For people following a vegan diet or those who are intolerant to dairy, we've rounded up the best vegan chocolates to try.
With more and more people following a vegan diet and others finding that they're lactose intolerant, we've made it our mission to find the very best dairy-free chocolate to keep cravings at bay. There are plenty of delicious options out there from budget-friendly chocolate bars to luxury versions with high cocoa content and we've tasted a wide range to bring you our best vegan chocolate bars. For more unbiased expert buyer's guides, visit our reviews section to find 400+ round-ups including our mega taste test of the best vegan foods - everything from vegan cupcakes and biscuits to vegan bacon, jerky and nuggets is covered. We've also got in-depth taste tests of the best vegan fish alternatives, vegan ice cream and vegan 'cheese'. Best vegan chocolate at a glance 2023 Best classic chocolate bar: Cadbury plant vegan chocolate bar, £2.50 Best nutty vegan chocolate bar: Vego hazelnut chocolate bar, £2.95 Best vegan chocolate gift: Hotel Chocolat 85% dark chocolate batons, £7.50 Best budget vegan chocolate bar: Asda Free From Choc bar, 50p Best large vegan chocolate bar: Chocolate and Love rich dark 71% bar, £3.50 Best for baking: Ombar Coco Mylk bar, £3.10 Is dark chocolate vegan? Most dark chocolate is naturally vegan. In most cases, it's made with only a few ingredients, including cocoa, sugar and any added flavours. However, this isn't the case for all dark chocolate – some brands add milk powder to enhance the creamy flavour and texture. It's best to check the labels and buy high-quality chocolate, or look specifically for a vegan brand. Find out the impressive health benefits of dark chocolate. Best vegan chocolate to buy 2023 Cadbury plant vegan chocolate bar Available from Sainsbury's (£2.50) Best classic chocolate bar Our team are big Cadbury fans, so we were slightly dubious about trying a bar without dairy. We needn't have worried – its vegan chocolate bar is super-creamy and moreish. In fact, some said it tasted similar to the bar we all know and love. The only real difference is that it has a slightly nuttier flavour – that'll be the almond paste – and is a touch sweeter. But, we don't mind this – during testing, we found we wanted to eat a bit less, which stopped us eating the full bar in one go. A win all round! Cadbury also offers a salted caramel version. If you're a fellow Cadbury fan, you should definitely give it a go. Available from: Sainsbury's (£2.50) Vego hazelnut chocolate bar Available from Asda (£2.95) Best nutty vegan chocolate bar Before we began our vegan chocolate taste test, never did we imagine we'd find one that tasted, not only as good as traditional chocolate, but one we'd actually prefer to a milk chocolate bar. We went back for seconds (and thirds) of this deliciously 'creamy' bar filled with whole hazelnuts. Most vegan alternatives to chocolate have a high cocoa content (often 75% and above), meaning that if you're not a fan of darker styles, vegan varieties may be too bitter. The Vego bar, however, is the closest thing we've found to a milk chocolate bar. Similar in taste to a rich hazelnut spread, but with no added palm oil, this is the vegan chocolate bar we've been searching for. Available from: Asda (£2.95) Hotel Chocolat 85% dark chocolate batons Available from Hotel Chocolat (£7.50) Best vegan chocolate gift Perfectly presented for a gift, or a luxurious treat for yourself, these dark chocolate fingers are the pinnacle of premium vegan chocolate. The bite-sized chocolate pieces contain an even balance of both sweet and bitter flavours and you'll be surprised at how creamy they taste, despite their darker appearance. As you'd expect from luxury chocolatier Hotel Chocolat, each individual baton is pristinely smooth, tempered to perfection and has a wonderfully sharp snap to it. High-end indulgence. Available from: Hotel Chocolat (£7.50) Asda Free From choc bar Available from Asda (50p) Best budget chocolate bar All our taste tests are conducted entirely blind, meaning that flavour will always prevail over the way a product is packaged. Our judges were unanimous in deciding that this smooth, free-from bar should sit proudly in our top five. We'd be hard pushed to differentiate between this and a non-vegan variety of budget chocolate and, for those times when the only thing that will satisfy your cravings is a sweet mouthful, make sure you've got a stash of these at home. Available from: Asda (50p) Chocolate and Love rich dark 71% bar Available from Ocado (£3.50) Best large vegan chocolate bar A high-scoring entry in our taste test, this is another luxury vegan chocolate bar that has everything we'd want in a dark chocolate; deep and rich flavour as well as a sharp snap. Plus, it'll take you by surprise when it melts in your mouth. If you prefer lighter flavours of chocolate, opt for the orange, pomegranate or coffee varieties from Chocolate and Love – they're all vegan, too, and taste delicious. Available from: Ocado (£3.50) Ombar Coco Mylk bar Available from Waitrose (£3.1o) Best for baking You'll see that a number of our recipes call for the addition of 'good quality chocolate', but what happens if you