'Tis the season for indulgence, and London is a treasure trove for anyone with a festive sweet tooth or a craving for comforting savouries. The city's bakery scene is currently glittering with incredible seasonal treats - you just need to know where to look. The options are endless, tempting you with everything from award-winning festive doughnuts to intricate cookies and marvellous meringues.
Get ready to feast with our expert guide to the ultimate bakeries and bread bakers in London right now.
PAUL Bakery
Embrace the spirit of indulgence this season with artisan French bakery PAUL. They are celebrating Christmas with a spectacular collection of Bûches de Noël - exquisite Yule logs designed to be the showstopping finale to any festive feast. From the trend-setting Dubai Chocolate Pistachio log to beloved classics, each piece is handcrafted using only the finest ingredients. We tried the Dubai Chocolate Yule Log, this luxurious yule log layers moist chocolate sponge with pistachio buttercream, kunefe, and chocolate curls, topped with crushed pistachios. And for your festive lunch fix, nothing signals the start of the season quite like the arrival of the Christmas sandwich. This year, PAUL has released traditional festive flavours in two stunning handcrafted creations: the Turkey & Bacon Christmas Club and the Brie & Cranberry Baguette.
Reviewed by Nicky Morris, Acting TV and Film Editor
Cutter & Squidge
Cutter & Squidge has firmly established itself as the go-to brand for modern, stylish edible gifting, and their preview of the 2025 Christmas collection suggests they are doubling down on that reputation. This year's concept is a promising one: taking the nostalgic, comforting flavours of the festive season and giving them a luxurious, innovative makeover. The collection, available for nationwide delivery, seems perfectly calibrated for two distinct purposes: impressive, low-effort hosting centrepieces and thoughtful, beautifully presented gifts.
The line-up covers all the expected bases - cakes, hampers, and stocking fillers - but the headline acts are tackling the classics with exciting textural changes. The Loaded Christmas Tiffin Wreath looks set to be the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Moving away from traditional (and often divisive) fruit sponges, this is an unashamedly indulgent chocolate feast. The description reads like a texture-lover's dream: homemade brownie chunks, fluffy marshmallow, and Madagascan vanilla shortbread all encased in chocolate ganache. Serving 15 people and finished with tart cranberries and gold balls, it is designed to be a substantial, glittering centrepiece for a party. However, the most intriguing update to a classic might be the Brown Butter & Toasted Almond Mince Pies. The mince pie market is crowded, but Cutter & Squidge has found a genuine hook. By steeping classic mincemeat in "nutty, rich brown butter" before loading it into handcrafted golden pastry, they promise a depth of flavour and richness that should elevate the humble mince pie into something gourmet. The addition of a delicate crumble and flaked almond topping finishes off what sounds like a sophisticated twist on a staple.
Reviewed by Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor
Borough 22
Introducing doughnut sensation Borough 22 – they are gluten-free, 100% plant-based, dairy-free, halal and kosher. The must-try fried doughnuts are praised for their chewier and slightly denser bite than traditional creations. Choose from an array of delicious flavours including the cinnamon sugared ring; vanilla bean glazed ring; jam filled; award-winning plant-based custard; and chocolate cream filled. The Strips + Dips Box is the newest addition to the fried range, offering five strips of signature doughnuts rolled in caster sugar, served with both plant-based caramel and chocolate dipping sauce. For those craving a more traditional cake-like experience, try Borough 22's oven-baked doughnuts in classic flavours such as red velvet, cookies + cream and salted caramel, as well as S'mores and Jaffa.
Lola's Cupcakes
A favourite among Londoners but also providing nationwide delivery, contrary to its name, Lola's Cupcakes not only serve the most amazingly moreish cupcakes, but they also specialise in brownies, cheesecakes, and cakes for special occasions, whether it's a birthday, a gender reveal, or a wedding.
Blushing Cook
Created by ex-Le Gavroche pastry chef Sammi Gascoyne, Blushing Cook is beautiful treat for Londoners. Their special floral brownies are made with the finest ingredients and decorated with organically grown edible flowers grown in Devon - each one is completely unique. The beautiful indulgent, rich fudgy double chocolate brownies are hand-baked and made from 100% sustainable cocoa.
Sammi has combined her passion for baking, and all things floral to create truly unique brownies and biscuits decorated with edible flowers. She studied patisserie at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, worked at Le Gavroche as pastry chef, and for renowned cake designer Peggy Porschen. Her unique and delicious collections include themed brownies for special occasions, eg Baby Showers, Thank you Teacher, Birthdays etc and the range of floral designs are created by renowned illustrator Emma Block and decorated by hand with celebratory messages.
