From catloafs to unicorn burger buns, meet Britain's most innovative baker

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From catloafs to unicorn burger buns, meet Britain's most innovative baker

By Stylist Team

10 years ago

In this baker's world, tiger bread and pretty cupcakes are child's play. 

Lou Lou P, a bread and cake maker in Leeds is a magician when she steps into kitchen transforming loafs into animal characters and recreating iconic film scenes in sponge. 

Last week she took the internet by storm with her 'catloafs' - a loaf of bread shaped like a cat.

“I’m cat mad. I have five moggies of my own, all rescue kitties,” the creator told ABC News.

“I love the ‘catloaf’ expression" she said, referring to when a cat tucks its paws under its body, hence looking like a loaf of bread. "So one evening I just had to see if I could bake it for real. Thus catloaf was born, simple as that.” She also shared a step-by-step guide to making a catloaf at home.

But Lou Lou P has even more impressive bakes under her belt.

We take a look at some of her highlights below...

She transforms breads into furry friends

When Lou Lou was challenged to make a 'Pugloaf', she nailed it. It's complete with adorable pool-like eyes and a sticking out tongue. 

We always thought a burger was all about what you fill it with, but that was until we saw these Unicorn Burger Buns, which feature a rainbow mane and tail and a gold horn.

At Christmas, Lou Lou's shortbreads were designed as wide-eyed, smiling sloths that hang from mugs. 

She supports the depressed cake movement

It's not unusual to find a sad face or grey icing in Lou Lou's creations. She's a firm supporter of The Depressed Cake Movement, which is a worldwide grass roots campaign that is committed to raising awareness and challenging stereotypes of mental health issues by baking and selling beautiful yet dark sweet treats.

In addition to her widely popular Crestfallen Cannoli (above), Lou Lou got in touch with webcomic Robot Hugs - which famously talks about living with mental illness through a charming illustrations - to recreate one of their most successful strips in cake. 

"I find the work of Robot Hugs, so charming and just so 'right'. My absolute favourite is the cartoon 'Nest'," she said. "I wrote to Robot Hugs asking permission to cake 'Nest' for the Depressed Cake Shop and to my delight they thought it was a great idea."

She makes feminist statements in cake

When Lou Lou P heard about a rape victim who suffered from mental health issues and whose case was unfairly investigated by police, she produced this powerful cupcake. 

"Undoubtedly cake is not the right medium for expressing my total despair at the way a mentally unwell 17 year old rape victim has been treated," she wrote on Facebook.

"However after hearing her story on the radio earlier I felt compelled to make something for Depressed Cake Shop to highlight how women and girls, especially those who experience mental illness, are left open to sexual exploitation and abuse, and ultimately how they are then faced with the indignity of being disbelieved. This is the UK 2015, what the hell is going on?"

Similarly, when Madonnna tumbled and fell during her performance at the Brit Awards earlier this year due to a wardrobe malfunction, Lou Lou fired up her kitchen and created this tribute to the relentless and fierce star.

She's not afraid to get gruesome and gory

Lou Lou goes against the grain of pretty baking trends. She regularly creates iconic scenes from hit thriller and horror films with sweet ingredients.

For Easter, she combined her love of the film Alien with an iconic Cadbury's Creme Egg. "Well I've just seen my first Creme Egg of the year!" she wrote.

To celebrate 40 years since the release of Jaws, she brought a  Müller Crunch Corner to life...

And she produced a gothic take on the classic ring doughnut, featuring the scary little girl from The Ring

Her sweet treats also have a wicked sense of humour

"I bought a Twix earlier. Haven't they changed? wink emoticon. Handpainted The Shining Scary Twins Twix"

"Sunday nights just aren't the same without Poldark and his scythe" she said of this year's hit BBC period drama.

View more of Lou Lou P's work at facebook.com/missinsomniatulip

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