can't consume chocolate that contains milk? The second we tasted the Ombar, we knew that its rich coffee taste would make it ideal for cooking and baking. You can tell the chocolate has been tempered correctly as it has a crisp snap when you bite into it and the texture is perfectly smooth, so when melted down, you'll be left with an entirely fluid mixture to work with. Make sure to keep a few squares aside for snacking, too. Available from: Waitrose (£3.1o) How we tested vegan chocolate A range of nationally available chocolates were tested by various members of our BBC Good Food editorial team. The chocolates were all served blind, so that no brand prejudice could play a part in the judging. The chocolates were served at room temperature and tasters were encouraged to cleanse their palate between tastings. We scored the chocolate against the following criteria. Taste: Although taste can be subjective when it comes to chocolate, we looked for a rich, dark chocolate that was full of flavour. We allowed the chocolate to sit at a comfortable room temperature and began to take flavour notes when the chocolate melted on the tongue. How did a chocolate pass our test? By simply tasting as good, if not better, than milk chocolate. The perfect snap: The correct tempering of the chocolate can influence whether there are any nasty lumps or bumps in the finished product. Not only should the chocolate appear smooth and glossy (apart from when additional ingredients are included) but it should have the perfect snap when broken apart. No scuffs or 'bloom': Signs of a high-quality chocolate start at the physical appearance of the product. We made sure that the chocolates tested didn't appear to have any white marks (called bloom) on their surface, which often indicates that the chocolate has been spoiled in some way. Presentation: Although all chocolates were removed from their packaging, we took note of the appearance and originality of each bar. Related reviews Best vegan foods giant taste test Best gluten-free bread taste test Best vegan beer Best vegan cheese Best vegan protein bars Best vegan cookbooks Best vegan and plant-based fish alternatives This review was last updated in December 2022. Have you found a vegan chocolate bar that you love? Leave a comment below...
Fancy a satisfying weekend treat? It’s time to dust off the old frying pan, crack a few eggs and get ready to create that delicious fried breakfast at home.
It seriously doesn't get much better than tucking into a full English brekkie on the weekend. Although there are many variations to the classic fry-up – and opinions can be divided on whether controversial items such as fried mushrooms or black pudding should make the cut – once you've nailed the techniques and have all the equipment ready, you're onto a winner. So what's technically included in the classic full English? 1. Sizzlin’ sausages With thousands of varieties to choose from, you're kind of spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the perfect bangers. But do you know your Cumberlands from your Lincolnshires? What makes each variety differ? Seasoning, spices, and herbs are added to give sausages extra flavour. Sometimes small pieces of cooked apple, caramelised onions or other ingredients that pair well with pork can also be added to create interesting varieties. Nowadays you'll find plenty of options in terms of meat too, be that chicken sausages or even meat-free veggie bangers. How to cook sausages Sausage recipe collection 2. Brilliant bacon ​ It’s not a fry-up without bacon. Some people like theirs super crispy, whereas others prefer a softer variety. If you don't finish the pack, use what's left to create our 5 ways with bacon sandwiches, or make little bacon cups and fill them with scrambled egg. 3. Eggs eggs eggs Whether you're partial to poached, fancy them fried or serve them scrambled, the key to a successful fry-up is getting the eggs right everytime. What's more, with the UK consuming around 11.5 billion eggs each year (no, we're not yolking), make sure you know the difference in types and how to store them properly with our guide to eggs. More egg recipes: Green eggs How to make scrambled eggs in the microwave Shakshuka 4. The essentials Just as important as the SBE elements (that's sausage, bacon and eggs), your fry-up would be a sad state of affairs without the addition of baked beans, fried tomatoes and toast on the side. Find out how to cook them all in our ultimate makeover guide. 