The best Christmas puddings: tried and tasted
We review the best supermarket Christmas puddings available in 2025, with selections from the likes of Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and M&S.
We review the best supermarket Christmas puddings available in 2025, with selections from the likes of Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and M&S.
You may be planning on making your own Christmas pudding this year, but you have already missed the famous Stir-up Sunday (November 23).
So, if you have run out of time or want to let the shop take the strain, we've got our round-up of the best supermarket Christmas puddings for 2025.
400g, £5.25
Although it didn’t hold together well when turned out, this was a wonderfully succulent and tasty pudding. Stacked with fruit and an abundance of nuts – with almonds and pecans particularly evident – it boasted a moist texture with a nutty crunch. It also had a good, rich brandy flavour complemented by sweet glacé cherries.
Dark and indulgent, it could have used a bit more festive spice, but overall it was a delicious but rather pricey treat.
400g, £1.99
A nicely succulent pudding with a good overall flavour, and with the treacle undertones coming through beautifully. The mix of vine fruits was well-balanced, though the large sultanas certainly stood out and added a pleasant texture.
Great value for the price, but it could benefit from a touch more alcohol to give it that traditional festive depth.
400g, £4
Despite looking good inside when cut, the pudding had a suet residue that did not look appealing. The substantial fruit content was a big plus, but it lacked festive spice and didn’t deliver on overall fulfilling taste.
While rum and brandy were present, they didn’t really come through, and the texture with a little too claggy.
400g, £1.99
Good value for money and with a pleasant, moist middle. The outer layer, however, was a little dry and crusty, giving it a texture more like a fruit cake than a traditional pudding.
The fruit was plentiful but somewhat tightly packed, and the flavour lacked both spice and the rich warmth of alcohol you’d expect from a classic Christmas pudding.
400g, £4
With an excellent fruit content, this was well-balanced, but there was little trace of the rum or traditional spices. It had a rich, appealing colour and was moist throughout with a pleasant hint of orange that added freshness.
Like many of the others, there was a slightly filmy residue left on the palate, which was an unpleasant aftertaste.
400g, £2.50
With a slightly dry, cakey texture, this pudding was a bit heavy on the palate. The fruit was less pronounced than in some and was well chopped, giving the pudding a dense, sticky consistency rather than a rich, moist one.
Both spice and alcohol taste were lacking, although there was a pleasant mild citrus flavour.
400g, £2.65
This Christmas pudding offered plenty of large, visible fruit, giving it a traditional appearance, although it was a little too shiny when turned out. The texture, however, was rather chewy and slightly stodgy, with less moisture than ideal.
While the alcohol is certainly there, it didn’t deliver the rich depth of flavour one might expect.
400g, £2.38
Somewhat disappointingly, this turned out sticky yet oddly dry and cake-like to eat. The texture was chewy, and it lacked the rich, traditional flavour we were hoping for. There wasn’t as much fruit evident compared to the other puddings, and it left an unpleasant glaze on the lips.
Overall, it didn’t capture the festive taste or texture of a good Christmas pudding.
Mother and daughter team Diana Redfern and Emma Gill carried out the tastings and have this tip. "Microwaving Christmas pudding can lead to overcooking and dryness.
To maintain moisture, heat for slightly less time than the microwave instructions (or on a lower power), or try steaming."
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