New Dr Oetker Mug Cakes

So, these aren't a brand spanking new product, but they're still labelled as NEW!, and I've never had them before, so they're classified as new in my book...

These Dr Oetker Mug Cakes come in three flavours: chocolate, chocolate chip & lemon. I adore chocolate but I'm pernickety when it comes to chocolate cake: chocolate fudge cake- yes please, dry chocolate sponge- no thanks. With that in mind I figured that chocolate chip mug cake is probably a safer bet.

Normally, I believe that the best part of home-baking is the reward of being able to eat still warm cake fresh out of the oven, the lovely smell filling the house. I was always warned as a child that eating cake whilst it was still warm would give you a dicky belly, but in hindsight that may have been a ruse so that all of the cake wouldn't be gobbled down too quick. I'll have to google it someday.

Anyway, I don't do as much baking as I have done in the past or indeed that I'd like to do due to my lifestyle and the fact that there is only two of us in our home. Dr Oetker must have have realised that this issue plagues a lot of households and have been pretty smart in coming up with a solution: individual mug cake baking kits, perfect for the lazy baker/ those living alone/ people who have a limited amount of time on their hands. The packet proudly claims that it's 'easy, quick and delicious' -big promises Dr Oetker.

Each sachet cost 50p from ASDA, and the instructions are pretty straightforward: simply pour the mix into a mug, add 60ml milk, stir with a spoon until smooth and microwave for 1 minute and 10secs. Simples!

I followed the instructions religiously and watched the cake rise up and above the mug's rim as it spun on the microwave's turntable, but as soon as I opened the door it sunk back down. The cake didn't have that nice tanned top that you get from an oven bake, it remained very pallid. 

My excitement was quickly diminishing, and as i tucked my spoon into the warm cake, I felt it almost resist being eaten. When I tasted my first mouthful I regretted buying into the idea that Dr Oetker had solved my baking dilemma, because the cake was utterly tasteless. I was so disappointed that I almost gave up entirely, but I pushed on, hoping to find reassurance in the chocolate chips. The chocolate chips were plentiful but I couldn't even entertain the idea of enjoying this product because of the texture. It was so rubbery that I believe if I dropped it, it would have continued to bounce around my living room for the rest of the evening.

I'm gutted. I had high hopes for this product, but I won't be having it again. Next time I'm wanting a warm muffin, I'll buy the strawberry & white chocolate ones from ASDA's in-store bakery and zap them in the oven for 30secs.

1/10