5. The optional extras These are the foods that tends to divide fry-up opinions. For some of us, a side of fried mushrooms makes an excellent accompaniment to a fry-up. Other additions include black pudding (often served in a full Scottish or full Irish breakfast), hash browns, potato scones and fried bread. The decision is yours. Twists on the classic Want to take your fry-up to the next level? Don't be bound by tradition – think outside the box and opt for our full English crumpets or perhaps our British take on the shakshuka, with bacon, bangers and beans all thrown in for good measure. Or if you fancy a fry-up outside breakfast time, why not opt for our delicious full English pizza? Healthier switch-ups Just because you're sticking to a healthier diet, that doesn't mean you need to miss out on a fry-up. Check out our ultimate makeover for the full English breakfast which uses simple swaps for a lighter meal. Our veggie breakfast bake is perfect for anyone who doesn't eat meat – or try our delicious vegan fry-up. Terrific tools An artist is nothing without their tools, right? Well, the same applies to your fry-up. Arguably the one piece of kitchen kit you shouldn't be without is a reliable frying pan. The BBC Good Food on-test team brings you a review of their top five non-stick picks. More product reviews: Best non-stick frying pans Best griddle pans Best air fryers Brilliant brunch gadgets Cook your eggs in the microwave with some nifty gadgets Breakfast drinks Of course, you'll also need something to wash down your breakfast, be that the classic orange juice made in a juicer, a tasty breakfast smoothie or simply the ultimate cup of tea. More breakfast drinks: Smoothie collection Coffee recipes Assam tea with cinnamon See our breakfast collection for more recipe inspiration. How do you like your fry-up? Leave a comment below...
With the Royal Wedding right around the corner, we've got some alternative wedding cake ideas for Harry and Meghan to consider on their big day.
From doughnut walls (yes, really – Google it) to giant pork pies, wedding cakes are straying further and further from the traditional Victoria or fruit sponge. Whether you’re keen to keep costs down, or just fancy something out of the ordinary, we’ve rounded up 11 of our favourite alternative wedding cakes. The trendy one… Rumoured to be the chosen flavour for the upcoming royal wedding cake, fresh lemon and seasonal elderflower are set to replace the traditional sponge flavours. Why not follow suit and enjoy a citrus showstopper worthy of royalty with our lemon and elderflower celebration cake? The booze-filled one… Fan of gin & tonic? Why not pay homage at your wedding to your favourite drink by infusing some inside your wedding cake sponge? This fabulous showstopper works well on its own or could be just one of your flavours, if you’re opting for a few tiers. The twist on the classic… Okay, so red velvet cake may not be considered all that alternative nowadays, but this American rosy-hued cake makes a lovely and bright addition to your wedding spread. Our raspberry red velvet cake is infused with the natural red food colouring from puréed fruit and tastes delicious with that traditional cream cheese frosting dolloped on top. The vegan one… If you, or some of your wedding guests are vegan, there’s no reason to be limited when it comes to wedding cake options. This indulgent, fudgy vegan bake is topped with a rich frosting – you'd never guess that it’s free from dairy, eggs, wheat and nuts. The salted caramel one... Love is in the air…and it turns out that sea salt and caramel are actually a match made in heaven. If you don’t want to stray too far from a traditional design but fancy mixing up your flavours, choose this moist, fragrant sponge with silky Italian meringue, tahini buttercream and sharp pear-laced salted caramel. Try our salted caramel and pear cake. The croquembouche… This decorative French tower consists of dozens of delicious cream-filled choux pastry buns, all held together using spun sugar. Go as high as your heart desires, or keep things low-key with just some added sugar decorations on top. The cupcake bouquet… Not keen on the idea of one large centrepiece cake? Why not place small cupcake bouquets on each of your tables – allowing your guests to take their own cupcake from the bunch. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to make your own cupcake bouquets. The doughnut creation… A truly unique alternative to the traditional Vicky sponge, couples are choosing to have tables – or even walls – filled with doughnuts. Use them as favours, replace your entire wedding cake or simply pile some on top – these modern treats will certainly bring a hole lot of fun to the party. The savoury one... Anyone who tells you they don't want a GIANT pork pie at their wedding has got to be telling porkies. With supermarkets such as M&S now selling pork pie wedding cakes, this savoury wedding trend is definitely on the rise – much to our delight. The homemade favours... Whether you serve ‘em up piled high in a tower or as individual sweet treats, these cute meringue kisses are the perfect addition to any wedding table – and you can alter the colour of the meringue stripes to match your wedding colour theme. The crêpe cake... A tower of pancakes? This wedding-cake trend has just crêped up on us. Yes, another French contender in the latest wedding craze is to serve a tower of wafer-thin crêpes piled as high as a sponge cake. Scatter delicious fresh fruit or gorgeous fresh flowers on top for an eye-catching centrepiece. More wedding inspiration... Looking for wedding ideas on a budget? Follow our easy DIY wedding guide. If you’re still trying to find the perfect wedding cake recipe, check out our wedding cake recipe collection. From the latest gin glasses to outdoor pizza ovens, we’ve got plenty of quirky presents in our wedding gift guide. Have you had an alternative wedding cake? Let us know in the comments below...
