Woolworths has hit back at criticism after it was accused of “ripping off” customers with a new twist on its iconic mud cake.
Sharing on Reddit, one shopper lashed out at the supermarket giant after spotting a Valentine’s Day mud cake at their local store for $9.50.
In their post, the customer claimed that Woolworths had simply added an icing love heart to its standard mud cake — which retails for $6.40 — and charged more than $3 extra for the detail.
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“Woolies jumping on the Valentine’s Day rip-offs,” the Reddit user wrote.
“Normal chocolate cake with a squiggle on it: $6.40. Same chocolate cake with a shitty heart squiggle: $9.50.”
However, Woolies has defended the $9.50 bakery buy, claiming that it’s very different to the regular mud cake which can be found in stores throughout the year.
While the standard mud cake has a thin layer of standard icing on the top only, the Valentine’s Day version had been covered with rich chocolate ganache, by hand, on all sides.
A team member then drew a love heart decoration in icing on top of each individual cake, taking considerable time.
7NEWS.com.au has been told the price of the additional ganache, icing and labour were considered when setting the price of these decorated cakes, in addition to them being a special event-related release.
In a new statement, a Woolworths spokesperson said the cakes were “lovingly’’ created by bakery staff.
“Our bakery team were sharing the love with our special release Valentine’s Day mud-cakes, topped with delicious decadent ganache and an icing love heart,” the spokesperson said.
“These cakes were available in select stores while stock lasted, and were lovingly hand-decorated by our team members.”
Despite the uproar, many still gave the Valentine’s Day cake a tick of approval.
“Bring that bad boy home with a six-pack and baby, you got Valentine’s sorted,” said one.
Another added: “It’s $9.50 for a cake, seems fair.”
One more said: “Don’t buy it then. It is still not exorbitant. There is a double thick swirl of icing on the outside edge in a quasi heart shaped pattern.
“Probably the justification for charging more. Would cost you at least $7 to make it yourself.”
