Sunderland's Müllers Bakery frog cakes get red and white makeover ahead of Wembley final

Müllers Bakery have been whipping up their signature frog cakes for more than 60 years, in a classic green or chocolate version.

They sell like hot cakes at the bakery’s three branches in Villette Road, Sea Road and Blandford Street – but now for the first time people can buy a red and white version.

The almond sponge and buttercream cakes have had a Mackem makeover ahead of SAFC taking on Tranmere Rovers at the national stadium on Sunday, March 14, for the Papa John’s Trophy.

They’ve already captured people’s imaginations, with even Black Cat Lynden Gooch sharing the cakes on his Instagram stories.

Much like pink slices, the frog cakes are a popular snack in Sunderland that you’ll struggle to find outside of the city.

Charlie Müller, whose grandparents Max and Gianna set up the bakery in 1959 after moving here from Switzerland, said their customers have a lot of affection for the frogs.

"We’ve sold the green frogs since we opened,” explained the third generation baker. “My granddad invented them, I’m not sure if it’s something he’d seen in Switzerland, but I’m not aware of anywhere else that does them.

“It’s one of our best sellers, and certainly the most popular. People come in and say they remind them of their childhoods, because their nana would buy them for them or they’d get them after school.”

Speaking about why the bakery broke with tradition for this weekend’s match, Charlie said: “There seems to be more positivity in the city at the minute: we’re coming out of Lockdown and Sunderland are on the up again. So we just wanted to mark the celebration.”

Priced 80p, the cakes are on sale now in the Villette Road and Sea Road branches, but the Blandford Street branch is still closed for Lockdown.

If you’re looking to get some other Sunderland foods to eat at home while you watch the game on Sunday, Stirk’s Butchers have produced a Wembley sausage.

Black Cat fans voted for the name of the Papa Stirks Pizza Sausage, which are available from the Grangetown store.

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