From fluffy scrambled eggs to sticky rice, you won’t believe how many recipes you can try in the microwave with the help of some nifty cooking accessories.
All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more and read about how we write BBC Good Food reviews. This page was updated in February 2020. With so many of us short on cooking time, we often rely on our microwaves for preparing quick meals in a flash. It’s no surprise there are now so many gadgets which make poaching eggs or steaming rice achievable at the click of a button. We tested a bunch of them to find out which ones really are worth the hype. For more expert buyer's advice, read our review of the best microwaves, plus visit our reviews section for 200+ unbiased guides to the very best kitchen essentials and more. Best microwave gadgets Rice steamer Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine rice cooker This super-slick rice cooker comes with an easy measuring jug so you can choose how many portions of rice to cook, as well as a small serving spoon, making it easy to serve straight from the pot. We put it through its paces with one of the hardest varieties: long-grain rice. We simply popped in a cup of rice, matched with the required amount of cold water, covered with the lid and placed inside the microwave for 10 minutes. The result? A generous portion of fluffy steamed rice, much simpler to cook than on the hob. It's dishwasher safe, too, so minimal washing-up was required. Porridge pot Sistema microwave breakfast bowl Our porridge-crazed nation has been crying out for the perfect porridge bowl, and it just so happens we’ve found it. Wave goodbye to nasty spillages – this secure pot comes with built-in ventilation so air can escape during cooking, making sure your porridge won’t explode halfway through cooking. At 850ml in volume, it's the ideal size for breakfast for one. Looking for porridge topping inspo? We’ve got a guide for that. Available from Amazon (£5.50) Egg scrambler OXO Good Grips microwave egg cooker To some, the thought of scrambling eggs in the microwave is just plain wrong. To the fearless, however, this handy pot scrambles or ‘fries’ eggs in minutes – and the results are quite surprising. Crack an egg inside, season and seal, then pop in the microwave. After a minute, bring out the pot, release the bottom and slide the egg onto your plate. Give it a little whisk with your fork if you’re looking for scrambled eggs. This gadget does have its limitations – it’s definitely only suitable for one portion and you may find it a little tricky to whisk inside the bowl, but for a quick scrambled egg on toast job, we think it’s a winner. Available from: Lakeland (£9.99) Amazon (£10) Cling film Lakeland perforated cling film This cling film has been specially designed for microwave cooking. The tiny airholes allow steam to escape during cooking (meaning food doesn't balloon or explode in the microwave). We tried it out while cooking chicken and we were left with super juicy chicken breast, with all the moisture still sealed inside. Two thumbs up. <h4 data-config='{"shopId": 823, "isoCurrencyCode": "GBP", "isoLanguageCode": "en", "categoryIds": "", "merchantIds": "", "geolocation": false, "templateId": 1218, "price": "", "priceMin": "", "priceMax": "", "percentOffMin": "", "percentOffMax": "", "sortingField": "PRICE", "sortingOrder": "asc", "nameKeywords": "lakeland perforated cling film", "delta": "", "merchantFilter": true, "merchantNumber": 1, "sid":"", "shortenTitle":""}' id="available-from-lakeland-6-79-6e0affe3">Available from Lakeland (£6.79) On the lookout for a new machine? Check out our review of the best microwaves. Microwave recipes Microwave chilli Microwave biriyani Microwave shakshuka Microwave banana pudding Microwave chocolate cake Microwave butternut squash risotto Microwave mac 'n' cheese Related reviews Best salad spinners 30 of the best cool kitchen gadgets What's your favourite microwave gadget? Share your thoughts below... This review was last updated in February 2020.
