Global luxury guide announces Pastry Awards 2024: here's what to order at the winning Scottish bakeries

Croissants, pain au chocolat, millefeuille and pies.

We can’t think about baked goods without drooling.

For fellow fans of a perfect crumb, the meticulously-researched global gastronomic guide, La Liste, who annually publish the 1000 Best Restaurants in the World, has today announced its Pastry Awards 2024, with full results on its website and app.

Rhubarb, custard and almond cake Pic: Darcie Maher

As far as the UK goes, Scotland rose to the challenge like a well proven loaf, with an incredible 24 bakeries in the rankings.

As well as the below round-up, there has been recognition for Aran in Dunkeld, Bostock in East Linton and North Berwick; Edinburgh’s Twelve Triangles, The Palmerston, La Barantine and The Pastry Section; Glasgow’s Partenope, Two. Eight. Seven; Outlier, The Bakery by Zique, and Kaf; The Newport Bakery and Birch Cafe in Portree.

There’s also been a very special prize, the Pastry Opening of the Year Award, which has gone to Lannan in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge and its owner, Darcie Maher.

As she says; “Having been open from less than a year, it’s an honour to receive the award from La Liste for best pastry opening of the year. My life long dream has been to own my own bakery and Lannan has surpassed anything I imagined it would be. To have the recognition cements all the relentless hard work that’s gone into every aspect of the bakery up until this point”.

Darcie Maher working at Lannan Pic: @studiohartofficial @cutacross.media

Here’s what to order from the other La Liste recommendations.

FALKO, HADDINGTON (www.falko.co.uk)

This German bakehouse offers traditional cakes and tarts. Try the apple strudel or black forest gateaux. Wearing lederhosen is optional.

THE BAKEHOUSE & CRANNOG, MALLAIG (www.oldquaybakehouse.com)

Lannan Bakery interior Pic: Zac and Zac

Go for their picnic focaccias filled with jalapenos and Isle of Mull Cheddar, or sundried tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella.

HAVN, BRIDGE OF ALLAN (www.havnbakery.co.uk)

This place has only been going for 18 months. We’d like to pop in for one of their savoury pastries, including the Danish with garlic ricotta, asparagus and focaccia breadcrumbs.

THE EARTH’S CRUST BAKERY, CASTLE DOUGLAS (www.earthscrustbakery.co.uk)

We’ve got our eye on the lemon cream tart, followed by the spinach and feta pastie, or vice versa.

BAD GIRL BAKERY CAFE, MUIR OF ORD (www.badgirlbakery.co.uk)

Nigella Lawson recently recommended this bakery’s De Luxe Coconut Brownie recipe, which was featured in their eponymous cookbook, written by owner Jeni Iannetta. Let’s hope there’s a couple of those cakes on counter when we next pop by.

BANDIT BAKERY, ABERDEEN (Instagram @banditbakery)

This place is known for its sourdough and generously iced cinnamon buns. We’re also intrigued by their Norwegian-style sun buns

COTTONRAKE, GLASGOW (Instagram @cottonrake)

In common with Edinburgh’s Lannan, prepare to queue. People are more than willing to wait for gorgeous Danish pastries, vegan cookies or baklava macarons.

HOBZ BAKERY, EDINBURGH (www.hobzbakery.com)

We’re big fans of this bakery, on Leith Walk, and not only because their pastries seem a lot heftier than the average offering. They always do a great range of seasonals sweet and savoury bakes but we’re currently in the market to try one of their panela sugar buns.

BAKHOOS, FORTROSE (www.bakhoosbakery.com)

Can someone nip to the Black Isle right now and bring us back a lemon, poppyseed and olive oil financier? Much appreciated.

www.laliste.com