"What is a sausage roll cake, and why does it exist?"

September 8, 2022 4:13 AM

The Guardian: "The birthday ‘cake’ given to New Zealand MP Chris Hipkins raised many questions. We attempt to answer them." And in the UK, the baker who makes cakes that look like sausage rolls.
posted by paduasoy (15 comments total)

Is it cake?
Is it a cake?
posted by chavenet at 4:31 AM on September 8, 2022

I'm pretty sure it is a sausage baklava.
posted by Bee'sWing at 4:36 AM on September 8, 2022 [6 favorites]

Ah, Chris Hipkins. For those outside of New Zealand, one of his legendary gaffes was as health minister when he said it was hard during COVID lockdowns for people to "spread their legs." Rather than becoming a scandal, it led to heaps of posters and even a coffee mug with his face on it that all read "Spread your legs, not the virus." This seems entirely on-brand for him.
posted by rednikki at 4:43 AM on September 8, 2022 [4 favorites]

Well now I desperately want a Scotch creme egg. Thank God I don't live in Manchester.
posted by biffa at 5:13 AM on September 8, 2022 [2 favorites]

The “cake” was met with more curiosity than disgust online, which makes sense.

Does it, really?
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:44 AM on September 8, 2022 [2 favorites]

Really, this is no worse than a bacon explosion, and probably slightly easier to clean up after.
posted by GenjiandProust at 5:45 AM on September 8, 2022

I feel inspired.
posted by mumimor at 5:58 AM on September 8, 2022 [1 favorite]

🎵It's a long way to the shop if you wanna sausage roll🎵
posted by adept256 at 6:29 AM on September 8, 2022 [2 favorites]

But really: why?
posted by cirhosis at 7:53 AM on September 8, 2022

I'm a bit disappointed. I thought it'd be an actual cake, like a chocolate cake but with meat as the frosting/icing rather than a meat mille feuille. Which makes it more of a pastry rather than a cake.
posted by Ashwagandha at 8:20 AM on September 8, 2022 [2 favorites]

why does it exist?

Literally anything could be cake
posted by Greg_Ace at 8:38 AM on September 8, 2022

Down with the sausage roll!
(a Richard & Linda Thompson parody)
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 11:08 AM on September 8, 2022

Some cultural context. Sausage rolls are still common "savouries" at any function where old school catering is used. But they DOMINATE in among other places New Zealand Labour Party events (I have extensive first hand experience), and public service morning teas (to the extent austerity allows). This represents the trifecta of Chippy's personal fondness for them, Labour party dos, and police bureacracy. Magnificent.

(I myself prefer a good sausage roll to any other handheld savoury in traditional British catering, meat pies included).
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 4:12 PM on September 8, 2022 [4 favorites]

Private corporate functions too - many a morning tea, lunch 'n learn or special event in the office will have sausage rolls (+ vege alternative). People will complain if they're not there and attendance at subsequent events will suffer. Woe betide someone catering an event missing the sausage rolls. This may also be generational, the fruit bowl and various types of muffin with branded icing are slowly encroaching on the roll.
posted by phigmov at 12:44 PM on September 10, 2022 [3 favorites]

A sausage roll cake! Genius, absolute genius. I am going to have to try this.
posted by Pentickle at 2:20 PM on September 12, 2022