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*Prices correct at time of last page review
The humble caterpillar cake has garnered a lot of attention in recent years, leading to every supermarket chucking their metaphorical caterpillar into the cocoon. But, are any of these giving the OG caterpillar, M&S’ Colin, stiff competition, or is Colin still on top?
We spent some time researching all of the caterpillar cakes sold by the UK’s top supermarkets to establish which one offers the best value for money, taking into account the price per slice and the reviews left by consumers. Once we’ve determined which caterpillar cake is the best value for money, we’ll get it in our shop and see how it compares to the much-loved M&S Colin.
Marks & Spencer – Colin the Caterpillar
Back in 1990, Marks and Spencer introduced Colin the Caterpillar, a playful, friendly-faced chocolate roll cake to the British public. Over the past three decades, Colin has cemented itself as a party cake staple. It’s instantly recognisable and when it comes to taste, let’s just say, there’s a reason it’s popular. You can also opt for Arctic Colin, which is just a frozen version with the same cheeky face.
As we’re looking at best value for money and comparing other supermarket’s offerings to Colin, let’s get some benchmark numbers. You buy Colin the Caterpillar online through M&S stockist Ocado, with a four star rating, and the prices are the same in-store at M&S.
- Price: £9.50
- Recommended servings: 10
- Price per slice: £0.95
The competition caterpillar cakes
Waitrose – Cecil the Caterpillar
First up in our caterpillar value competition is Waitrose’s Cecil the Caterpillar for £9.50. Cecil is the same price as Colin, but it does have a higher serving count. Cecil’s overall star rating matches Colin’s with an impressive four stars.
- Price: £9.50
- Recommended servings: 12
- Price per slice: £0.79
Aldi – Cuthbert Caterpillar Cake
Our reigning king of best value (check out our barbecuing for a family of four for under a tenner comparison), Aldi is the instigator of the caterpillar wars. Back in 2019, Aldi launched Cuthbert and battled with M&S over trademark infringements – remember the #FreeCuthbert Twitter campaign?
Despite all of that, Cuthbert remains on Aldi’s shelves, and takes the best value crown. When we first published this article at the end of May, Cuthbert cost £6.99, a whole fifty pence less than it does a month later in July.
- Price: £7.49
- Recommended servings: 12
- Price per slice: £0.62
Sainsbury’s – Wiggles the Caterpillar
Next up, we’ve got Sainsbury’s chocolate roll cake: Wiggles. Of the caterpillars in this roundup, Sainsbury’s promises the most servings, at an ambitious 14. With its back adorned with sprinkles, let’s take a look at how Wiggles’ value measures up. Like Colin and Cecil, Wiggles has an impressive four star rating.
- Price: £8.50
- Recommended servings: 14
- Price per slice: £0.60
Tesco – Slinky the Caterpillar
On Tesco’s shelves, you’ll find the 3 ½ starred, orange-faced Slinky Caterpillar Cake, whose body can be sliced into 12… according to the packet. We know full well all of these caterpillars won’t be cut into their recommended portions.
- Price: £8.50
- Recommended servings: 12
- Price per slice: £0.70
Asda – Letty the Caterpillar
Similar to Tesco, Waitrose, and Aldi, Asda’s Letty the Caterpillar serves 12. Its smiley green face adds to the colourful assortment of caterpillar faces on this list: not as cream as Colin, but not as garish as Slinky’s bright orange. And customers are clearly fans, as Letty has a four star rating.
- Price: £8.48
- Recommended servings: 12
- Price per slice: £0.70
Morrisons – Morris the Caterpillar
With its low 2 ½ star rating, Morris the Caterpillar trails behind its four star competitors. When it comes to value, Morris is neither the best or the worst and falls unceremoniously into a mid-table position.
- Price: £8.50
- Recommended servings: 12
- Price per slice: £0.71
Co-op – Charlie Chocolate Cake
While styled like a caterpillar, Co-op doesn’t directly call Charlie a specific type of insect. Despite Co-op being ambiguous about what Charlie is, we’re including it on this roundup. Co-op’s Party Time Charlie Chocolate Cake is another 12 serving affair, and with its £8.50 price tag, matches Tesco’s price per slice.
- Price: £8.50
- Recommended servings: 12
- Price per slice: £0.70
Which supermarket caterpillar cake offers best value for money?
The original caterpillar, Colin, will cost you £0.95 per slice and is the most expensive cake on this list. Using M&S’ Colin the Caterpillar as a benchmark – it is the top critter, after all – Sainsbury’s Wiggles is its best value challenger, costing just sixty pence per slice.
When we originally published this article in May, Cuthbert took the best value crown, costing £0.58 per slice. Since then, Cuthbert has increased in price to £0.62 per slice and Wiggles has taken its place.
Now we know the best value, it’s time for us to put Colin and Wiggles head-to-head in a group, blind taste test. Watch this space.
