Image: @violetcakeslondon

This week hosts to not one, but two fabulously foody celebrations. Not only is it a whole week dedicated to chocolate (National Chocolate Week, October 10-16) but we also round the week off on with National Dessert Day.

In celebration of this (although, really, any excuse will do!), we have put together some of the best spots in East London to indulge in the likes of gooey brownies, creamy milkshakes, home made pies and traditional steamed puds.

Violet Cakes, Hackney

47 Wilton Way, E8 3ED. Also at Broadway Market, Saturdays 9am-16pm

Run by food writer and recipe developer, Claire Ptak, the café opened in 2010 after the success of her initial stall on Broadway Market. The small café in Hackney now offers a range of cakes and baked goods, all of which are made with organic flour, sugar, milk and eggs.

Website: violetcakes.com

Dessert Express, Tower Hamlets

Delivery to E1, E2, E3 and E14 only.

Boasting to be East London’s first-ever dessert delivery company, Dessert Express aims to tackle those late night sweet cravings by delivering both hot and cold desserts straight to your door. Open seven nights a week, it offers waffles, sundaes, hot puddings, and milkshakes as well as ice cream and children’s desserts.

Website: dessertexpress.co.uk

Cyclelab & Juice Bar, Shoreditch

16b-18a Pitfield St, London, N1 6EY

Do not be fooled, because as well as offering bike repairs, helmets and yoga classes. Cyclelab also offers a variety of gluten-free, vegan and organic cupcakes, cakes, cookies and brownies. The business has homemade gluten-free banana bread made fresh in the kitchen, and you can wash it all down with a fresh smoothie or rich coffee.

Website: cyclelabuk.wordpress.com

Poppies, Spitalfields

6-8 Hanbury Street, E1 6QR

Although famously known for their traditional fish and chips, Poppies also offers comforting desserts in the style of caramel sticky toffee pudding, apple pie and minghella ice cream.

Website: poppiesfishandchips.co.uk

Molly Bakes Café, Hackney

450 Kingsland Road, E8 4AE

Owner, Maria Goodman, prides herself on producing the finest cakes possible with the best quality ingredients. Cupcakes, layer cakes, cake pops, brownies, cookies, iced biscuits and bespoke cakes are all available to order online. Alongside this, the café also proudly serves Freakshakes which are made using fresh ice cream, topped with sauces and a choice from brownies, cookies, tartlets and honeycomb.

Website: mollybakes.co.uk 

Words: Gina Powell