These five dairy-free ice creams were deemed the most delicious in our BBC Good Food taste test. Spoons at the ready!
If you've yet to try vegan ice cream, you may be surprised at just how creamy it is. Although it’s made without dairy, brands are using popular milk substitutes to replicate that rich and fluffy texture – including coconut, almond and soya milk. With more and more people following a vegan diet and others finding that they're lactose intolerant, we've made it our mission to find the very best dairy-free ice cream to indulge in this summer. As there’s so much variety out there, we’ve tasted a wide range to bring you our best vegan ice creams. For more unbiased expert buyer's guides, visit our reviews section to find 200+ round-ups including taste tests of vegan ice cream and vegan 'cheese'. Best vegan ice cream to buy Ben & Jerry’s peanut butter & cookies non-dairy ice cream Vegan ice cream with best overall flavour Despite conducting our taste test entirely blind, our tasters recognised this brand straight away. With a number of decadent flavour combinations in their dairy-free range, Ben & Jerry’s are one of the only brands who have successfully replicated some of their original varieties in vegan form without losing any tastiness. We went back for seconds (and thirds) of this creamy frozen treat, with swirls of peanut butter and a generous helping of cookie chunks. Warning: this stuff is addictive. Available from: Ocado (£4.50) Waitrose (£5.50) Blue Skies chocolate & orange ice cream Best coconut milk ice creamBlue Skies have recently launched a new range of vegan ice creams which are not only dairy-free but are made with fresh fruit too. The chocolate and orange flavour was another coconut contender which topped our list of favourites – it’s delightfully creamy and rich in chocolate, with just a subtle addition of orange flavour that isn’t too overpowering. For anyone who enjoys the flavour combination, this is practically Terry’s Chocolate Orange in an ice cream. Available from Ocado (£4.99) Alpro hazelnut chocolate ice cream Best soya-based ice cream This soya-based ice cream could easily double up as a chocolate mousse – it’s just so light and fluffy. Not only that, there’s a beautiful flavour balance between the ground hazelnuts and the chocolate inside, giving it a subtle praline taste. It’s also relatively low in sugar. Available from: Ocado (£3.75) Swedish Glace smooth vanilla ice cream Best soft-serve vegan ice cream Some people think of the classic cone with a flake when they hear the words "ice cream". That's why we were delighted to stumble across a dairy-free variety with all the soft, creamy qualities of the classic soft-serve vanilla ice cream. Made with soy, this sweet treat has subtle vanilla seeds hidden inside, making it look (and taste) all the more authentic. Next time the sun is shining, scoop some Swedish Glace on top of wafer cones, and we guarantee no one will guess it’s vegan. Available from: <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100262634-14104232?sid=bbcgoodfood-304296&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sainsburys.co.uk%2Fgol-ui%2Fproduct%2Fswedish-glace-non-dairy-vanilla-750ml%3FcatalogId%3D10241%26productId%3D131840%26storeId%3D10151%26langId%3D44%26categoryId%3D428991%26krypto%3DA8gK%252BSSLAlN4JcPGhJP9%252B4KcwmADATthD2iL%252BfE9opsSNlg4VnOhpG9OGKMUJ89gFDswIkomNlxp8S%252FV7Wai99ZCseugKTB%252FSMss3QQP6cEAYXLAg7JNoVpVBL4OZyLb%26ddkey%3Dhttps%253Agb%252Fgroceries%252Fproduct%252Fdetails%252Ftop-rated-44%252Fswedish-glace-non-dairy-vanilla-750ml" target="_blank" rel="sponsored" data-id="iframe-0-anchor-11">Sainsbury's (£2.50) Asda (£2.50) What we looked for when testing vegan ice cream Dairy-free: All entries were strictly free from dairy. Taste: Although taste can be subjective when it comes to ice cream flavours, we looked for a good balance of flavours and inventive combinations. We allowed the ice creams to sit at a comfortable room temperature for a few minutes to thaw, but began tasting instantly to avoid them melting. How did an ice cream pass our test? By simply tasting as good as dairy ice cream – if not better. The perfect cream replacement: Just because the dairy has been ditched, that doesn’t mean the ice cream should taste any less creamy. We looked out for smooth and creamy varieties which could easily be mistaken for dairy ice cream. Presentation: We tested tubs and ice lollies (with a milk-alternative centre). Although presentation was important to an extent, our focus was on flavour. How we tested: A range of nationally available vegan ice creams were tested by various members of our BBC Good Food editorial team. The ice creams were all served blind, so that no brand prejudice could play a part in the judging. The ice creams were served at a cold room temperature, and tasters were encouraged to cleanse their palate between tastings. For more product picks, visit our reviews section. You may also want to check out our vegan chocolate taste test and vegan 'cheese' taste test. Check out our recipe collection for the best vegan recipes. This review was last updated in September 2020. Have you found a dairy-free ice cream that you love? Leave a comment below...
