I’m coming down from a sugar high after last night’s launch party of The London Candy Company’s Knock-Offs cake line. The cakes will debut in the New York store today. Thankfully, there were also some savory food treats at the party to (somewhat) neutralize all of the delicious cake samples!
The new line of British candy bar-flavored cakes was inspired by those prepared by the mother of the shop’s owner Jig Patel when he was a young child. When I first read the descriptions, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy them. (I have simple tastes.) However, I was pleasantly surprised that the ones that I tasted were amazing! Cake highlights from pastry chef Khahlidra Levister include the following:
–After Eight – Chocolate cake layered with peppermint fondant and covered in dark chocolate
–Topic – Chocolate cake with homemade nougat and hazelnuts (This was my favorite!)
–Blackcurrant – Fruit pastille-flavored cake
–Terry’s Chocolate Orange – Chocolate cake layered with dark chocolate orange ganache and covered in dark chocolate
–Coconut Bounty – Coconut cake layered with coconut cream and covered in milk chocolate
Although The London Candy Company shop has only been open for ten weeks, it is already a favorite of British candy lovers. I asked Howie, the store manager, to share the top five candy bestsellers. (That way, you will know what to pick up while you’re getting your cake!) Here they are…
1. Maynard wine gums – There is no wine in the candy. Rather, it’s a British version of gummy candies.
2. Crunchie bar – This chocolate bar is similar to the texture (not taste) of a Butterfinger, but it is lighter.
3. 70% Dark Chocolate Kit Kat – Initially, they were 65%, but were changed to a higher percentage of chocolate. They constantly sell out.
4. Curly Wurly – These lattice-shaped chocolate and caramel candies are delicious. (I sampled one.)
5. Flake – Howie described this as the “gateway” candy for Americans to start eating British candies.
5. Smarties – Don’t confuse the British smarties with the American ones. Rather, they are chocolate. They are like M&Ms but each one tastes different. Fruit and vegetable concentrates are also used for coloring instead of artificial ingredients.
As you can see, there was a tie for #5. Howie also shared two honorable mentions:
1. Turkish Delight – British customers love this candy. Also, this candy is apparently mentioned in The Chronicles of Narnia, because many of the book/movie fans come in asking for it.
2. Minstrels – These candies are also like M&Ms, but they have a thicker shell. (You can microwave them for a few seconds – the shell will remain crisp, while the chocolate inside melts a bit.)
In any event, that is enough sweet talk for one post. I definitely recommend that you stop by the shop if you can. I enjoyed myself so much that I’m actually going to write a second post tomorrow regarding how to throw a sweet Wimbledon-themed party at home like the one that they hosted. Meanwhile, you can see some of the photos that I took last night:
The London Candy Company
1442 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10128
(212) 427-2129
www.thelondoncandycompany.com
Thanks to The London Candy Company for hosting such a fun party!