The next morning we set upon the cakes again, all in the name of research of course!
Primrose Vanilla Cupcake with Chocolate Frosting (Selfridges)
I’m a sucker for sprinkles, and this traditional little cake was impossible to resist.
Me: This was a very nice, simple cake. The vanilla sponge was light and tasty and the chocolate frosting was not over sweet, but not very chocolaty either. I think the sign of a good cook is when they can do a simple thing perfectly. This little cake fit the bill, but not to my personal tastes, which lean towards real chocolate in the frosting.
Mark: Thought this one was very good. The sponge had a good consistency and the topping was not too sugary.
Richard: Slightly dry. The topping was sugary but not too sweet, although it didn’t taste of chocolate at all.
Hummingbird Grape Soda
This was an exciting looking cupcake. The frosting was perfectly piped and it was simply decorated with grape soda jelly beans. The purple was a subtle, natural looking tone rather than the garish hue of real grape soda.
Me: The sponge, when eaten alone, was pleasantly (although mildly) flavoured but the frosting was far too mildly flavoured for what the colour led you to expect. Also, there was far too much frosting and its sweetness overpowered the delicate sponge. I thought the jelly beans were a nice touch.
Mark: The sponge was fine, but he totally hated the frosting. Although he did say there was nothing really wrong with it, it was just a flavour that he did not like.
Richard: Was the most excited by the look of this cake and couldn’t wait to try it however was disappointed by the mild flavour.
Lily Vanilli Ginger Cupcake (Harrods)
I think this one had a more interesting name than “ginger” but I’m afraid I don’t recall it. I liked the handmade chocolate disk on top but for some reason was expecting the sprinkles to be popping candy and was disappointed when they didn’t pop.
Me: I liked the look of this cake with its chocolate piece and it had a good traditional iced gingerbread flavour. Personally I would like more ginger, but I can’t really fault it on that.
Mark: Thought it was quite good gingerbread, but the topping tasted of nothing and was too sticky.
Richard: Actively disliked all of this cake. The chocolate disk was artificial tasting and the cake was too gingery. I might add here that Richard does not like ginger.
Only three more to go!
