Hello, my name is Alice, and I am a sugar junkie...

I think the fact I felt the need to announce this in my very first blog post proves this point! Since childhood I have always been the first to finish my easter eggs, blow my pocket money on 20p mixes, and bake full batches of cookies only to polish them all off in the same afternoon. I blame my lack of self control, my flatmates blame the 'little fat kid' inside of me (yes, that's right, they have invented an alter-ego to explain my love of sweet stuff)


My initial introduction to online blogging was through recipe websites and bakery blogs such as bakerella which provide recipes, inspiration, and well.... to be blunt, my idea of food porn! Dedicated food journalists and their devestatingly perfect camera skills lead to me just gazing at baked goods on my laptop screen. Oh dear.



America seems to be harbouring the absolute pinnacle of cupcakes, blogs such as cupcakes take the cake dedicated exclusively to discovering and reviewing various bakeries' cupcake creations. I get steadily more hungry after reading for a few minutes on hi hat cupcakes (where the frosted cupcake is then topped with a layer of chocolate!), wedding cupcakes (the best idea for favours), bacon cupcakes (umm...), and frosting shots. The frosting shot, as the name may suggest, is simply a shotglass or cup of frosting - which removes all the pesky carbs that are found in cake, so I like to think that this is a healthy option. Yep, that's almost definitely the truth.





For those of us languishing in the North of England, however, there is still hope... sugary, delicious hope. Manchester's alternative shopping wonderland Afflecks Palace has a new shop on the second floor, by the name of cocoa emporium. The website promises that their latest store will not only sell gorgeous-looking handmade chocolates, but also their range of cupcakes - including unique flavours of stem ginger, earl grey tea, and rose and pistachio! Obligatory chocolate themed cakes are also available, naturally. A visit to this shop is topping my to-do list for the next time I'm in town!


A firm favourite of mine already is the gorgeous baking of Teacup (53-55 Thomas Street, in Manchester's Northern Quarter) which has fast become my little luxury during times of uni stress. Their soft but rich hazelnut cupcake, topped with a satisfying swirl of thick vanilla buttercream and a whole hazelnut, comes second.... following the most decadent chocolate orange cake thickly topped with cream cheese frosting... just thinking about it makes me hungry!


Teacup is one of the many great little hidden treasures which the Northern quarter contains, and offers the kooky individualism of Manchester's independent shops through homemade pies, fresh smoothies and teapots to order (various sizes are available, dependent on the number of tea drinkers present!) An excellent choice for a lazy Sunday lunch, Teacup also have the loveliest staff who couldn't be more helpful and I promise will not aggravate any lingering hangover. Perfect.