Banana cake. My favourite kind of cake. Or maybe that's carrot, or actually coffee? Who knows, it's up at the top somewhere. Following a discussion on Instagram about the pitiful banana Twinkie I reviewed about a month ago, the lovely Sarah from wafflyversatile (please do go and check out her blog -it's full of fantastic recipes) informed me about banana Barnys.
Banana Barny's? How did I not know about such a creation! Well, it turns out that they're only available from the Polish Deli's (of which there are many in Hereford). I'm not sure why, but I always feel rather embarrassed sneaking into a Polish speciality shop, like I shouldn't be allowed in because I'm British -just me? Anyway, it wasn't very long ago that I was moaning about the boringness of Barny's flavours, so I sucked it up, and went on a banana cake mission.
Fortunately, I found one in the first Deli I went into, although they're known as Lubisie (not Barny) and are instantly recognisable thanks to the near-on identical packaging. The little cake bear only cost 30p too, bargain!
The Barny/Lubisie looked very similar once unwrapped too. The surprised bear was easy to slice, bearing a rather meagre looking pocket of creamy filling. Unfortunately only the core was flavoured, and I couldn't help but think it would have been much nicer to have had a banana cake to surround it.
If you've ever had a Barny before, you'll know what to expect from the sponge - it's very dry and typical of long life mass produced cakes. The banana filling was fair, but it didn't pack enough of a punch for me -and there wasn't really enough of it to shout about it.
Meh. I'm glad I braved the Polish Deli and tried this banana Barny/Lubisie, but I don't think it's one I'll be in a hurry to try again. It's on a par with the other Barny's widely available in the UK, and I'll doubt I'll buy any more until the company meets my demands for a Biscoff or peanut butter version!
5/10
T
here's a new Barny on the block. I really wish companies would opt for more exciting flavours (anyone else up for a peanut butter or Biscoff Barny?) but instead, this is yet another example of a 'new' product that's not particularly innovative. Are you excited by a cake filled with apple & berry jam? No? Me neither, but as you may have gathered, if its got 'new'plastered on the label somewhere, chances are I'll buy it.
The sponge bears portrayed their usual 'surprised' open-mouthed expression. They were about palm sized, and once cruelly sliced in half, the jam-packed (haha) centre of purple filling was revealed.
The sponge was unsurprisingly dry, as is often the case with long-life cakes, and they had a consistency that I imagine would be enhanced by a good coffee dunk -although I'm less sure that would work well with the forest fruits flavour. The generous pocket of jam was tasty, and as I tend to buy the apple flavour if and when I buy Barnys, I noted that the flavour was improved by the addition of the berries -adding an almost-tartness that offset the apple well.
Let's be honest; Barnys are never going to be as good as home made cakes (or even Mr Kipling's) but they are inexpensive, cute, and make a good on-the-go snacks or lunchbox fillers. If you don't regularly buy Barnys I wouldn't rush out to pick up a pack of the new forest fruits edition, but if they are a mainstay in your household, then they are certainly worth a try.
5/10
