The Hummingbird Bakery opened on Portobello Road in London seven years ago to satiate a growing appetite for traditional American baked goods including cupcakes, pies and, eventually, whoopies. It would seem that the whoopie pie is the new cupcake, given the rash of cookbooks recently published on this Amish invention of dense sponge sandwiched together with vanilla marshmallow fluff.

There are many variations on the whoopie pie, from Hummingbird’s inaugural chocolate version right through to pumpkin or pistachio. This latest recipe collection from Hummingbird also contains dozens of recipes for their trademark cupcakes as well as an impressive selection of celebration cakes. I prefer the more homely recipes: the walnut and honey loaf and apple and currant crumble bars but there is something in here for every baker.