The Famous British Dessert GBBO's Prue Leith Can't Stand
Prue Leith is a familiar face on television screens and in the hungry minds of foodies everywhere for her enviable role as a host of "The Great British Bake Off." Having co-founded Leiths School of Food and Wine in 1975, according to Cornwall Live, Leith clearly has the kitchen knowledge and confidence to judge the talents of others.
Leith's ability to scrutinize the creations of "Bake Off" contestants seems to be a little hypocritical, however. Even though she admits to being a lover of eating cakes, Cornwall Live reveals she is definitely not a fan of baking them, claiming she's much more interested in cooking savory dishes.
As if this revelation wasn't surprising enough, Leith has taken aim at a famous British sweet treat: Jaffa Cakes. Sainsbury's explains that Jaffa Cakes are orange-flavored treats sandwiched between sponge cake on the bottom and a thin chocolate layer on the top. But despite being a stalwart of British cuisine since 1927 (via McVitie's), Leith has launched a battering attack on the fruity snacks.
Prue Leith is definitely not a fan of Jaffa Cakes
Prue Leith's opinion of Jaffa Cakes is convincingly blunt: She doesn't like them, not one bit. When asked by Hello! whether the tiny treats should be considered cakes or biscuits, Leith stated that she doesn't care about Jaffa Cakes, describing them as "disgusting." Cue an impending constitutional crisis in the U.K.
Although Leith's comments could only have been more controversial if she'd stood at the top of the Tower of London throwing burning Jaffa Cakes into the Thames, the small snacks remain popular, with 74% of people in the U.K. loving them, according to YouGov. Around 2,000 Jaffa Cakes roll off the production line at McVitie's Manchester factory every minute, reports Manchester's Finest, so someone's clearly eating them (but maybe it's just one person with an insatiable craving).
But what about the question posed to Prue Leith: Are Jaffa Cakes cakes or biscuits? I newspaper reports that Jaffa Cakes were the subject of a legal battle, with the U.K. government arguing they should be classed as biscuits (which are taxed higher than cakes). However, judges decided that Jaffa Cakes are definitely — and, given their name, totally unsurprisingly — cakes. Ultimately, it's easy to say that many adore not only how Jaffa Cakes look but also how they taste. But if you can't access these delicacies, perhaps try an easy three-ingredient cake recipe that will satisfy you before you know it.