When it comes to supermarket party cakes, taste and quality can vary wildly. We tested a range of options to find the best—and worst—for your next celebration.
The Top Pick
Waitrose Over the Rainbow Cake (£18, serves 16) earned four stars for its delicious vanilla buttercream, moist sponge, and lower sugar content (39.2%). It contains eight additives and glucose-fructose syrup, but uses free-range eggs and is palm oil–free.
Best Bargain
The Bakery at Asda Rainbow Jazzie Cake (£15, serves 20) is the cheapest option at just 75p per serving. It has a fluffy sponge and classic sweet icing, but the icing was described as "greasy, flavourless and bland." It contains six additives and the least total sugars (33%), but is not suitable for vegetarians.
The Rest of the Bunch
- M&S Rainbow Layer Cake (£20, serves 8) – Four stars. Tall, pastel layers with silky Madagascan vanilla buttercream. Only five additives, no palm oil.
- Lola's Vanilla Layer Cake (£27.50, serves 8) – Three stars. Elegant sponge with a tart compote centre, but 12 additives including titanium dioxide and propylene glycol.
- Fiona Cairns Mini Pink Boutique Cake (£9, serves 4) – Three stars. Moist sponge with raspberry jam, but 44% sugar—the sweetest in the test.
- Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Rainbow Layer Cake (£18.50, serves 10) – Three stars. Tall and moist with balanced vanilla icing, but very sweet (42.1% sugar) and contains palm oil.
- Lidl Rowan Hill Bakery Madeira Party Cake (£4.79, serves 16) – Two stars. Good value, but includes eight additives and glucose-fructose syrup.
- Tesco Vanilla Party Cake (£10, serves 16) – Two stars. Affordable but heavily processed with multiple emulsifiers and preservatives.
All cakes were scored on appearance, taste, texture, value, certifications, animal welfare, and sugar content. None were free from additives, but some stood out for better ingredients and flavour.