Calling all dessert lovers in London: The Hummingbird Bakery is a sugary dream come true. Back in 2004, Tarek Malouf opened the first shop in Notting Hill (there are six more locations across London and two in Dubai), and this adorable, American-style bakery continues to deliver mouthwatering treats.
Being a huge fan of The Hummingbird Bakery, I've practically baked every recipe in its cookbook. While studying abroad in London this summer, I visited the Soho location. Here's what I thought.
Atmosphere
The sleek, pink and brown space featured glass cases lined with sugary creations. I immediately understood why London natives and international visitors consistently fall in love with the eatery (and its signature red velvet cupcakes).
Upon reaching the front of the queue, I was greeted by a friendly staff member and seriously photogenic desserts. Safe to say, I was utterly overwhelmed by the endless options. This was a dessert lover's heaven.
Its Cupcake Selection
Although it sells a variety of desserts, The Hummingbird Bakery is famous for its cupcakes. Naturally, I decided to sample a couple. When in London, am I right?
To kick off this cupcake extravaganza, I decided to try the salted caramel cupcake. It did not disappoint. The cupcake, which was chocolaty and moist, featured a dreamy dulce de leche center that perfectly complemented the sweet and salty frosting.
Next on the list? The black bottom cupcake. This dessert is a mixture of vanilla and chocolate cake that features a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. The frosting balanced out the cake’s sweetness for a total win.
After sampling two of the bakery's cupcakes, I understood why these treats were so loved. These were some of the most flavorful and moist cupcakes I've eaten. My stomach thanked me.
Other Dessert Options
The Hummingbird Bakery sells goods other than its famous cupcakes. I figured I needed to sample other types of treats for those who aren't so crazy about cupcakes.
My hungry eyes led me to sample the bakery's classic brownie. The brownie, a beautiful, thin square topped with a powdered sugar hummingbird, bursts with an intense dark chocolate flavor. It tasted as delicious as it looked. I especially enjoyed the dense texture that reminded me of fudge.
Sticking with the chocolate theme, I indulged in a hefty slice of chocolate mayonnaise bundt cake. Yes, you read that right. I was skeptical about eating mayonnaise in a cake, but this cake proved me wrong. One bite of this bad boy totally changed my perspective. It was super moist and fluffy, and the flavor was enhanced by a rich dark chocolate glaze.
Final Thoughts
As I longingly admired other options, like the bakery's best-selling rainbow cake and the golden brown cinnamon buns, I decided this was the first of many visits to The Hummingbird Bakery. This shop features a wide variety of treats that will cure any sweet tooth, whether it be with the ever-so-popular red velvet cupcake or the carrot cake.
If you ever find yourself in London and with hardcore sugar cravings, I definitely recommend this bakery. With popular American-style desserts, The Hummingbird Bakery will bring you a little taste of home. But, if you find yourself not in London and with hardcore sugar cravings, tide yourself over by baking signature recipes from the shop's latest cookbook.