Testers answer the ultimate cooking question: Which is the best caterpillar cake in the UK?

Any party you’ve been to in the past 10 years probably featured a caterpillar cake.

Now, researchers have answered the ultimate question: Which is best?

M&S’s Colin the Caterpillar and Aldi’s Cuthbert the Caterpillar are likely to hit the headlines in recent years after M&S accused Aldi of copying its designs.

But consumer watchdog Which? conducted a blind taste test. Discover the Co-op’s Charlie the Caterpillar is the best cake – beating all rivals with its “ultimate combination” of chocolate, sponge and cream.

Co-op’s Charlie, which costs £8 for 660g, has a 72% rating from testers and a coveted ‘Best Buy’ recommendation.

Which? Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services, said the cake “wows” tasters: “As well as being affordable, the Co-op’s Charlie the Caterpillar has a rich chocolate flavor and Lots of cream.”

Marks & Spencer’s Colin came in second, scoring 71% for its “excellent sponge and delicious chocolate flavour”.

It’s also given a Best Buy recommendation, although at £8.50 for 625g it’s the pricier of the first two options.

M&S took Aldi to court in 2021 after it accused the budget rival of copying Colin’s for its own Cuthbert.the two of them A settlement was reached a year later.

Joint third place was Morris the Caterpillar from Morrisons and Wiggles the Caterpillar Cake from Sainsbury’s.

Morris (624g, £7.50) won 70%, but testers found the sponge “a bit disappointing”, while Wiggles (627g, £7.50) lacked “much-needed moistness” and some tasters thought the chocolate shell was too thin .

Waitrose creation – Cecil the Caterpillar (720g, £8.50) – scored 69%, with testers liking the chocolate flavour, sweetness and thickness of the shell, but also feeling it was too spongy compared to the cream .

Aldi’s Cuthbert is the cheapest option at £5.49 for 625g and received 68% positive reviews, with some tasters finding the sponge too dry, although Which? said it was a good choice for a budget birthday cake.

Tied with Aldi was Tesco’s caterpillar cake (648g, £7.50), which was criticized for being “too dry” and lacking cream.

Asda’s Letty (615g, £7.50) came last with a score of 67%, with tasters concerned about its light chocolate taste and dry sponginess.

Nicole Tallant, head of food at the Co-op, said: “We’re delighted Which? has settled the great caterpillar cake debate and named the Co-op the best on the high street for the second time cake.

“We’re passionate about making great-tasting products and we know our co-op members and customers love Charlie’s, so it’s great to receive this recognition.”