It’s Bake Off week! Some of our suggestions

UnderTheDoormat is, of course, talking about the Great British Bake Off. The show begins tonight on the BBC, and to celebrate we’ve prepared an essential package of London bakeries and cafés where you can indulge and emulate the upcoming heroes of British baking.

Old Post Office Bakery, Clapham

A fine bakery selling hand-crafted goods, ranging from bread to cakes and seasonal specialities such as hot cross buns. They’re also increasingly found at farmers’ markets, including in Queen’s Park, Brixton and Clapham Common.

Primrose Bakery, Primrose Hill, Kensington and Covent Garden

Specialising in cupcakes and all things sweet, the Primrose Bakery provide a fantastic and varied range of treats and snacks, making them one of the most sought-after bakeries in London.

Molly Bakes, Kingsland Road

Molly Bakes served up cakes, coffee and otherwise standard fare for a good-quality bakery. But then the freakshake arrived. This mountain of sugar-fuelled indulgent heaven (or a monstrosity… but it tastes nice and looks good on Instagram) has transformed London’s bakery scene and has swept Shoreditch and Soho by storm. They are extraordinarily delicious, and we’ll forgive you if you struggle to finish one!

Toast Ale, sold in various locations

A departure from more conventional uses of baking, but this brewery is an up-and-coming prospect. Toast Ale take leftover bread, such as the crust discarded by sandwich manufacturers, and then mix it with hops, yeast and water as part of the brewing process to provide delicate caramel flavours. The result is a delicious and well-balanced beer, while profits return to Feedback, a charity campaigning to end food waste.