Lucy receives a sponge cake delivery from Sponge.co.uk, filled with miniature cakes in a range of flavours.
Cakes were provided in return for a review
Is there anything more exciting than a sponge cake delivery? In my mind, the answer is a big fat no.
It will therefore come as no surprise to discover that I was giddy with anticipation when a DHL driver turned up clutching a box from Sponge.co.uk. Less than 24 hours after I placed my order, it was there on my doorstep.
Understandably, the driver didn’t seem keen on letting it go but, seeing the look of cake-based menace in my eyes, he handed it over in return for my signature.
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I must confess that it was all I could do not to go inside and wolf them down immediately. However, that would have meant denying all knowledge to The Chap. And I couldn’t do that. So, I did what all good grown-ups do and left the house for a few hours.
Upon opening the box that evening, when The Chap arrived home, I was delighted to find a beautifully wrapped parcel containing four baby sponge cakes. Each one was in its own little box, emblazoned with the Sponge logo and Union Jack motif.
Made in Holt in Norfolk, the company’s cakes are crafted from high-quality, local ingredients. There are more than 14 flavours available, along with a range of gluten-free options, a selection of which are below.
So, without further ado, here are my baby sponge cake reviews.
Gluten-Free Victoria Sponge
I’m going to make a bold statement: This cake delivery changed my opinion of gluten-free cake forever. Far from being dry enough to choke on, this Victoria Sponge was incredible.
Moist, light and with a golden-hued crumb, it was rich, buttery and moreish. The sponge-to-buttercream ratio was bang on too. There was enough to add a vanilla-y creaminess to the cake, but it didn’t overwhelm the zingy, bright strawberry jam.
The Chap and I were so surprised by how good it was, we have gone so far as to order one for a coeliac friend’s birthday.
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Lightly fruited and delicately spiced, this gluten-free cake was a revelation.
Although not quite as moist as the Victoria Sponge, it was still delicious and I would never have noticed it was gluten-free.
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The sponge was peppered with chunks of walnut, adding variety and texture to the cake. The cream cheese frosting complimented each mouthful, balancing the spiciness of the cake with a mellow creaminess.
Chocolate-Orange Sponge
Alas, this sponge did not look mighty happy when I removed it from its wrapping. Having been slightly squashed in the post, the marbled effect of the chocolate and the orange cake mixes was a little lost when I put it on the plate.
Thankfully, it still tasted great. It was a bit like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange in cake form. Citrus and zingy, the orange flavour brightened the chocolate.
Unfortunately, it was a little dry, but I have found that is often the case with chocolate cake (why is that?!). It was, however, helped along by a generous spread of rich buttercream filling, which I could eat by the bucketload.
Apple-Crumble Sponge
I’ve saved my personal favourite until last.
The cinnamon-spiked sponge was light and fluffy and topped with sweet, stewed apple chunks. This was, in turn, covered with a sugary, crunchy crumb.
It was seriously good. I’m not kidding when I say that I was considering getting some custard to go with it.
The sweet of the apples combined with the spice of the sponge in a way that I loved.
I’m now off to order the rest of the range… Enjoy!
