light, the pecans are chopped to a perfect, teeny tiny size – crispy yet sticky with sugar – and the filling is full of rich, caramel sweetness. Hart & Lova is a hidden, North London bakery that deserves visits from more than just locals.
Address: 213a Belsize Rd, London NW6 4AA
Pear almond tart: Ben’s Bakery
Juicy pears sinking into a sweet, creamy filling of ground almonds, a crust that is crisp to start and soft inside, the pear almond tart from Ben’s Bakery is pure perfection.
London food markets including Victoria Park Market
Pumpkin spice cheesecake: Honey & Spice
Spiced pumpkin with a gooey, nutty base and a dollop of sour cream in the middle, this cheesecake is so soft and creamy, warming and light – it simply melts in your mouth.
Address: 52 Warren St, London W1T 5NJ
The Jar: Apple Butter Café
Vanilla soft serve with a chocolate cookie crumble, white chocolate chips, a generous pouring of piping-hot milk chocolate ganache and a spongy, dark chocolate cake at the bottom, try and get each component into one super rich, hot-and-cold, oh-so comforting spoonful.
Address: 32-34 Monmouth St, London WC2H 9HA