what is the difference between flat white and latte
Ever wondered what the difference is between a latte and a flat white? Or curious as to how much milk is in a cappuccino? Get clued-up with our handy guide to different coffee types.
This useful infographic simplifies confusing coffee terminology and shows you the different coffee to milk ratios in each drink. Make your favourite coffees from scratch at home with our easy recipes that take an everyday cup to the next level. The difficult part when making coffee at home is getting your milk ratios right. Some smaller coffee drinks require less milk – a machiatto or a flat white will only need between 50ml and 100ml – whereas well-known names such as a latte or a cappuccino are traditionally made with larger quantities of steamed milk, somewhere between 150ml and 250ml. To create any milk-based coffee, you should use the same process each time: steam your milk with the steamer attachment on your coffee machine (or bring to the boil in a saucepan) which will create a lovely foam on top. Next up, hold your jug closely above a cup (filled with a freshly made espresso shot) and aim towards the centre. How do you create that lovely pattern on top? As the pour quickens, the milk will fold in on itself to create an eye-catching pattern. See all of our coffee recipes and find more tips in our guide on how to steam milk at home. If you are interested in coffee gadgets, we've rounded up the best pod machines, cafetières, coffee grinders and reusable coffee cups, too, plus check out our review of the best coffee machines on test. What's your favourite type of coffee? Leave a comment below...
Planning a brunch and fancy making it boozy? We've rounded up the best brunch cocktails which will be sure to keep the fun flowing.
Catching up over dinner is a thing of the past – nowadays everyone's favourite meal is weekend brunch. With so many of us dedicating our Saturdays and Sundays to poaching eggs or making fresh waffles, it's no real surprise that our brunches are getting a boozy upgrade. Whether you're planning a group brunch with friends, or simply want to add a tipple to a late Sunday breakfast, we've got you covered with the ultimate brunch cocktails. You may also want to browse our ultimate cocktail collection and watch a video on how to make prosecco cocktails in minutes. Mimosa One of the most popular cocktails at brunch, the mimosa keeps things simple with a citrus juice base (fresh-squeezed orange juice is best) topped with a little fizz. Mix up this classic cocktail with orange juice and champagne – or use prosecco if you prefer a different sort of bubbly. Top with sparkling water for a non-alcoholic version. If you're in the mood for champagne, make sure you check out our 10 champagne cocktails you can make in minutes. Elderflower & herb cooler Our elegant elderflower & herb cooler is a simple spritz with floral flavours that extend to pretty ice cubes filled with herbs and flowers. A few carefully placed sprigs of rosemary and thyme combine beautifully with the elderflower and rhubarb cordial. Perfect for a brunch in springtime and definitely one to impress your guests with. Want to go a step further? Try making your own rhubarb cordial in four easy steps. Bloody mary Often served at the brunch table, the bloody mary is a classic vodka cocktail that packs plenty of heat and is known to help your headache if you've had a little too much to drink the night before. Learn how to make the ultimate bloody mary with our easy recipe. It's perfect with our ultimate scrambled eggs on toast. If you're a fan of vodka, check out our 10 vodka cocktails you can make in minutes. Bellini Another classic cocktail, the Bellini is served in an elegant flute and simply combines any fruit purée and prosecco. The wonder of a Bellini is that the base is interchangable so you can serve a variety of flavours such as peach, mango or strawberry. Or why not let your guests make their own flavours? If you're looking for a citrus-infused cocktail, try our orange blossom Bellini. Espresso martini If you feel brunch needs a dose of caffeine, serve espresso martinis all round. This classic coffee cocktail