Britain's favourite cake has been revealed and it's not Victoria sponge

Marie-Claire Dorking
·Contributor
Updated ·4-min read
Britain's favourite cake might come a a surprise to some. (Getty Images)
The favourite cake in Britain might come as a surprise to some. (Getty Images)

Move over Victoria sponge, Britain's favourite cake has been crowned and the winner may be a surprise for some.

If there’s one thing us Brits like, it’s cake. From a rich chocolate, to a sticky lemon drizzle or a classic fruit, there's little better than sitting down to a slice of cake and a cup of tea.

But everyone has their favourite sweet bake, so which one came out on top?

Turns out, the nation's best-loved cake actually the humble cheesecake, beating off stiff competition from British classics such as lemon drizzle and Victoria sponge.

While Madeira, walnut and chocolate fudge cake all came in the top 40 most popular cakes, a study of 2,000 Brits saw cheesecake scoop the top spot with 37% of the vote.

Chocolate cake took second place, ahead of the classic Victoria sponge.

Other varieties of bake to make the list were Battenberg and Christmas cake, as well as fondant fancies, spotted dick (more of a pudding, no?), apple cake and flapjacks.

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The humble cheesecake has been voted Britain's favourite cake. (Getty Images)
The humble cheesecake has been voted Britain's favourite cake. (Getty Images)

The research, commissioned by Dr. Oetker Baking, also highlighted our love of the quintessentially British pastime, revealing that a third of Brits don their aprons to bake at home at least once a month.

And nearly four in 10 plan to bake for the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend, opting to whip up a classic Victoria sponge in honour of the Queen.

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The research, conducted via OnePoll, also found the average adult will consume a delicious 72 portions of cake every year.

Special occasions (46%), including birthdays, Christmas and weddings, emerged as the most popular popular time for some celebratory home baking and to indulge in a sweet treat.

But 41% will tuck into a slice of baked deliciousness just because they fancy something sweet. And why the heck not?

The nation's favourite cake has been crowned and it isn't a Victoria Sponge. (Getty Images)
The nation's favourite cake has been crowned and it isn't a Victoria Sponge. (Getty Images)

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In true British style, 42% think an English breakfast tea is the best drink to serve up with your favourite home bake, followed by coffee (38%) and hot chocolate (18%).

"Baking is great fun, and you don’t have to be an expert to get creative in the kitchen," Jen Brown, head of cake (we want your job!) at Dr. Oetker, said of the findings.

"Something like a Victoria sponge or Jubilee-themed cupcakes is a great starting point," she added, "both are simple but effective and offer a wonderful way to pay tribute to the Queen.

"They’re also ideal bakes to make with friends or family, or simply as an activity to enjoy alone as a little ‘me-time’."

Some iconic pictures of the Queen from each decade of her 70 year-reign have been made entirely from cake. (SWNS)
Some iconic pictures of the Queen from each decade of her 70 year-reign have been made entirely from cake. (SWNS)

To celebrate cheesecake being crowned the nation’s favourite cake and in honour of the Platinum Jubilee, Dr Oetker has recreated iconic pictures of the Queen from each decade of her 70 year-reign made entirely from cake, using cake ingredients and decorations.

Each cake portrait was made from a different style of cake that was fashionable during the era pictured.

Prudence Staithe, the food artist behind the masterpieces, said: “Baking gives you a world of opportunity to get creative and best of all, it’s great fun, especially when it comes to decorating and designing your topping.

“The Queen is an icon and the eight bakes that were displayed show how interesting her reign has been as well as how much the nation’s taste in cakes has developed.”

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Each cake portrait was made from a different style of cake that was fashionable during the era pictured. (SWNS)
Each cake portrait was made from a different style of cake that was fashionable during the era pictured. (SWNS)

Britains top 40 favourite flavours of cakes and bakes:

1. Cheesecake

2. Chocolate

3. Victoria sponge

4. Lemon drizzle cake

5. Doughnuts

6. Carrot cake

7. Chocolate fudge cake

8. Brownies

9. Sticky toffee pudding

10. Chocolate log

11. Millionaires/Caramel shortbread

12. Coffee and walnut cake

13. Fruit cake

14. Black forest cake

15. Christmas cake

16. Flapjack

17. Blueberry muffin

18. Battenberg

19. Chocolate and salted caramel

20. Jam roly poly

21. Fairy cakes

22. Jamaican ginger cake

23. Apple cake

24. Banana bread

25. Banana cake

26. White chocolate and raspberry cake

27. Red velvet cake

28. Golden syrup cake

29. Fondant fancy

30. Madeira loaf

31. Marble cake

32. Spotted dick

33. Banana and walnut loaf

34. Pineapple upside down

35. Lemon and coconut cake

36. Rock cake

37. Rainbow cake

38. Blondies

39. Mud cake

40. Vegan chocolate and salted caramel

Additional reporting SWNS.

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