‘Happy memories’: Tesco shoppers rejoice as iconic retro cake axed in the 80s makes comeback
A beloved Christmas treat is making its way back to Tesco shelves, delighting fans of retro desserts across the UK.
The Tunis Cake, priced at £10 and produced by Say it with Cake, has returned to the supermarket giant ahead of the festive season.
The nostalgic dessert’s reappearance marks a significant moment for those who remember it from decades ago, as it has only made a few seasonal appearances since the 1980s.
The revival comes amid a wave of discontinued products returning to British shops, from 90s chocolates to 80s beauty items.
For those unfamiliar with this festive treat, the Tunis Cake offers a delightful alternative to traditional Christmas fruit cake.
The dessert features a classic Madeira sponge base, topped with a generously thick layer of chocolate.
Its distinctive appearance comes from its decorative elements, featuring vanilla frosting and vibrant marzipan fruits adorning the top.
This combination of soft sponge, rich chocolate and decorative confectionery has made it a memorable holiday favourite for generations of British families.
The Tunis Cake boasts a rich heritage dating back to the Edwardian era, though its commercial success truly began in the 1930s.
Scottish bakery Macfarlane Lang’s was the first to produce the cake on a commercial scale, making it widely available to British households.
Following a merger with McVities, the beloved treat continued to be produced with a modified recipe until the mid-1980s.
After this period, the cake largely disappeared from regular production, making only sporadic appearances on supermarket shelves during the festive season.
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The cake’s return has sparked excitement on social media, with Facebook users sharing cherished memories of the festive treat.
Paul Thomas recalled having one “every Christmas as a kid”, while Helen Payne wrote: “Used to have these at Christmas as a kid. Not seen them in years.”
Another quipped: “My mum brought for Christmas. Glad it’s back. Happy memories.”
The nostalgia factor has clearly resonated with shoppers, as Sarah Oliver exclaimed: “OMG I am buying this I don’t care! These always make me think of Nanny.”
Katie Wordingham described the cake as looking “immense”, while Ann Ulyatt called it “a blast from the past.”