I'd put off visiting Hummingbird Bakery for some time, purely out of a reluctance to leave my corner of North London for the wilds of Portobello Road. But when I heard that a branch had opened in Central London, I popped in after work (a mere ten minutes walk) with the intention of trying the legendary Brooklyn Blackout Cake. Unfortunately they didn't sell it, so I went for a classic Red Velvet cupcake instead.Before I get to the cakey part, a word or two has to be said about the sheer delightfulness of this bakery. It's gorgeous, pink and shiny - like any cupcakery should be, really. The staff are incredibly lovely, and don't mind if you drop change all over the counter because the cold has sent your hands funny. So before I even left Hummingbird, I was happy. Excellent start.
Anyway back to the cupcake. Hummingbird thoughtfully package their cupcakes in little cardboard containers. It meant that even after traipsing in Soho for an hour, the frosting on my cupcake didn't get squished and every swirl remained intact.
I'm very pleased to report that the cupcake tasted every bit as delicious as it looked. And it's not very often that I can say that about sweet treats. The sponge was light and not overly sweet, but the cream cheese frosting was nothing short of divine.
Even with the special packaging, the Red Velvet cupcake was only £2 - I've paid the same for decidedly average cupcakes. I'm really impressed with Hummingbird Bakery and I'm looking forward to my next trip far more than I'd care to admit.
Wishing I lived in London so I could get Hummingbird cupcakes right now!
ReplyDeletebtw, have you tried the glorious Hummingbird Bakery cookbook? If not, you really should!
Domestic Slut Gail made an amazing coconut cake from that cookbook!
ReplyDeleteI was in the branch on the Portobello road in September. It was a stiflingly hot day and people were queued out the door, but the staff were so friendly and cheerful even though the bakery was SO hot inside! I agree with how good the cardboard boxes are as well - I carried my cupcakes around town and then back up to Leamington Spa on the train and they were just as pristine and delicious when I got home. I work in central London as well so I'll definitely be calling in soon!
ReplyDeletewoww this makes me want to live in london!! yummy :):) x
ReplyDeleteI recommend the ginger cupcakes and the banana chocolate cakes from the Hummingbird bakery book too - and the red velvet cupcakes are next on the list!
ReplyDeleteI am a real cupcake fan and sneak images of them in to my design work whenever I can.
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard about the Hummingbird Bakery I invested in their book and would highly recommend it to everyone!
I have not yet managed to visit the bakery and taste a 'real' cupcake yet but after that feature think that it should definitely be a resolution for this year!
My mum got me the Hummingbird cookbook for christmas, very excited to try it out but think a trip to London for one of their cakes is definitely on the cards!
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