Dark Chocolate Cranberry Jaffa Cakes (Marks and Spencer) By @Cinabar

Marks and Spencer have given their classic Jaffa Cake style treat a seasonal twist with these Dark Chocolate Cranberry Jaffa Cakes, and they feel very much like a Christmas special rather than a year round flavour. From the moment you open the box, they look the part. The bright red packaging is bold, festive and eye catching, and it would not look out of place on a Christmas snack table.

Instead of the usual round shape, these Jaffa style biscuits come as neat little rectangles, which somehow makes them feel a bit more grown up. There are plenty in the box too, so it does not feel skimpy. The dark chocolate topping is the first thing you notice when you bite into one. It cracks pleasingly, which is always a good sign, and adds a slightly bitter edge that balances the sweetness underneath.

The sponge base is soft and light, just as you would expect, but the real star here is the cranberry layer. It has a lovely sharpness to it while still being sweet, giving that classic sweet and sour contrast that works so well at Christmas. The cranberry flavour feels festive without being overpowering, and it pairs beautifully with the dark chocolate.

These are perfect with a cuppa, especially on a cold winter afternoon. They feel indulgent but not too heavy, making them easy to reach for more than one. Overall, this is a really nice seasonal variation on the regular orange flavour. Familiar enough to please Jaffa Cake fans, but different enough to feel like a proper Christmas treat.