Dr. Oetker Bake in the Box is a range of loaf cakes that are quite similar to homemade versions.

As it says on the box, simply tear off the lid, empty the sachet into your box, add milk, mix and bake in the box. The instructions are clearly provided and very easy to follow too. All that is needed is fresh milk and a fork to wash up after.

Despite being a keen baker, time is always of the essence and occasionally, it really takes way too long to flour surfaces, melt butter, prove a dough and squeeze lemons.

Dr. Oetker was established over 100 years ago in Germany, and now enjoys a reputation as one of the most trusted food brands internationally. Their products are good quality and always in the cupboard of home bakers such as ourselves so we decided to give these boxes a chance, and try them out.

There are at the moment three flavours to choose from: Lemon & Poppy Seed, Double Chocolate and Banana & Choc Chip. We started with the Double Chocolate. Indeed, it is one of the easiest bakes ever. All that ends up in the washing up is a fork, and the only fresh ingredient required is milk. Add the right quantity, mix et voila’, bake.

The chocolate cake was very light, baked well and had a good’fluffly’ texture, the chocolate was quite rich, overall very enjoyable and in the end, it was our favourite of the selection.

We then tried the Lemon & Poppy Seed, once again a good loaf cake texture with solid flavours and loads of poppy seeds. Finally, the Banana and Choc Chip was baked, perhaps the least satisfying of the trio, in our view not enough chocolate chips but otherwise it had a good banana flavour.

Perhaps, as the range improves, it might be worth adding an extra items such as an easy to make icing or drizzle (particularly for the lemon and poppy seed), and perhaps one loaf won’t satisfy 6 hungry people (it states on the box it serves 6).

Yes these boxes are definitely worth keeping in your cupboard for those unexpected visitors or to satisfy a sudden cake craving.