Crosstown
Crosstown is a scratch bakery in London specialising in sourdough doughnuts, small-batch ice cream, homemade cookies, extraordinary chocolate, and speciality coffee. The company, founded in 2014 by JP Then and Adam Wills, started as a street food stall and has since grown into an omnichannel retailer and currently has 27 sites across the UK, a delivery hub in Cambridge, as well as online nationwide ordering, events, catering, and wholesale segments. They sell a delicious range of vegan sourdough doughnuts, made with alternative ingredients such as chia seeds, coconut butter and silken tofu.
In 2020, the brand extended its offering to include homemade cookies and ice cream. Crosstown Ice Cream is made in small batches, using traditional methods and the finest seasonal ingredients to develop real flavour and a smooth, silky finish. Each flavour can be paired with homemade toppings inspired by the brand's award-winning doughnuts or served with dairy or oat milk for a refreshing shake.
Reviewed by Sharnaz Shahid, Deputy Online Editor
Heavenly Desserts
Visit one of Heavenly Desserts' 42 restaurants across the UK - including the Walthamstow store - and sample the very finest delectable chocolate treats. Founded in 2008, the luxury dessert parlour offers exciting experiences and delicious creations that are crafted to perfection. From croffles and waffles to tasty cheesecakes and cookie dough, there is an option to satisfy any sweet craving. The new vegan menu guarantees that no dessert lover will get left behind.
Innovation and creativity are the beating heart of Heavenly Desserts, providing its customers with an unforgettable and unrivalled dining experience. However, if you decide to remain in the comfort of your own home as the colder nights draw in, all products are available to order online through Uber Eats or Deliveroo.
GAIL's
In the 1990s, Gail Mejia brought the best bakers in town together to bake for London's top chefs and restaurants. The first GAIL's bakery opened in London's Hampstead High Street in 2005. Today, they have 79 bakeries in neighbourhoods in and around London, Oxford, Brighton and beyond. They bake fresh, handmade bread, pastries and cakes every day, served with a carefully-sourced house blend specialty coffee.
This summer, GAIL's launched their Picnic on the Green Hamper filled with delights including the Strawberry and Ricotta Cake, which is now available across bakeries. Freshly baked throughout the day the polenta & ricotta cake is topped with sliced fresh strawberries. Nothing says British summertime like strawberries. They team perfectly with the ricotta and polenta cake, for a light, summery sweet treat that I can't get enough of, not to mention their incredible sausage roll that I enjoy all year round!
Reviewed by Katie Daly, Lifestyle Writer
Doughnut Time
Doughnut Time is a disruptive bakery brand paving the way for social-media led small-businesses. The Doughnut Time Creative Chefs draw inspiration from what's trending, celeb gossip and the latest buzz-worthy confectionary, to create an ever-changing menu. The hand-crafted doughnuts are made fresh daily by a team of doughnut designers who work around the clock to make the biggest and boldest doughnuts.
The London-famous doughnuts can be purchased from their 13 stores around the capital, as well as in Reading, Bracknell, Basingstoke and Wokingham, and online with nationwide next-day delivery! Expect a colourful selection of ginormous doughnuts, a vast Vegan range and Baked, their gluten-free collection made in a dedicated kitchen!
Patisserie Valerie
One of Britain's best-loved bakeries, Patisserie Valerie - which was founded in 1926 by Theophile Vermeirsch - is known for its signature cakes, pastries, afternoon teas, and fresh artisan sandwiches, wraps. All products are lovingly handmade by a highly skilled bakery team using traditional baking methods and fresh, quality ingredients. Patisserie Valerie also offers a selection of its famous cakes and gateaux for nationwide delivery, including the new Ice Cream Cone Drip Cake.
Beautifully iced and exquisitely flavoured, this summer, Patisserie Valerie is here to elevate those all-important summer celebrations with its new luxury Signature Collection of cakes. With seven impressive handmade designs, from modern ombre effect to showstopping two-tier rosette cakes, there’s something for every special occasion, including weddings, birthdays, baby showers and garden parties. Each cake within the Signature Collection can be ordered with vanilla sponge with a strawberry compote filling, or chocolate sponge with a chocolate cream filling. For a complete celebration in a box, include free personalised inscription, or add glitter cake toppers, candles or balloons.
Visit, patisserie-valerie.co.uk
