Famous Lions Christmas cakes to be made in Victoria
The team at Lions Christmas cakes have entrusted their traditional recipe with “magic” ingredient to a Victorian manufacturer, after Brisbane’s Top Taste Bakery shut its doors.
THE iconic Lions Christmas cake – a festive season mainstay that has raised more than $60 million for the service club since 1965 – has a new home in Victoria.
South Dandenong’s Traditional Foods has taken over as sole manufacturer of the Lions cake from Brisbane-based Top Taste Bakery, which closed in June.
Before Top Taste shut its doors, all the 2020 products were made, so there’s no risk of a shortage this Christmas.
From next year, the popular cake, as well as the Lions Christmas pudding and mini treats, will be produced by Traditional Foods, using the club’s long-unchanged recipe.
Perfected over years, the recipe calls for high-quality components, at least 50 per cent fruit and “one magic ingredient”.
Lions Australia chief executive Rob Oerlemans says all proceeds from the cakes, which are sold by volunteers and online, go back to clubs across the country, funding a range of vital projects in the community. These include youth programs, medical research, aid to people with disability and environmental work.
He says the cake has become a tradition in Australian households since the first one was sold for a pound in 1965.
“Australia’s appetite for the Christmas sweet is still strong, with over 400,000 Christmas cakes and puddings sold last year,” he says.
“This isn’t just because they are renowned for quality and taste, but because when buying a Lions cake, you know you are supporting a good cause and making a difference.
“Each club that takes part in the program makes a profit that they can either use on a Lions project or donate back into their local communities.
“The recipe is proudly owned by Lions Australia and with our new supplier Traditional Foods, we will ensure the product retains the quality and taste loved by our customers,” he says.
Traditional Foods chief executive Stephen Heath says the company is “delighted” to be partnering with the Lions.
“We are very proud to have the opportunity to use the famous Lions Christmas cake recipe, which not only tastes great, but also makes a difference in the community,” Mr Heath says.
All Lions Christmas products can be purchased online.
To find out more, visit lionsclubs.org.au
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