Back in September, Sainsbury's launched a new "home baking" product called Cuppa Cake - well, home baking is maybe a slight push as there is actually no baking involved. You just zap it in the microwave for 90 seconds. What do you mean you're not convinced ? Well, OK, maybe I was a bit dubious too which is probably why it's been in the cupboard ever since !
But in the Christmas holidays, when the kids were getting restless and hungry for something sweet, I thought it was the perfect time for trying it out. Inside the box you get two sachets so that you can make two cakes, but we only made one.
It couldn't be easier to prepare. You just beat an egg in a mug, add a spoonful of water, mix in the Cuppa Cake mix and ... that's it ! It's so simple that 10-year-old Sophie managed it all by herself.
Even she was a bit dubious before it went in the microwave and asked, "Is it supposed to look like this, Mum ?"! Hmm time will tell !
Well, 90 seconds later, we all had to eat our hats ... or at least the Cuppa Cake ! It had risen up and turned into cake ! Amazing !
The serving guide recommends half a cake per person - be warned that it's quite heavy on the calories with half a cake containing 250 calories, which surprised me ! - but I split our cake three ways for the kids and they had a quite reasonable serving each. Half a cake corresponds to about the size of an average muffin.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating and they all actually liked it. It's not light and fluffy like proper cake but what you expect from something that only takes 90 seconds to prepare ?!
It's a bit rubbery and reminded me more of the texture of chocolate pudding than sponge cake. The box says that it needs to be eaten hot and I can see why as it probably goes really hard and rubbery when cold. (I wouldn't know as ours disappeared off the plates and into eager mouths way before it had the chance to go cold !) I think it would be lovely with a scoop of ice cream or some cream or custard.
It won't win any Women's Institue cake competitions but for a fun bit of "baking" in the kitchen with the kids or an instant dessert when you are craving comfort food or the kids wan't an instant sweet treat, it does the job perfectly. If you work in an office, you could seriously impress your colleagues by knocking up a chocolate cake in your tea break too !
star rating : 4/5
RRP : 99p for two sachets
for more information : http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/groceries/index.jsp
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Not sure i would like this - kids probably would though - anything chocolate goes down well in my house!
ReplyDeleteThis looks very different worth trying and would serve with ice cream
ReplyDelete@needaphone I love the looks of this x
ReplyDeleteAlmost chemistry rather than cooking!
ReplyDeleteHow novel ! My two nephews would love to have a go these , I'll be sure to put it on my shopping list next week !
ReplyDelete@CRYSTALmse
x
This sounds brilliant! "You just zap it in the microwave for 90 seconds" - my kind of baking lol! :D I bet this would be nice with chocolate flavoured custard, yum! Will look out for it :)
ReplyDeleteGreat for a nice quick chocolate fix
ReplyDelete