Desserts, puddings and cakes are most commonly cited as those items most likely to be bought ready made as a treat. However, the study shows us that with only a little more effort and organisation, the savings can be staggering.  Find out more about the Food Money Saving Study.

Key Findings:

It is clear from the results that retailers have a very healthy profit margin on puddings and cakes.  They are all cheaper to make yourself.  The three biggest savings are fruit crumble – 55%, sticky toffee pudding – 50% and sultana scones – 65%.

Apple Pie (Four Large Portions)

Ingredients:

• Bramley apples: 500g – 72.5
• Pastry: 500g – 98p
• Caster sugar: 100g – 9.1p
• Lemon: ½ – 15p
• Cinnamon: pinch: 3.8p

Total: £1.98
Luxury apple pie (750g): £2.98
Saving: £1 (34%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Bakewell Tart (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

• Sugar: 200g – 15.8p
• Ground almonds – 140g – 81.9p
• Butter:185g – 62.1p
• Eggs: 3 – 90.6p
• Flour: 125g – 5.3p
• Almond essence: 3 drops – 23p
• Raspberry jam: ½ jar – 30.4p
• Flaked almonds: 20g – 12.8p

Total: £3.21
2 x Standard Bakewell Tarts: £4.36
Saving: £1.15 (26%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Carrot and Orange Cake (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

• Carrots: 150g – 11.7p
• Plain flour: 250g – 10.7
• Brown sugar: 150g – 25.5p
• Eggs: 3 – 67.8p
• Vegetable oil: 150ml – 16.5p
• Baking powder: 2 tsp – 4.3
• Cinnamon: 1 tsp – 13.6p
• Ginger: 1 tsp – 14.4
• Orange juice: 50 ml – 7.3
• orange: 1 – 27p

Frosting ingredients:

• Butter: 75g – 25.2
• Cream cheese: 75g – 22.7p
• Icing sugar: 175g – 17.2p

Total: £2.63
Luxury Carrot and Orange Cake: £3.38
Saving: 75p (22%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Cherry Cheesecake (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

• Plain biscuits: 100g – 7.7p
• Golden syrup: 1 dsp – 6.5p
• Butter: 25g – 8.5p
• Cream cheese: 200g – 1.16
• Double cream: 300ml – 84p
• Caster sugar: 75g – 6.9p
• Black cherry topping: 1 tin – 95p

Total: £2.63
Luxury fruit cheesecake: £3.38
Saving: 75p (19%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Chocolate Mousse (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• Eggs: 4 – 90.4p
• Quality dark chocolate: 220g – £1.21
• Caster sugar: 40g – 3.6p

Total: £2.15
4 individual luxury chocolate mousses: £3.00
Saving: 85p (28%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Chocolate Tart (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• Quality dark chocolate: 200g – £1.10
• Eggs: 2 – 45.2p
• Cream: 175ml – 49p
• Milk: 75ml – 5p
• Pastry: 300g – 58.8p

Total: £2.68
Luxury chocolate tart : £2.99
Saving: 31p (10%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Fruit Crumble (4 Large Portions)

Ingredients:

• Frozen mixed fruit: 500g – £1.29
• Flour: 225g – 9.6p
• Butter: 75g – 25.2p
• Brown sugar: 100g – 17p

Total: £1.80
2 x luxury fruit crumbles: £3.98
Saving: £2.18 (55%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Rice Pudding (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

• Pudding rice: 100g – 9.6p
• Milk: 450ml – 41.8p
• Cream: 450 ml – £1.26
• Caster sugar: 75g – 6.9p
• Butter: 25g – 8.5p

Total: £1.92
1.5 x luxury rice pudding : £3.27
Saving: £1.35 (41%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Sherry Trifle (Serves 6-8)

Ingredients:

• Trifle sponges: 1 packet – 54p
• Raspberry jam: 200g – 30.4p
• Sherry: 150ml – 66.5p
• Frozen raspberries: 200g – £1.13
• Custard (made up from powder): 1 pint – 57.3p
• Double cream: 400ml – £1.12
• Flaked almonds: 25g – 16p

Total: £4.49
2 x standard raspberry trifle: £2.99
Saving: £1.50 (33%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Shortbread (Makes 12)

Ingredients:

• Butter: 110g – 36.9p
• Caster sugar: 50g – 4.6p
• Flour: 175g – 7.5p

Total: 49p
Shortbread biscuits (250g): 60p
Saving: 11p (18%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Sticky Toffee Pudding (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• Flour: 225g – 9.7p
• Butter: 85g – 28.5p
• Brown sugar: 175g – 29.7p
• Eggs: 2 – 45.2p
• Treacle: 2 tbsp – 14p
• Golden syrup: 1 tbsp – 13p
• Bicarb of soda: 1 tsp – 1.2p
• Vanilla extract: 1 tsp – 11p

Total: £1.49
Standard sticky toffee pudding : £2.99
Saving: £1.50 (50%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Sultana Scones (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

• Flour: 225g – 9.7p
• Butter: 50g – 16.8p
• Sugar: 50g – 3.9p
• Milk: 150 ml – 11.8
• Sultanas: 50g – 7.2p

Total: 49p
Pack of 4 luxury sultana scones: £1.39
Saving: 90p (65%)
Puds and Cakes Index

Treacle Tart (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

• Golden syrup: 200g – 34p
• Eggs: 1 – 22.6p
• Breadcrumbs: 2 slices bread – 20p
• Lemon: 1 – 30p
• Pastry: 200g – 52.2p

Total: £1.59
Standard treacle tart : £2.48
Saving: 89p (36%)
Puds and Cakes Index