I tested the entire M&S Colin the Caterpillar range – my favourites really surprised me

MARKS and Spencer's Colin the Caterpillar cake has been a beloved staple of British celebrations for decades.

Known for his charming chocolatey exterior and playful design, Colin has become more than just a cake - he's akin to a national treasure. 

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He's now the only cake I ever want to see whenever my birthday comes around.

Due to his success, M&S has branched out and now boasts an impressive 19 different types of Colin-themed treats.

From the iconic cake featuring a chocolate sponge roll, covered in milk chocolate and adorned with a white chocolate face and candy-coated chocolate buttons, to the latest sweets proudly bearing Colin's name, there's a lot of variety on offer.

With the Colin the Caterpillar range expanding, it's time to see if these new additions live up to the beloved original's legacy.

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You might be surprised to hear this, but after I tried the lot, the star of the show is no longer my favourite part of the range.

Here's why...

THE CAKES

• Top pick: Mini Colin the Caterpillar Cakes: £3.75

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While the original £9.50 cake might be your favourite, there's one major drawback that often leads me to opt for the other treats in the range instead.

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As I've mentioned, a Colin cake is a birthday essential.

In fact, it's a must-have for nearly any occasion shared with friends or work colleagues.

But therein lies the problem: I want to maintain my figure, and if I don't have anyone to share the whole cake with, it's just not practical to buy one.

I can now understand exactly why M&S has expanded its Colin range.

Even though I'm mindful of my waistline, I still adore Colin and his delicious components and want to enjoy him solo.

That's why, for me, the Mini Colin the Caterpillar cakes are a total game changer.

These bite-sized delights are perfect for a quick snack.

Each mini Colin captures the same great taste as the original but in a more convenient, easy-to-eat form.

The balance of chocolate and sponge is impeccable, and their smaller size means you can savour Colin on the go.

I found that if you put them in the fridge for a bit before you take your first bite, they taste even better.

If you prefer a more traditional cupcake, then the Colin the Caterpillar mini party cakes are a tasty alternative.

Each cupcake features a chocolate sponge base, topped with a generous swirl of chocolate buttercream and a miniature Colin face.

While these taste great, I think they fall short of the other two cakes because the sponge isn't coated in crunchy milk chocolate - one of the big appeals of a Colin.

BISCUITS AND CHOCOLATE

• Top pick: Colin the Caterpillar Greatest Bits: £2.75

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If sponge cake isn't your cup of tea but you adore everything else about Colin, you'll absolutely love my top pick for biscuits and chocolate.

M&S shoppers can now buy Colin the Caterpillar's "Greatest Bits".

These are essentially the best parts of the cake, which is why I find this bag of goodies so irresistible.

Inside, you'll find a selection of the iconic white chocolate feet and faces from the signature cake, along with the colourful candy-coated beans that adorn Colin's body.

Each piece is sweet, tasty, and a joy to eat - I simply can't get enough of them.

If your love for chocolate extends beyond the traditional, M&S also offers Colin Chocolate Mousse.

Each tub is priced at £2.25 and, while they are delightful, I found them no tastier than competing mousses available at a lower cost.

Again, the Colin the Caterpillar cookies were tasty, but if I'm after a cookie I'd rather have it plain with chocolate chips.

These were quite sickly, and one on its own is plenty for that sugar hit.

SWEETS

• Top picks: Colin the Caterpillar Fruit Sours: £1.90

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Venturing into the confectionery side of things, we tried the Colin the Caterpillar gummy sweets.

These chewy treats come in various fruity flavours and are shaped like mini caterpillars.

They offer a fun and tasty departure from the chocolate-heavy options.

However, as far as taste goes, some were better than others.

My absolute favourite is the fruit sours, which are finished with a sour sugar coating.

I devour anything sour and these are fruity but guaranteed to leave you with that sour face tingle.

Another top pick of mine is Colin the Caterpillar Softies.

They taste very similar to Drumstick Squashies but boast a more refined and pleasant flavour.

QUIRKY EXTRAS

• Top picks: Colin the Caterpillar Sprinkles: £2.00

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M&S also offers a few delightful extras in its Colin the Caterpillar range.

One standout for me has to be the Colin Sprinkles.

These sprinkles go beyond mere decoration; they add a satisfying crunch and a burst of sweetness to any dish.

I particularly enjoyed them sprinkled over yoghurt, and I can attest that they make a delicious accompaniment to ice cream.

The Colin Speckles remind me of chocolate buttons and could also be used similarly.

Those who love baking a bit can also grab a £8 Colin Brownie Baking Mix from your local store.

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However, if you already have tubs of flour and sugar in your pantry, it might be more cost-effective to bake them from scratch.

You can then add some of the Colin Speckles (£1) or Colin's Greatest Bits (£2.75) to your homemade mix for that signature touch, saving a bit of extra cash in the process.