Tried and Tested: The Best Christmas Puddings 2022
It’s that time of year where we all get to enjoy traditional Christmas delicacies, and one of the most beloved seasonal dishes is the classic Christmas pudding.
We’ve teamed up with our customer Kimberley Stenson, to taste-test five Christmas puddings from the high street. From Asda and Morrisons to Aldi and Iceland, Kimberley has assessed each one on taste, appearance, aroma and texture to reveal the best Christmas pudding around to ensure you’re not disappointed on the big day.
Asda: Extra Special 9 Month Matured Luxury Christmas Pudding 400g
Rating: 4/5
Serves: 4
Price: £4.50
The Extra Special Christmas pudding from Asda was bursting with fruit and nuts and I could taste the alcohol too.
It is most certainly luxury with a rich flavour and would be a perfect addition to any Christmas Dinner.
The pudding is very easy to cook and comes with simple (and easy to use) instructions, which cooked the pudding perfectly.
Cooking Instructions
Microwave: 700W 3 Mins / 900W 2 Mins
• Remove outer packaging
• Pierce film lid in several places
• Place on a microwavable plate
• Heat on full power
• Leave to stand for 1 minute before serving then peel back film lid and serve
• Take care when removing film lid as hot steam will escape.
Morrisons: The Best Christmas Pudding 400g
Rating: 2/5
Serves: 4
Price: £5.00
The ‘Best’ Christmas Pudding from Morrisons wasn’t what I expected and unlike the Asda Extra Special pudding this one did not have so much fruit and nuts - it was more ‘cake like’ than pudding and a little stodgy.
I wouldn’t personally buy this pudding again, and it was the most expensive out of them all.
There wasn’t that much detail on the cooking instructions either and they were very basic however, worked ok.
Cooking Instructions
Microwave: 900w 2 min / 800w 2 min 30 sec
• Remove carton and pierce film lid
• Place on a non-metallic plate
• Heat on full power
• Leave to stand for 1 minute before serving
Aldi: Selected Month Matured Christmas Pudding 400g
Rating: 4/5
Serves: 4
Price: £4.29
Aldi have created a cost-effective alternative which is packed with chunky fruit, nuts and alcohol. It has also been matured for an impressive two years allowing the rich flavours to develop nicely. Delicious!
Several microwave wattage instructions included which allows ease when cooking for the end user, and the instructions worked well.
Cooking Instructions
Microwave: 750W 2 mins 30 sec / 850W 2 mins 30 sec
• Remove outer packaging
• Pierce film
• Heat on full power
• Stand for 1 minute before serving
Iceland: Luxury 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding 400g
Rating: 5/5
Serves: 4
Price: £4.00
This Christmas pudding from Iceland is first class – it’s a very moist, moreish, nutty and fruity pudding. If you’re looking for a very boozy pudding, this pudding is for you.
The taste is oozing with booze and certainly doesn’t require any extra brandy – and in my opinion it’s simplyperfect!
Very simple cooking instructions which cooks the pudding to perfection
Cooking Instructions
Microwave: 800w 3 mins
• Remove outer packaging and pierce film lid several times
• Place on a microwaveable plate
• Cook for 3 minutes
• Stand for 1 minute
• Serve by carefully removing the film lid and turning out onto a serving plate.
Co-op: Irresistable 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding 400g
Rating: 3/5
Serves: 4
Price: £4.00
The Co-op Christmas pudding is a little heavier compared to the others, so would benefit from an added splash of cream, however its chunks of cherries and light alcohol note makes it a great all-rounder pudding.
Cooking instructions were basic but worked well.
Cooking Instructions
Microwave: 800w 3 mins
• Remove outer packaging and pierce film lid several times
• Place on a microwaveable plate
• Cook for 3 minutes
• Stand for 1 minute
• Serve by carefully removing the film lid and turning out onto a serving plate.
My overall high street Christmas pudding winner which I’d recommend getting for the big day is Iceland’s Luxury 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding 400g
The Iceland Luxury pudding won it for me and will certainly have a place on my Christmas Dinner table this year.
With lashings of alcohol, fruit and nuts this is an absolute winner – perfectly matured over 12 months, all you need to do is add a dash of cream (or custard) and this will make the perfect Christmas pudding to your festive day.
We hope you have a scrumptious Christmas Day devouring your Christmas pudding – but don’t forget to light it for the ultimate grand finale to your festive feast.
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