The Victoria Sponge Cake has been declared an undisputed winner for the title of most iconic bake for the 70-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II. In a survey of 1000 consumers undertaken by Mason Cash, the classic cake gained 77.7% of votes.
Trifle came a distant second place, with 7.5% of votes, followed by Carrot Cake (4.2%), Lemon drizzle cake (3.7%), Cheesecake (2.75%), Black Forest Gateau – (1.9%), Cupcakes (0.95%) and Tray Bakes (0.66%). Banana Bread – the lockdown favourite – gained a mere 0.57% of the vote.
“As a nation of cake lovers, it’s no surprise that we hold a number of British bakes in high regard,” comments Mason Cash brand manager Rachel Dunleavy at The Rayware Group. “Our tastes for cake may have changed over the years, but it’s comforting to see a firm royal favourite like the Victoria sponge is regarded as the most iconic British bake. “
Mason Cash also used its survey data – along with search data and historical evidence – to create a list of the most iconic bakes for each decade of the Queen’s reign, starting with the Carrot Cake for the 1950s.
The 1960s is, of course, represented by The Victoria Sponge, followed by the Black Forest Gateau for the 1970s and Trifle for the 1980s. The Tray Bake was popular in the 1990s while Luxury Cupcakes rose to supremacy in the 2000s. Lemon Drizzzle is the sweet treat of the 2010s and the Cheesecake has made a comeback for the 2020s.
Top: 1960s top bake and all-time classic: the Victoria Sponge, as illustrated by Mason Cash, whose mixing bowls have been a baker’s staple for the Queen’s 70-year reign.
