There’s no denying that we all love a bit of nostalgia – it makes many of us feel comforted and safe during turbulent times.
As such, a number of old school favourites have been returning to shop shelves in recent months, from discontinued desserts from the 90s to sweets from the 80s.
And now another delicious treat that disappeared decades ago is making a comeback, as it’s been spotted on supermarket shelves ahead of Christmas.
Last year, Tesco shoppers went wild over a ‘retro’ Tunis Cake being sold for £10, made by the brand Say it with Cake.
And now it’s back once again, for those who didn’t get a chance to try it.
If you’ve never had one, a Tunis Cake is an alternative to Christmas fruit cake and features madeira sponge with a thick layer of chocolate on top. The whole thing is then decorated with vanilla frosting and brightly coloured marzipan fruit.
The origins of the cake are thought to be Edwardian, but it became especially popular in the 1930s when Scottish Bakery Macfarlane Langs started producing commercial ones. When the company merged with McVitie’s they continued to make them regularly, albeit with an updated recipe, until the mid-1980s.
Tragically, since the 80s the cake has rarely been spotted on supermarket shelves, other than the occasional appearance seasonally. So it’s no surprise that many were excited by its return.
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On Facebook people were quick to say that seeing the product took them right back to their childhood, sharing fond memories of eating the dessert.
Paul Thomas said he had one ‘every Christmas as a kid’, and similarly Helen Payne wrote: ‘Used to have these at Christmas as a kid. Not seen them in years.’
Katie Wordingham thought the cake looked ‘immense’, while Sarah Oliver proclaimed: ‘OMG I am buying this I don’t care! These always make me think of Nanny.’
Ann Ulyatt thought it was a ‘blast from the past’, as Pat Hughes admitted she didn’t realise you could still buy them.
She added: ‘My sister always bought a Tunis Cake, I can’t remember if it was Christmas or Easter. We loved them, it’s got to be about 60 years ago.’
Others claimed they’d also spotted versions of Tunis Cakes being sold in M&S and Sainsbury’s recently. One is currently available from M&S at Ocado online. Like the Tesco one, it also costs £10 and is described simply as ‘an iced sponge cake with marzipan fruits’.
People are so enamoured by the nostalgic cake that there’s even a Facebook campaign for the McVitie’s one to return. More than 2,900 people have joined the group which is dedicated to getting the original to return.
In the group’s explanation, the creator explains that the cake was an ‘obligatory’ item at Christmas, and is the ‘perfect post Xmas dinner dessert’.
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