Advertisement: The best local postal bakes to gift
It’s a perennial Christmas problem: what to buy the person who has everything. The solution? Send them one of our area’s best postal treat boxes
Fitzbillies
Fitzbillies is a 100-year-old bakery and café with two branches in Cambridge: the original in Trumpington Street and a smaller branch in Bridge Street. Both sell a huge variety of cakes, bread and, of course, Fitzbillies’ famous, ultra-sticky Chelsea buns, along with artisan coffee, ice cream and cold drinks. Visit Trumpington Street for brunch or a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service.
Fitzbillies Christmas in a Tuck Box, comprising six mince pies, four Chelsea buns, a small Christmas pudding and a fruit and nut-topped Christmas cake bar, £60
The Geographer Store
An independent, family-run business founded in Histon in 2013l, The Geographer has morphed from bricks-and-mortar cafe and shop to online store. Specialising in eco-friendly products, “we stock food and travel-inspired gifts and homewares, plus have a unique range of gift boxes spanning everything from fresh coffee to new baby gifts. Check out our beautiful stationery and ethical jewellery, too.” If you’re missing the cafe’s signature rocky roads, good news: you can now order a box.
Mixed Rocky Road Box, £13.50 for six slices or £17.50 for eight, plus UK P&P, £3.95
Bitesize Bakehouse
“Creating soulful bakes that fuse ethical sweetness and tasteful touches for the perfect edible gift,” Bitesize Bakehouse is an artisan bakery in South Cambridgeshire. The online shop specialises in handcrafted chocolates, gourmet marshmallows and brownies in a host of delicious flavours. Everything is available for UK-wide delivery and comes beautifully gift wrapped and with handwritten personalised notes, too.
The Marshmallow "Snowflake" Collection, containing Cranberry, Gingerbread Spice, Double Chocolate and Mulled Wine mallows, £13 for a Classic box (8 pieces) or £25 for the Indulgence (16 pieces)
Cosy Camp S’mores
A Stateside campfire staple, the s’more takes its name from ‘some more’. Which says it all really. A biscuit sandwich filled with toasted marshmallow and just-starting-to-melt chocolate, the variations are endless. Someone who’s perfected the process is Asher-Marie Cater, founder of Cambridge brand Cosy Camp S’mores. Her gift boxes contain everything you need, including biscuits, mallows, chocolates and a non-toxic smokeless burner which can be used indoors or outdoors.
The Christmas S'more Box, £20
Gourmet Brownie
As anyone who’s ever eaten a Gourmet Brownie can attest, they’re in a class of their own. Achieving that magical combination of crispy top, gooey middle and chocolatey hit, Ely-based husband and wife team Kirstyn and Andrew Samalionis won a coveted Great Taste Awards star for their classic recipe, the basis of every bake they produce.Their seasonal specials are always much anticipated, and star of the Christmas show this year is the chocolate orange which has been given “a sparkly makeover”.
Christmas Chocolate Orange Brownie Box, £20 to include gift box, handwritten gift card and delivery
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Alice Ryan