Back Country Carrot Cake and Custard (2 Serve)
Dessert
Rating
| Rating: | 8.4 / 10 |
| Value for Money | 1.5 / 2.5 |
| Taste | 2.1 / 2.5 |
| Convenience | 2.3 / 2.5 |
| Weight | 2.5 / 2.5 |
Back Country Carrot Cake and Custard (2 serve)
The Back Country Cuisine range of outdoor meals is probably the best known in Australia. However for many people the range of desserts is not as well known with hikers often forgoing this luxury on the trail. While Back Country produces a range of five desserts it is rare to see the full range in any one store as most tend to pick the best two or three to sell.
The deserts come as twin serve sizings with no single serves available unlike the main course options. However, it is not hard to convince me to eat the lot after a really hard day particularly as the desserts are high in calories compared to the main courses.
Taste wise this dessert is more like Christmas pudding as opposed to carrot cake but I think that’s because of the custard. While I don’t eat dessert every night on the trail, I will often partake every two to three nights particularly on longer trips where you start using up any excess body fat you may be carrying. I particularly enjoy dessert on cold days when I want something warm before going bed.
These meals are very easy to prepare and as long as you can boil water then you are set with preparation time requiring only ten minutes. The meal comes in a bag that is well designed and the bottom opens out to provide a flat base for those minimalists who want to leave the bowl at home. The option exists to tear the top off the bag to allow easy access to the food but you if you have a long handled spoon you won’t need to tear the bag. My other reason for not tearing the top off the bag is that you minimise any mess and after you’re done because you can re-zip the zip lock.
While the recommendation is to use 250 ml of water I suggest you use just a bit less (add 210 ml) which creates a thicker serving which is what custard should be and definitely my personal preference. While I will prepare some meal options myself, dehydrating desserts tends to be one of those things I don’t worry too much with and prefer to use the pre-prepared products.
The normal price sits around the AUD $16.99 mark, or $8.50/person. Most of the larger chain stores offer member discounts or have regular sales so its worthwhile looking around. These products do have a long shelf life so you can stock up during the regular sales.
If you’re not sure on the dessert front then this is a very safe choice – it’s sweet but not as sweet as other options in the range.
We Like
- Three year warranty which means you can buy these when you see them discounted thereby reducing the price. You also know the desserts will always be edible
- Minimal preparation time. All you are doing is rehydrating these desserts so once you add boiling water there’s only a ten minute wait
- If you eat from the bag there is only the spoon to clean up. In fact you may not even need to carry a bowl at all thereby limiting the weight you carry
- A variety of desserts in double serves from which to choose so it’s unlikely you will become bored unless you are on a really long hike
- No artificial flavours and preservatives. These meals are as close to ‘homestyle cooking’ as possible without cooking. They just taste good!
- Freeze dried. This takes much of the weight out of the meals and helps to limit the impact on your body
We Don't Like
- The main negatives of any commercially preprepared dehydrated / freeze dried meals is the cost. The Back Country Carrot Cake and Custard works out at $8.50/person
- Twin serve only. I hope you are hungry!
Best Uses
An easy to prepare dessert whether it be on a short or long trip for camping and hiking. When you’re feeling a bit flat after a hard day it’s hard not to feel chirpy again after eating one of these desserts
Buy One
You can purchase the Back Country Carrot Cake and Custard (2 Serve) online from Snowys, Wild Earth, or from Wildfire Sports
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Other Versions
Investment
AUD $16.99 RRP
The dessert as purchased
The bottom of the bag opens out to provide a flat surface. Opening out the base will allow the dessert to more evenly rehydrate. If you don’t open the base fully, you can get ‘dry pieces’
Uncooked dessert in the now opened bag
The dessert ready to eat. In this image I reduced the water added by 20 ml but it should be reduced more to get a thicker consistency (add 210 ml and not 250 ml)
Disclaimer
This review was done with product purchased from a retail store by Australian Hiker
Last updated
5/1/2024