Lavinia Heeroma’s cake takes the prize in our county-wide competition.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lavinia Heeroma baked the best cake in our Suffolk Bake Off competition. Pictures: ContributedLavinia Heeroma baked the best cake in our Suffolk Bake Off competition. Pictures: Contributed (Image: Archant)

Earlier in the year we launched our competition to find the best amateur cake maker in Suffolk. And, as you can see, we’ve found our winner.

Lavinia Heeroma is a keen baker from Felixstowe, who loves the Suffolk countryside. Her showstopper cake celebrates the best of the county, with nods to the Suffolk Punch horse, Jimmy’s Farm, Aldeburgh Fish and Chips, Sutton Hoo, Pump Street Bakery, Felixstowe Port and more. Each and every side sings of Suffolk.

“When I was little I baked a lot with my nan,” said Lavinia. “Our favourites were those little butterfly cakes, with both of us nibbling on bits of ingredients along the way. She always cooked from fresh, and I enjoyed helping and watching her bake.

“I was mesmerised by the process of it all. This is where I believe the seed for baking was planted. Then The Great British Bake Off happened.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lavinia Heeroma baked the best cake in our Suffolk Bake Off competition. Pictures: ContributedLavinia Heeroma baked the best cake in our Suffolk Bake Off competition. Pictures: Contributed (Image: Archant)

“Watching this programme changed everything. It encouraged me to bake more and to be a little more adventurous. From then on I couldn’t stop. I had officially got the baking bug!

“Our household loves cakes and brownies. These two things are what I bake nearly every week. The children love my chocolate fudge cake with salted caramel buttercream, including all the trimmings. Yet my husband’s favourite is the classic Victoria sponge.

“I also have a personal favourite that can be used in brownies and cakes, and that’s Lotus Biscoff. This is the most amazing creation in biscuit and spread form. I put lashings of it into buttercream and in between cake batter before cooking. This gives the cakes a Biscoff secret centre once cooked.

I also dollop loads into brownies, giving them a good swirl so you get lovely gooey bits with every bite. I am addicted!”

East Anglian Daily Times: Lavinia Heeroma baked the best cake in our Suffolk Bake Off competition. Pictures: ContributedLavinia Heeroma baked the best cake in our Suffolk Bake Off competition. Pictures: Contributed (Image: Archant)