Top Jaffa Cake Brands: Discover the Ultimate Flavor Delights!

Jaffa cakes, a delightful fusion of sponge, jelly, and chocolate, have captivated taste buds around the globe. These unique treats have inspired numerous brands to compete for the title of best jaffa cake producer. Each brand offers its own twist on this classic snack, promising flavors that range from the traditional orange to exotic variations. Discover which brands stand out in quality and innovation by exploring the list below.

Illustration of jaffa cakes

Best brands of jaffa cakes in 2025

McVitie's

McVitie's is the market leader in the Jaffa Cake market, holding a significant 56% share by value. Introduced in 1927, Jaffa Cakes are a beloved treat consisting of a Genoise sponge base, a layer of orange-flavored jam, and a coating of chocolate. Produced at McVitie's factory in Stockport, the production line churns out over 4,000 Jaffa Cakes per minute, translating to about 15,000 tons annually. The brand has successfully defended its classification as a cake in a VAT tribunal in 1991, ensuring they are exempt from VAT in the UK. McVitie's continues to innovate with limited-edition flavors and robust marketing campaigns.

Jacobs

Jacobs, although not the original creator, is not specifically known for producing Jaffa Cakes; the brand most associated with Jaffa Cakes is McVitie's, which has been producing them since 1927. McVitie's Jaffa Cakes are renowned for their unique composition of a Genoise sponge base, orange-flavored jam, and a chocolate coating. Despite a decline in sales, with McVitie's Jaffa Cakes experiencing an 18% drop in volume in 2023, they remain a popular snack. The product's classification as a cake rather than a biscuit was legally established in a 1991 VAT tribunal. McVitie's continues to innovate with new flavors, such as the Rockin' Raspberry launched in 2023.

Bahlsen

Bahlsen, a renowned German bakery since 1889, has established itself as a premium producer of jaffa cakes, particularly with its Messino range. This range saw a significant 94% year-on-year sales increase, highlighting its popularity. Bahlsen's Messino jaffa cakes are distinguished by their soft sponge cake, zesty orange filling, and smooth dark chocolate coating, making them a favorite among discerning consumers. The brand has secured listings in major UK supermarkets such as Asda, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose. Bahlsen's commitment to using finest quality ingredients and no added colorings or preservatives further enhances its reputation.

Crawford's

McVitie's, part of the Turkish group Pladis, is the well-known and leading producer of Jaffa Cakes, introducing them in 1927. Crawford's is not a notable brand associated with the production of Jaffa Cakes. McVitie's holds a significant market share, with 56% of the market by value as of 1996. Jaffa Cakes are produced on an extensive production line over a mile long at the McVitie's factory in Stockport. The product has undergone packaging changes, such as reducing the pack size from 12 to 10 cakes in 2017.

Tesco

Tesco has established itself as a formidable producer of Jaffa Cakes, particularly through its own-label offerings. The Tesco Jaffa Cake, priced at PS2 for a 430g package, has garnered significant consumer praise, with 77% of consumers indicating they would purchase the product after trying it, and 67% finding it new and different from existing options. This product has contributed to the growth of supermarkets' own-label lines, which saw a 3.5% increase in value to PS274.7m and an 8.6% increase in volumes. The cake itself was praised for its "great flavour" and "light and fluffy" texture, scoring well above the overall category norm. This success underscores Tesco's ability to produce high-quality, consumer-approved products.

Asda

Asda has been a significant retailer for Jaffa Cakes, including various brands and flavors. For instance, Bahlsen secured listings for its Messino Jaffa Cakes in Asda, among other stores, highlighting the retailer's role in offering diverse Jaffa Cake options. In 2017, McVitie's reduced the number of Jaffa Cakes in a pack from 12 to 10, a change also reflected in Asda's inventory. Despite this, Asda continues to be a key outlet for Jaffa Cakes, including limited-edition flavors like the Cola spin-off introduced in 2024. This variety and consistent availability make Asda a preferred destination for Jaffa Cake enthusiasts.

Lidl's Favorina

Lidl's Favorina brand, while not specifically known for producing Jaffa Cakes, plays a significant role in importing and distributing similar snack products. However, Lidl does import Jaffa Cakes, with LIDL US TRADE LLC being the largest importer, handling 47 shipments totaling 2,629 tons. The original and well-known producer of Jaffa Cakes is McVitie's, which has been crafting these treats since 1927, classifying them as cakes for tax purposes due to their higher moisture content and cake-like characteristics. For more insights into Jaffa Cakes buyers, you can visit the comprehensive buyers list on Zauba.

Aldi's Belmont

Aldi's Belmont brand is a highly competitive producer of Jaffa Cakes, offering a budget-friendly alternative to branded options like McVitie's. The Belmont Jaffa Cakes are priced at PS1.25 for a 300g pack, which is significantly cheaper than McVitie's, with a cost of PS0.42 per 100g compared to McVitie's PS0.48 per 100g. Despite the cost of living crisis leading to a decline in branded biscuit sales, with McVitie's Jaffa Cakes seeing an 18% volume decline, own label brands like Belmont have seen increased demand due to their affordability. In taste tests, while McVitie's Jaffa Cakes are often preferred for their deeper flavor, Belmont's version is still highly rated, receiving an 8 out of 10 from detailed tasting blogs. This makes Belmont a viable option for those seeking a cost-effective yet satisfying Jaffa Cake experience.

Marks & Spencer

Marks & Spencer is renowned for its innovative and delicious variations of Jaffa Cakes, such as the peach and passion fruit flavor, which adds a unique twist to the traditional orange jam and chocolate coating. These cakes, like the original Jaffa Cakes introduced by McVitie and Price in 1927, consist of a genoise sponge base, a layer of flavored jam, and a coating of dark chocolate. Marks & Spencer's version, available since several years ago, features a glossy and wonderfully jammy passion fruit and peach combination, making it a standout in the British teatime hall-of-fame. The cakes are highly regarded for their soft, firm, and delicate texture, and their unique flavor profile has been well-received by consumers. With their commitment to quality and innovation, Marks & Spencer continues to be a favorite among Jaffa Cake enthusiasts. For more details, explore the dark chocolate Jaffa Cakes on their site.

Waitrose Essentials

Waitrose Essentials is not a producer of Jaffa Cakes; McVitie's, part of the Turkish group Pladis, is the well-known manufacturer of Jaffa Cakes, introducing them in the UK in 1927. Jaffa Cakes are renowned for their Genoise sponge base, orange-flavored jam, and chocolate coating, with each cake containing 46 calories. Despite recent declines in sales, with McVitie's Jaffa Cakes experiencing an 18% volume drop in 2023, they remain a popular treat. For more information about Jaffa Cakes, visit their detailed entry on Wikipedia.