Baking is back

Whilst watching the Great British Bake Off last night - who knew baking could be so tense - I was thinking about how baking has made a great come back. With the likes of the hummingbird bakery, the Primrose Bakery and of course Paul Hollywood's Artisan Bread Company there is really no surprise that few of us can resist tucking into a lovely cupcake or freshly baked loaf of bread. It has also inspired many people to start baking, and sparked a trend for cupcake themed gifts.

So with all those keen bakers out there what better present than something they either use whilst baking, or a reminder of their love of baking. So what great gifts are available? Here are just a few of the many.

What every baker needs is a way to display their efforts in the best possible way. Let Them Eat Cake is a fantastic website that creates one-off vintage china cake stands from beautiful mismatched china. The results are stunning and would add that extra touch of glamour to any afternoon tea. If you can't see anything you would like, or have some china that you would like making into a cake stand they also offer a bespoke service.

For those that have been inspired and would like to start baking, but don't know where to begin then Squeak Gift and Party have the perfect solution with their cupcake hamper. The hamper which contains all you need to get started with cupcake baking - even some edible gold stars.

For storing the beautiful cakes and biscuits then you could buy cake tins from many high street shops. However, for something a little different why not treat a cake lover you know to this beautiful handpainted tiffin tin from Rose and Grey? Each one is made of  four compartments and includes four metal plates, great for serving your cake or biscuits.

If you know someone who loves cakes, bread or pastries to eat, but who doesn't want to bake. Why not give them a wonderful treat from one of the many bakeries that now take orders online and deliver around the country.  Ice maiden cakes based in Somerset, where Julie makes fabulous cakes such as this vintage rose floral cupcake.  For biscuit lovers there is Biscuiteers who produce delicious iced biscuits.

Alternatively there are many themed gifts out there such as this lovely cupcake quilted notebook by Dinky Daisy. Perfect for keeping note of all those delicious baking recipies.

Unfortunately, I just missed National Cupcake week with this blog. However, David Bennett of the Sunshine Bakery in Chapel Allerton, Leeds gained the Cupcake Champion of Great Britain award. So if you are in Leeds and fancy coffee and cake it sounds like the Sunshine Bakery is the place to visit.