Everybody knows that hot drinks and biscuits are among the all-time great combos and easily up there with the likes of strawberries and cream or fish and chips. But for some reason, the combination of hot drinks and cakes is far less celebrated, despite both items being sensational.
With the latest season of The Great British Bake Off coming to an end later this month, we thought it was high time someone turned the spotlight on the best cakes to enjoy with a hot drink. Luckily, we know a thing or two about coffee and the best things to enjoy with it, so we've compiled a list of the best cakes to pair with a steaming hot brew.
8. Banana bread
Don't worry, it's ok to admit to liking banana bread again - enough time has passed since everyone started chain-baking it at the start of the first lockdown. Putting social acceptability aside, there's no getting away from the fact that banana bread goes beautifully with a cup of coffee, with both accentuating the others' sweetness to perfection.
7. Vanilla sponge
Traditional and tasty, the vanilla sponge is among the most popular cakes ever created. It's the hint of vanilla that makes this such a good option to enjoy with a cup of coffee and if you ever need a safe bet to make ahead of a tea party, look no further.
Ironically it's the vanilla sponge's 'play it safe' approach that counts against it in this instance; there are so many cakes to choose from these days that coffee enthusiasts want something a little more exciting with their drink.
6. Blueberry cake
A cake that has become increasingly popular over the last decade or so, blueberry cakes (or muffins - they're just small cakes, after all) are sweet and juicy, enhancing the natural sweetness of coffee while also offsetting its acidity. Through no fault of its own, however, blueberry cake lacks the richness required to really bring out the best of coffee, so sixth place it is.
5. Cardamom cake
Carda what now?!
It doesn't matter if you've never heard of it, you really need to try it. Cardamom has an aromatic smell and a mild, mint-like taste that works perfectly in a cake, especially one that you're enjoying with a coffee. Trust us, the combination is sublime!
4. Lemon drizzle cake
A bit of a controversial choice in some circles due to its strong flavour, lemon drizzle cake is so light, it's arguably the most moreish cake ever devised and deserves its place on this list for that reason alone. If you don't think lemon and coffee belong together, think again.
3. Madeira cake
Another criminally underrated gem, madeira cake is a soft, buttery masterpiece. It's strength lies in its mild flavour which enables it to enhance the taste of your favourite coffee without distracting from it. Try it once and you'll be hooked for life.
2. Carrot cake
Now we're talking. Rich and delicious, with incredibly Roger moreish icing and, if you're lucky, chopped nuts, carrot cake is essentially several cakes in one. What makes it so good with coffee are the spices, especially cinnamon and ginger, which are among the most popular additions to a cup of coffee. Welcome to cake heaven.
1. Chocolate cake
No list of the greatest cakes to have with a coffee would be complete without chocolate cake, which combines two of the greatest pleasures known to mankind (chocolate and cake). Sweet, rich and gooey, anyone who has ever enjoyed a mocha knows how delicious the combination of coffee and chocolate is. Resistance is futile.
Whichever cake is your personal favourite, pairing it with one of our quality Cafe2U coffees is guaranteed to make it even better - find your nearest van here to make a booking.