WHEN it comes to cake, the nation likes it to be both sweet and sour – as lemon drizzle is our favourite.
The teatime treat is more popular than ever thanks to the Queen’s upcoming Platinum Jubilee.
The monarch’s dessert of choice is a lemon posset, which was served at her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947 and throughout their 73-year marriage.
But if you do not fancy making your own lemon drizzle, the supermarkets are well stocked.
Emma Pietras taste tests eight cakes and reveals which is the best of the zest.
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Asda Baker’s Selection Lemon Loaf Cake, £1.25
THE little sugar crystals on top make for an appealing look. But it’s quite small and your neighbours might be a little underwhelmed if you bring this to a party.
It does have a real traditional zesty smell, though, and brings back fond childhood memories of the waft of delicious citrus that would fill the kitchen whenever my mum was baking her lemon drizzle cake.
Slicing into it, it feels a bit dense. You’d definitely need a glass of fizz to help wash it down.
4/10
Aldi Hand-Finished Lemon Cake, £1.85
THIS cake is small but perfectly formed and will look cute on a trestle table.
The beautiful lemony smell is so enticing and I can’t wait to get stuck in.
This tastes so good and the lemon curd filling really packs a punch, helping to offset the sweetness.
The sponge could be a little more moist. You can’t argue with the price, though.
6/10
Co-op Irresistible Hand-Finished Lemon Cake, £3
THE decoration on this one is beautiful. I just want to devour it. There’s a lovely, subtle lemon scent to the cake.
The Sicilian lemon drizzle topping tastes divine.
The sharp punch of lemon cuts through the sugar. The sponge is moist, too.
This one will certainly make you popular at a street party and is a good bronze medallist.
8/10
Waitrose Lemon Drizzle Cake, £3.25
WHAT this lacks in size, it makes up for in lemon drizzle icing. This will certainly satisfy any sugar cravings.
There isn’t much of a citrus scent but there is a real crunch from the sugar when you slice the cake.
The sponge is nice and has a decent tang. This is a good cake but I’d say some of the cheaper options give you more bang for your buck.
5/10
Tesco’s Finest Lemon Drizzle Cake, £2.75
THIS is another small, simple cake with lemon drizzle icing which gives a satisfying crunch.
The smell is a little underwhelming but the sponge is amazing.
The lemon buttercream and curd filling is heavenly.
If this were Bake Off, Paul Hollywood would be reaching out for a handshake.
10/10
Marks & Spencer Lemon Drizzle Cake, £3
THE lemon juice icing decoration makes this stand out. It looks neat and would be appealing on a cake stand.
It doesn’t give off much of a smell, which is disappointing. What it lacks in aroma, it makes up for in taste, though.
The icing really packs a punch and “makes my tabs laugh”, as they say in the Midlands.
The sponge is quite robust but beautifully moist.
7/10
Lidl Deluxe Hand-Finished Lemon Drizzle Cake, £1.85
THIS is not quite a showstopper, but appearances can be deceiving.
Not only does it smell amazing, it is absolutely drenched in lemon drizzle, making the sponge so moist.
Yet, there’s still a nice crunch of sugar when you slice into it.
The lemon buttercream filling is scrumptious. This is definitely a close second.
9/10
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Morrisons The Best Hand-Decorated Lemon Cake, £2.75
THIS lovely little cake has a rustic feel to it.
It’s decorated with lemon drizzle and candied lemon pieces, which are a nice touch.
The scent is quite subtle.
It has the right balance of flavours, not too sweet and not too sharp.
I really like the lemon buttercream filling and the sponge is great, just moist enough.
8/10
