A COLERNE baker has proven she has the recipe for success after being crowned overall winner at the National Cupcake Championships.

Helen Bollen, who runs Mrs B’s Cakes, won best in show in addition to three other awards for her baking treats at the championship finals in Oxford last Monday.

Her award-winning recipes included a wild blueberry and Belgian chocolate cupcake, a Chambord bramble berry cupcake and a spiced apple and blackberry cupcake in the classic category.

Mrs Bollen said: “I am absolutely thrilled beyond words to win this. It is something I have been working towards for the last four years and it is going to mean so much to my business.

“It means that my cakes are good and it is so good to have that endorsement.

“This will help future customers trust in me especially when I am doing wedding cakes and wedding cupcakes.”

The judges said the fruit in her spiced apple and blackberry cupcake cut through the sweetness, creating a perfectly balanced cupcake.

While the judging took place, the 60 finalists were treated to two chocolate master classes by Barry Callebaut, which sponsored the event.

The event was also sponsored by Hello and… and hosted by British Bakels at its centre in Bicester.