There’s a bakery in Manchester where you can decorate your own adorable tiny bento cake

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The finished products from our bento cake workshop

The finished products from our bento cake workshop

We’ve found a wholesome activity that’ll suit even the most cack-handed of bakers – a workshop where you can decorate your own miniature bento cake.

This Manchester activity has shot to the top of our list of our favourite things to do locally, perfect for a hen do, a birthday, a mate date or a date date.

Bento cakes, or lunchbox cakes, have all the elaborate decorations of a full celebration cake but made miniature, for a treat that doesn’t have to be shared out to dozens of people.

From swirls of buttercream frosting to pretty piped love hearts to cursive writing atop your cake, there are loads of decorations you can add to your own creation.

At Vanilla Ice Cakes in Chorlton, you’ll sit under the expert eye of owner Fiza, a master baker who’s been in the game for more than a decade.

She’ll guide you (and sometimes step in to help you) as you fumble your way through decorating your own cake.

As you arrive for your workshop you’re presented with two adorable vanilla sponge cakes, a classic base for a proper Victoria sponge or a more elaborate celebration cake.

Each class includes hot drinks, plus a plate full of Vanilla Ice Cakes’ delicious brownie bites.

From here, you’re taught the basics of piping, building a buttercream ‘dam’ before spooning in a filling of choice – jam, Nutella or Lotus Biscoff.

After applying a crumb coat (Great British Bake Off fans will already be on the right page here), the real fun begins.

Fiza will help you to whip up a smooth buttercream in whichever colour you wish, before letting you run riot with a piping bag.

You’ll practice swirls, rosettes, hearts, and even writing in icing ahead of decorating your actual cake.

You can see how we got on below, then book your own spot HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group