Tucked away on the sleepy streets of Balham, just a stone’s throw from Clapham and in between Wandsworth Common and Streatham is Knead a Little Love. Aside from being experts in punny names, the team here are also pretty well versed in making top-class vegan doughnuts and serving up delicious coffee.
It’s little surprise that the baked goods that are churned out of the kitchen at Knead a Little Love taste so good, as they’ve been created by a Le Cordon Bleu trained chef. This small sister-run company is headed up by Jess, who comes from a five star patisserie background and got her qualifications from the inimitable pastry school in London. Recently, thanks to her baking prowess, Jess has also been shortlisted for the Rising Star Award at the National Baking Awards.
While doughnuts are the big seller here, there is also a generous menu of lunch specials, baked goods and snacks should you fancy pulling up a pew for a bite to eat on site. You’ll find a sweet café-style interior and a pleasant terrace out the front which means whatever the weather, you’re sorted for a seat.
Lunch specials include a homemade dahl with a wedge of sourdough and a Clarence Court egg or a soy, Siracha and sesame marinated tofu bowl with homemade avocado salsa and mango salad. Fresh smoothies, soft drinks and barista-made coffees are all on hand to keep you hydrated too.
For the main event – the doughnuts – the menu is stuffed with tempting vegan options. Here you’ll find both glazed and filled ones, with flavour combinations ranging from peanut butter and honeycomb through to turmeric and cacao. The recipe has been carefully honed over the years, and the process takes up to ten hours to get them perfect each time – with every single one a total labour of love.