Illustration by Marcelina Jagielka
Although I have a preference for savoury flavours, I have a terrible sweet tooth. It just seems right to end a meal with something sweet. It doesn’t have to be sugary – fruit often does the trick – but there has to be something to look forward to. During my time in London, there were many places to enjoy: from the out-and-out sugar feast to the more considered delight.
Borough Market is naturally going to feature in all of my articles about London, and its range of stalls provide excellent choices for the discerning pudding-lover. Moishe’s is a Jewish bakery known for its rainbow bagels and glorious challah. I tried some of their pastries, and they did not disappoint. They were light, crisp, and incredibly moreish: a deadly combination in desserts!
Another spot in Borough Market is the infamously-Instagrammable Humble Crumble. A friend and I shared an apple and rhubarb crumble topped with frozen custard. It was a perfect combination of hot fruit, crunchy crumble and cold, melting custard. It is a deliciously unique spin on the classic British crumble, and a must-visit for those in the area.
I also went through a doughnut phase during my time in London; I enjoyed an interesting prune doughnut from St John’s Bakery on Borough Road, which featured flaky pastry akin to puff but more solid and topped with granulated sugar as well as an Oreo doughnut from The Clubhouse Café in Camberwell Green. The latter was simple but effectively executed, and importantly, wasn’t too sweet.
But the star of my list must be the doughnuts from Doughnut Time. Their doughnuts are works of art: colourful, creatively-presented, and indulgently enormous. Importantly, they have recently opened a shop in Westgate, Oxford. You’ll be able to catch me there enjoying a post-tutorial treat! Though while I was in London, I ate mine sat in front of the Tate Modern, overlooking the Thames and relishing the opportunity to people-watch.
London gave me a fantastic opportunity to indulge my sweet tooth, and try a range of desserts that I would never have otherwise. However, I am disappointed that I was unfortunately unable to try the soufflé pancakes in Chinatown that a friend recommended. If I get the opportunity to stay in London again, I will seek them out, and more!