Several weeks ago a PR company asked me what they could do to get me talking about the Just Love Food Company's nut free birthday cake. I replied that my birthday was coming up and so they could send me a cake -- that would get me talking about it!
A little forward of me? Possibly, so I was not completely surprised when I did not hear anything. However, three weeks later, and a week after my birthday, the birthday cake arrived! We invited friends round for a taste test and the verdict was that had been worth the wait.
The cake, produced by the Just Love Food Company, is one of a range of nut free cakes being launched in the UK to provide a solution for parents of children with nut allergies -- an allergy that affects one in 55 children. The idea for a nut free cake came from the company's managing director, Mike Woods, who had struggled to find a suitable birthday cake for his two children who both have nut allergies.
We thought the strawberry sponge cake was gorgeous and tasted no different from a cake that contains nuts. In fact, none of our miniature team of taste-testers guessed that it was nut free. For children with nut allergies who struggle to find a birthday cake to share with their friends, this seems the perfect solution. We certainly gave it the thumbs up.
Out of a possible ten stars, we awarded it eight. If it had been chocolate, it would have been given a nine. If it had come accompanied by balloons, a birthday banner, a bottle of champagne and a very expensive present, it would have been given a ten*
The cakes come in two designs -- a monster cake and a princess cake and are available in Sainsbury's stores nationwide priced at £8.99. Highly recommended!
*Possibly pushing my luck slightly!
It sounds pretty good. I don't normally like strawberry/buttercream sponges, especially not the supermarket ones which are always dry and horrible, but you may have tempted me!
Posted by: Liz (LivingwithKids) | April 23, 2010 at 07:36 PM
Normally I'd go for chocolate cake, Liz, but this was surprisingly nice. Not dry at all. It's a while since I've had a cake for my birthday that says 'Have a monster birthday' on it and it made me younger than my years! All adults should have kids' cakes I reckon.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | April 23, 2010 at 07:45 PM
That looks like one lovely cake. I'm hungry now. I can imagine that it would be difficult for mums with kids that are allergic to find one without any traces. Great post. x
Posted by: Susan Mann | April 23, 2010 at 08:39 PM
Thanks, Susan. It must be awful for a child with a nut allergy to have no cake on their birthday, and the symptoms for these children if they eat nuts can be frightening.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | April 23, 2010 at 09:18 PM
Great idea, I love birthday cake.
I wish they would start making gluten free birthday cakes now too though. I always feel sorry for my son not being able to have a 'professional' one.
Posted by: Nova | April 23, 2010 at 09:51 PM
Hopefully, if they are making nut free birthday cakes then it is only a matter of time before someone sees the gap in the market for a gluten free one. Must be awful for your son.
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | April 24, 2010 at 11:14 AM