Jaffa cakes are a classic treat, but which supermarket version comes out on top?
I compared a selection of Jaffa cakes(Image: Mia O’Hare)
There’s a longstanding argument over whether Jaffa cakes should truly be classified as biscuits or cakes. The debate can provoke contrasting views and never appears to reach a conclusion.
Yet, another matter is which Jaffa cake is best. McVitie’s remains the most well-known branded choice with its Jaffa Cakes, while numerous major UK supermarkets also stock their own versions.
They can vary in both flavour and cost. I opted to test a range of supermarket Jaffa cakes to determine whether any could surpass the brand. I selected packets from Aldi, Lidl, Marks and Spencer and Asda, and was taken aback by what I found.
Lidl – £1.69 for 24
Lidl’s Jaffa cake looked a bit sad when I opened the box, as it was very flat compared to the others. Despite finishing at the bottom of my rankings, the taste wasn’t bad at all. It was much better than I expected, having judged it too soon. The Jaffa cake had a pleasant flavour, combining the dark chocolate and orange with sponge.
My criticism is that, because of its size, I was left wanting more. I could have easily tucked into more, yet a good Jaffa cake would leave me content.
Rating: 6/10
Marks and Spencer – £2.10 for 11
Next up was Marks and Spencer. Its Jaffa cakes were a very different shape from the others, as they were rectangular. They were also somewhat flatter than the higher-ranking ones and felt smaller. Marks and Spencer’s Jaffa Cakes had a very nice orange flavour that was sharp and crisp.
You certainly got an orange tang when eating, which I enjoyed. It’s a solid yet slightly alternative choice that couldn’t sway me away from the higher-ranked options.
Rating: 8/10
McVitie’s – £1.25 from Asda for 10
The branded Jaffa Cakes are always an ideal choice and are a classic for a reason. For me, it has a perfect balance of flavours, with a soft sponge and a chocolatey crunch. The orange is light and citrusy.
Rating: 9/10
Aldi – £1.69 for 24
In a joint spot with McVitie’s, Aldi features here, as its Jaffa cakes were indistinguishable from the branded ones. They were much thicker than many of the other Jaffa cakes tested. The biggest point is that they tasted and looked identical to the brand, so they scored the same.
Rating: 9/10
Asda – £1 for 12
My winner is Asda, as the Jaffa cake fully surprised me when I tasted it. It looked the same as the McVitie’s and Aldi’s versions, yet had so much more flavour. There is a very generous layer of orange filling that isn’t just a circle in the middle. It is filled right to the edge of the sponge and covered in a tasty dark chocolate. The Jaffa cake is light and fluffy with a stronger, tastier flavour that I am now swayed and won’t go back to McVitie’s.
Rating: 10/10
