We all know Manchester loves a burger, but what about dessert? Here, we take a look at the biggest, best and wackiest desserts Manchester has to offer.
'Ambassador's Reception' at Hawksmoor
Ambassador's ReceptionSarah Crandon
After opening its first branch outside of London earlier this year, Hawksmoor has established itself as the creme de la creme of steak houses in Manchester. But that doesn't mean that their desserts aren't top notch too. The 'Ambassador's Reception' is a chocolate and hazelnut homage to a certain well known chocolate from the 80s, and is about ten times as big. Consisting of chocolate ganache, chopped hazelnuts, Nutella and Nutella cream, homemade ice cream, super rich chocolate sauce and topped off with edible gold leaf - this dessert is as indulgent as they come.
Sarah Crandon
Other equally delicious desserts on offer are the Champagne and Strawberry Jelly, a grown up jelly and ice cream containing more champagne than a glass of champers; the Peach Sundae with poached peaches, raspberry sorbet and meringue; and the Peanut Butter Shortbread with salted caramel ice cream and a lavishly gooey melting chocolate middle.
The nice people at Hawksmoor also donate 50p to from each Ambassador's Reception they serve to Action Against Hunger, so you are doing good while eating well. No wonder they were voted one of the Top 20 Companies to work for this year.
Sarah Crandon
The cakes from Bakeorama are as outrageous and over-the-top as you can get. Whole Oreos, homemade giant peanut butter cups, filled ice cream cones and Kinder Buenos to name but a few, adorn the massive cakes in the counter. From rainbows, to Centre Court at Wimbledon, to Dolly Parton's face - you name it, you can have it on your cake and eat it too.
Sarah Crandon
Trained pastry chef Charlotte and her team of ten work seven days a week to create their excessive cakes, treats and unique cheesecakes for Home Sweet Home with incredible edible results. Often topical and never boring, the cakes not only look great but taste amazing too with flavours ranging from tropical carrot sponge with pina colada buttercream, to apple pie cake. You can also find their creations in the form of desserts at Almost Famous and Luck Lust Liquor and Burn, and you can even contact Bakeorama to commission your own impressive cake. Just don't ask for boring old Victoria sponge.
The Chocolate Bowl at Black Milk Cereal Dive
Sarah Crandon
Who says you have to wait until after dinner for your dessert? Why not join the guys at Black Milk Cereal Dive and have your dessert for breakfast?
Sarah Crandon
Along with the more traditional breakfast offerings of cereal or toast they also serve the Chocolate Bowl; your choice of a dark, milk or white chocolate bowl, filled to the brim with any of the hundreds of cereal on offer and finished with your choice of toppings.
Sarah Crandon
Here is a dark chocolate bowl filled with Reeces pieces, Reeces puff cereal, Captain Crunch All Berry cereal and topped with salted caramel ice cream, chopped nuts, honeycomb and chocolate sauce, with chocolate milk. The edible bowls are commissioned especially from Huttons in the Lake District and the bread for their toast is supplied by local bakery Trove foods. So although much of the eccentric cereal is imported from America, there are also lots of locally made offerings too.
Dessert Pizza at Dogs n Dough
Sarah Crandon
When a pizza for dinner just isn't enough, the guys over at Dogs n Dough have developed a pizza dessert for second helpings.
Sarah Crandon
Made from a normal freshly made pizza base, smothered in Nutella and topped with marshmallows, you are then free to add your own finishing touches with your choice of toppings and sauces. Whether you want Peanut M&Ms, Bounty or the new addition of Mini Eggs, you are guaranteed a colourful sugar overload which can't be missed. It's recommended to serve about six or you could tackle it alone - we won't judge.
Still hungry? See Time Out's guide to Manchester's best restaurants.