On Air Now Non-Stop Music Midnight - 6:00am Strike - U Sure Do Schedule

Testers Answer The Ultimate Culinary Question: Which Is The UK's Best Caterpillar Cake?

Charlie the caterpillar has been judged the best in a Which? taste test. Pic: Co-op

Any party you've been to over the last 10 years is likely to have featured a caterpillar cake.

Now, researchers have answered the ultimate question: which is the best?

Marks and Spencer's Colin the caterpillar and Aldi's Cuthbert the caterpillar might have been the cakes in the headlines in recent years, after M&S accused Aldi of copying its design.

But a blind taste test by consumer watchdog Which? has found that the Co-op's Charlie the caterpillar is the best cake - edging out all competitors with its "ultimate combination" of chocolate, sponge and buttercream.

The Co-op's Charlie, at a cost of £8 for 660g, was given a 72% score and a coveted "best buy" recommendation by the testers.

Which? said the cake had "wowed" tasters, with head of home products and services Natalie Hitchins saying:

"As well as being budget-friendly, Co-op's Charlie the caterpillar had a rich chocolate flavour and plentiful amount of buttercream".

Marks & Spencer's Colin was placed second, given 71% for its "superior sponge and delicious chocolatey flavour".

It was also given a "best buy" recommendation, although at £8.50 for 625g, it is the pricier of the top two options.

M&S took Aldi to court in 2021 over a long-running dispute in which it accused the budget rival of copying Colin for its own Cuthbert. The two agreed a settlement a year later.

Tying for third place were Morris the caterpillar from Morrisons and Wiggles the caterpillar cake from Sainsbury's.

Morris (£7.50 for 624g) won 70% but testers found the sponge "a little disappointing" while Wiggles (£7.50 for 627g) lacked "much-needed moistness" and some tasters thought the chocolate shell was too thin.

Waitrose's effort - Cecil the caterpillar (£8.50 for 720g) - scored 69%, with testers enjoying the chocolate flavour, sweetness and thickness of the chocolate shell, but also feeling there was too much sponge compared with buttercream.

Aldi's Cuthbert, the cheapest option at £5.49 for 625g, was given 68%, with some tasters finding the sponge too dry, although Which? said it was not a bad choice for a budget birthday cake.

Tying with Aldi's score was Tesco's Slinky the Caterpillar Cake (£7.50 for 648g), criticised for being "too dry" and lacking buttercream.

Asda's Letty (£7.50 for 615g) came last with a score of 67%, with tasters concerned about its weak chocolate flavour and dry sponge.

Nicole Tallant, Co-op's head of delicious food, said:

"We're thrilled that Which? has settled the big caterpillar cake debate and named Co-op as being the best tasting on the high street for the second time.

"We're passionate about making delicious products and we know our Co-op members and customers love Charlie so it's great to get this recognition."

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2024: Testers answer the ultimate culinary question: Which is the UK's best caterpillar cake?

More from Sussex News

Your News

It’s easy to get in touch with the More Radio News team.

Add you phone number if you would like us to call you back