So a few weeks ago a hamper of iconic cakes from Mr Kipling arrived via my postie. I know, I know blogging is tough old gig. In fact, this ranks right up as one of the hardest assignments I’ve had to date - scoff a load of cake and write about it!

The idea is to show you all how everything is #BetterwithCake - from arts and crafts with the kids, to household chores to fun times out and about. We were sent delicious French Fancies, Cherry Bakewells and Viennese Whirls, some of Mr Kiplings best known cakes to complete the challenge.

So the kids aren’t all that familiar with cake. I’d love to pretend this is because they’re more partial to vegetables, but it’s more a case of me hiding them for myself. They have had birthday cakes before, but these were just badly made sponges knocked up by some other poor mummy in a hurry. I’m never going to win Great British Bake Off, and I think we’d need to get the defibrillator out if Craig catches me anywhere near his “other wife” (the oven). So shop-bought delights like Mr Kipling are the only way they’re likely to get acquainted with the good stuff - just as well his are exceedingly good… (don’t all boo me at once - I had to slip it in).

So onto it then… what did we discover was #BetterwithCake?

(Note of caution: this is a scientific experiment in making the mundane better. Being crap parents, our kids rarely get glossy days down the park, they aren’t familiar with felt tips (lest they draw on the sofa) and the thought of letting them loose in the kitchen brings me out in hives. As such, as well as pics of children’s mouths caked in, well cake, this post will also contain images of parents doing things with cake you might not want to do at home).

VERDICT: Not so great. You get sopping wet and the crumbs clogged the drain

VERDICT: One for the pros as you need to go one-handed. Surprisingly good though

VERDICT: Nope. Nothing can make this any better

VERDICT: Marginally. It takes the smell away

But it did fare better with the tiddlywinks…

Alas, after all this yumminess we’re back to a life, sadly, without cake. And somehow nappy changes have gone up a notch on the stress-o-meter, cleaning the oven is crap again, and I no longer have a way of bribing Craig to let me watch last season’s TOWIE on the ITVPlayer. On that note, having to blog without a bit of naughtiness also feels a bit naff too.

When do I earn the right to throw in diva demands to PRs and insist on cake as well as payment? Not yet? Oh damn it.

I must, must, must whack them on the shopping list next week.

So, did Mr Kipling prove life is better when you add cakes? I suppose they did. Okay, a cake can’t don an apron and cook, clean the loo or babysit the kids when mummy fancies getting squiffy in a beer garden, but they do make life a bit more bearable when they’re in your cupboard. Ripping the box open and wrapping your chops around Mega Bloks-shaped French Fancies, or the biscuity goodness of a Viennese Whirl transports you away from a mountain of washing, the baby sick that’s congealing on your shoulder and the sounds of bickering over who gets to hold Buzz Lightyear - if only for a few precious seconds…

This post is an entry for the Britmums #betterwithcake Linky Challenge sponsored by Mr Kipling. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/mrkiplingcakes