A dedicated fan of a classic British snack has taken to their kitchen to solve a sweet mystery that has lingered for over a decade. They have successfully recreated the beloved chocolate cupcakes made by The Fabulous Bakin' Boys, a pre-packed treat that vanished from UK supermarket shelves 11 years ago.
The Lost Lunchbox Legend
For many in the early 2000s, The Fabulous Bakin' Boys' Choccy Cupcakes were a lunchbox essential. Hailing from a bakery in Witney, Oxfordshire, the treat consisted of a light vanilla sponge topped with a thin, hardened layer of milk chocolate, each individually wrapped. Their perfect size made them a popular choice for packed lunches. However, in the mid-2010s, they abruptly disappeared from shops, leaving fans confused and craving more.
The disappearance was linked to the company's financial troubles. The Fabulous Bakin' Boys went into administration in 2014 after reportedly overspending on equipment and neglecting brand investment. Although a Dutch firm bought the company and rebranded it as Fabulous Bakers, the brand was discontinued in 2016, and the Witney factory closed for good in 2017, sealing the cupcakes' fate.
A Home Baker's Nostalgic Mission
Determined to taste the treat again, one fan recently decided to reverse-engineer the cupcakes at home. They shared their successful baking project on Reddit, posting photos of their creations which featured a vanilla sponge and a solid Dairy Milk chocolate topping in a ridged case to mimic the original shape.
When asked for the recipe, the baker revealed they used a simple 1:1:1 ratio for the sponge: 150g each of butter, sugar, and self-raising flour, along with three eggs, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. After baking, they brushed the cakes with a vanilla simple syrup for moisture, pressed them down, and poured melted Dairy Milk chocolate over the top to create a hard 'lid' about 1cm thick. The batch yielded 11 cupcakes, and they also made a variation using Caramilk chocolate.
The baker described the result as having the texture they remembered: "super duper soft sponge and harder chocolate." While they didn't specify baking details, standard cupcake guidance suggests baking at 180°C for around 15 minutes until golden.
A Wave of Sweet Memories
The Reddit post sparked a flood of fond memories from other users. One person commented, "Awesome! I used to get these regular. I liked the lemon ones too." Another wrote, "Completely forgot about these. Used to get one in my packed lunch at school. They were incredible." The sentiment was clearly one of shared nostalgia for a lost snack icon.
This homemade revival highlights how certain foods become embedded in our collective memory. While The Fabulous Bakin' Boys are gone, the taste of their famous cupcakes can live on—one careful kitchen recreation at a time.
