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Jaffa Cakes

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description Jaffa Cakes Overview

Jaffa Cakes are sponge cakes sandwiched together with orange jelly and coated in dark chocolate, originating from a recipe created in the late 19th century to satisfy customers desiring both cake and biscuit.

help Jaffa Cakes FAQ

Are Jaffa Cakes legally cakes or biscuits in the UK?

They are legally treated as cakes for UK VAT purposes following a 1991 tribunal involving McVitie's. One argument was that Jaffa Cakes become hard when stale, like cake, while biscuits usually become soft.

What is inside an original McVitie's Jaffa Cake?

The original version combines a small Genoise-style sponge base, orange-flavored jelly and a coating of dark chocolate. Unlike a sandwich cake, it has one sponge layer rather than two.

When did McVitie's start making Jaffa Cakes?

McVitie's introduced Jaffa Cakes in the UK in 1927. Their name refers to Jaffa oranges, a variety historically associated with the region around Jaffa.

Why are Jaffa Cakes usually stocked in the biscuit aisle?

Their small size, packaging and use as a tea-time snack make them commercially similar to biscuits. The shelf placement does not change their UK tax classification as cakes.

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