Coccole sells £4 tiramisu jars from an old NatWest cash machine on Holloway Road

Coccole, a tiny dessert window on Holloway Road, is selling traditional Italian tiramisu for £4 a jar from the narrow unit where a NatWest cash machine once stood.

The business belongs to a baker called Francesco, who passes his desserts across in small glass jars straight onto the pavement. The unit used to belong to a bank. Today his kitchen and serving counter fill exactly the space the ATM once took up.

He hopes its past will work in his favour. “This space used to be the cash point machine, so hopefully it’s going to bring some luck,” he said.

Coccole is the Italian word for “cuddle”, a reference to the comforting desserts he makes himself.

Tiramisu flavours and prices at Coccole

Francesco works from his grandmother’s original recipe. He makes and fills every jar inside the unit, and each one costs £4. The jars are small enough to carry, so the tiramisu can be eaten on the move.

The classic coffee version is sold next to newer takes, including pistachio, toffee, almond and blueberry. Each has the smooth, creamy texture of the desserts sold on Italian streets.

Pasticciotto on Holloway Road

The window also sells pasticciotto, a bake usually eaten for breakfast in Italy. Coccole’s version starts with a buttery shortcrust pastry case filled with custard and cherry jam. Cocoa is dusted over the top before a generous spoonful of the shop’s own mascarpone cream goes on. It is on sale all day.

The serving hatch opens directly onto the street, and the old bank front now sells fresh Italian sweets every day.