Town mouse on some cupcakes with a difference

Town Mouse on Marmite cupcakes

Town mouse; country life
town mouse new
(Image credit: Country Life)

The Country Life office runs on cake. Not a day goes by without baked goods appearing on the treat shelf (or ‘Cholesterol Corner', to give it its proper name). Staff birthdays are traditionally marked with a caterpillar-shaped confection from the local Marks & Spencer and commissions are firmed up with contributors over slices of homemade Victoria sponge. Unsurprisingly, we all subscribe to our parent company's dental-care scheme. Sometimes, we're sent new products to try.

And this past week, following the huge success of our Best of Britain issue, we've taken delivery of goodies that echo its theme. As I type, the Architectural Editor is munching on the Wimbledon Centre Court scoreboard-icing wizards Biscuiteers have just launched a tennis-themed tin. On the other side of the room, a crowd has gathered around a box of chocolate cupcakes filled with Marmite from chic London bakery LOLA's.

It sounds three stops short of Dagenham (Barking), but, strangely, it works.

This isn't the first time the world's most controversial condiment has had a whimsical moment during the Diamond Jubilee year, a limited-edition spread fit for a Queen was released: Ma'amite.

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Emma Hughes lives in London and has spent the past 15 years writing for publications including the Guardian, the Telegraph, the Evening Standard, Waitrose Food, British Vogue and Condé Nast Traveller. Currently Country Life's Acting Assistant Features Editor and its London Life restaurant columnist, if she isn't tapping away at a keyboard she's probably taking something out of the oven (or eating it).