I tried supermarket own-brand teacakes - a bargain treat beat Warburtons by a mile
SPARKS flew last weekend when a customer at an M&S cafe was told toasted teacakes were only sold only at breakfast time - but which supermarket does them best?
The baked sweet buns, made with spices and dried currants or sultanas, are usually served cut in half, toasted and buttered.
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Traditionally served at afternoon tea or as a snack with a cuppa, more recently they have been served with coffee in the morning.
But one customer was furious when she couldn't get her teacake treat after 11am.
After a number of Twitter complaints, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin agreed toasted teacakes would now be back on the all-day menu.
But if you want to try a teacake at home, at a fraction of the pirce, which are the best you can buy?
Read more consumer tests
We asked Lynsey Hope, 41, from West Malling, Kent, to try out a range and share her verdict:
Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Extra Fruity Teacakes
- £1.70 for four
- 42p per teacake
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Lynsey says: "Appearance wise, these looked the most appetising.
"They had a lovely sugary glaze and I couldn't wait to tuck in.
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"They were a good size - two halves was almost too much to eat as a snack - but they were incredibly delicious.
"The best of all I tasted. I'd never been a big fan of teacakes before trying these, now I can't get enough. Yum, yum."
- TASTE: 10/10
- VALUE: 7/10
- OVERALL: 9/10
Warburtons Fruity Teacakes
- £1.20 for four
- 30p per teacake
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Lynsey says: "A big brand but they don't know how to do teacakes.
"Hardly any fruit and I was left feeling 'meh, wouldn't bother next time'. Dry. Tasteless.
"What I'd call 'Not so fruity' teacakes."
- TASTE: 2/10
- VALUE: 3/10
- OVERALL: 2/10
M&S Luxury Teacakes
- £1.20 for two
- 60p per teacake
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Lynsey says: "M&S caused this debacle over teacakes - are they for breakfast or afternoon tea?
"I could lap these up any time of day so great they are back on the M&S cafe menu.
"Even better, buy yourself a pack and eat them whenever you get the urge at home.
"You won't be disappointed with these ones from M&S, even if they are a little pricey."
- TASTE: 7/10
- VALUE: 6/10
- OVERALL: 7/10
Waitrose Richly Fruited Teacakes
- £1.20 for two
- 60p per teacake
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Lynsey says: "A generous size, these are indeed 'richly fruited'.
"They tasted like a hot cross bun, quite sweet for breakfast and definitely nicer as an afternoon snack.
"Not my favourite, but no complaints at all."
- TASTE: 6/10
- VALUE: 5/10
- OVERALL: 5/10
Asda Just Essentials Teacakes
- 79p for four
- 19p per teacake
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Lynsey says: "The best teacakes, soft, full of fruit and fresh.
"I loved these lathered in butter - whatever the time of day.
"They are smaller than some of the pricier supermarkets but I thought they were great value.
"Better than branded versions.
"At just 39p per teacake though, these are a right bargain."
- TASTE: 7/10
- VALUE: 8/10
- OVERALL: 8/10
Tesco Finest Large Teacakes
- £1.60 for four
- 40p per teacake
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Lynsey says: "Loved these. Just the right amount of spices and fruit and a good size.
"If I'd eaten them with a blindfold I would have guessed they were from M&S or Waitrose.
"I would have liked to have seen a bit more glaze on the top of the teacake but they toasted well and tasted delicious."
- TASTE: 7/10
- VALUE: 7/10
- OVERALL: 7/10
Aldi Village Bakery Fruited Teacakes
- 79p for four
- 19p per teacake
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Lynsey says: "An amazing price from Aldi for four teacakes, they had a lovely glaze and before even popping them in the toaster I could tell they would taste good.
"They were a bit of a mixed bag in terms of fruit.
"Two in the packet contained a generous amount, the other two came up a bit short.
"The same price as Asda but in terms of taste, they slightly nudge it.
"For the price, these are a real winner."
- TASTE: 10/10
- VALUE: 10/10
- OVERALL: 10/10
Morrisons Fruited Teacakes
- £1 for six
- 17p per teacake
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Lynsey says: "The winner on budget, these worked out just 17p per teacake which is an amazing price.
"They were smaller than Sainsbury's, Waitrose and M&S, but they contained a great amount of fruit and were moist and especially delicious lathered in butter.
"I'm going back for more."
- TASTE: 9/10
- VALUE: 10/10
- OVERALL: 9/10