has become increasingly popular of late – freshly brewed espresso is mixed with vodka, a dash of coffee liqueur and sugar syrup to make a cocktail that will definitely kick-start the day. If you're looking for other coffee cocktails, why not try our dark & stormy coffee cocktail? More brunch inspiration... Try our most indulgent brunch recipes ever Check out all of our brunch recipes in one handy place More from drinks... Check out our most popular cocktails and drinks Fizz fans, take note: we've got 10 champagne cocktails you can make in minutes If your brunch is craving some caffeine, discover our best ever coffee recipes If you're looking for drinks perfect for enjoying in the sun, check out our 10 fruity cocktail recipes What's your must-have brunch cocktail? Let us know in the comments section below…
The best coffee recipes, products and tips
Whether you fancy learning how to make the perfect flat white or need help choosing which coffee machine to buy, we’ve put all our coffee recipes, tips and guides in one handy place.
Our best coffee recipes Celebrate the irresistible flavour of coffee in our range of espresso cocktails and iced drinks or munch on cappuccino cakes, tiramisu, ice creams and more. Best coffee machines Read our review of home coffee makers – we put espresso machines and pod coffee machines through their paces to bring you the best, from budget to blowout. How to steam milk for coffee Kane Statton, coffee roaster and head barista at Nude Espresso in London, shares his tips for perfecting that milky froth when making a cup at home. Best reusable coffee cups Time to wake up, smell the coffee and reduce our plastic waste – here are our favourite tried and tested reusable coffee cups. 5 ways with coffee cocktails Try these five caffeine-fuelled cocktails for the ultimate alcoholic pick-me-up, to get the party started or liven up flagging guests at the end of a meal. The health benefits of coffee Is coffee actually healthy, can caffeine boost energy and performance, and how much is too much? We look at the science behind the health claims... Check out expert barista Celeste Wong's recommendations for the best moka pots, gooseneck kettles, coffee grinders and decaf coffee to buy on our sister brand, olive magazine: Best moka pots to buy Best gooseneck kettles to buy Best coffee grinders to buy Best decaf coffee to buy More on coffee, drinks and reviews... Our cocktails & drinks section Our favourite coffee morning recipes Best coffee gadgets Top 10 brunch gadgets More gadget reviews Best kettles Best blenders Best hand blenders Best smoothie blenders Best soup makers Best stand mixers Best juicers Best sandwich toasters Best ice cream makers Best dishwashers Do you prefer to make coffee at home, or buy it ready made? Leave a comment below...
Treat yourself or someone special to a truly indulgent chocolate egg. We've picked the best luxury Easter eggs available this year to help you spend wisely.
We used to associate Easter with naff chocolate and the same eggs would appear on shelves year after year... However, more and more luxury chocolate brands are pushing the boundaries with their Easter offerings. From prosecco-filled wonders to ones that are hand-decorated, we've put our eye for aesthetics and tastebuds to the test to find our favourites in the luxury category. Limited edition Spring Bloom egg by Betty's This perfectly pearlescent egg from Betty's glimmers from every angle. Not only does it taste like a creamy Caramac bar, the egg also comes with its own stand so you can display it with pride. The royal icing bluebells, narcissi and other spring flowers have been delicately finished by hand. Available from Betty's (£30). Pink Popping Prosecco egg by Prestat Fizz fans, rejoice! This combination of smooth milk chocolate, popping candy and prosecco will add some sparkle to your Easter weekend. Take a bite and you'll start to notice the popping candy exploding in your mouth just like bubbles of prosecco on your tongue – and it actually tastes like it, too. Find prosecco-filled truffles stashed inside. Available from Ocado (£17.50). Solid egg by The Solid Chocolate Company If hollow eggs leave you feeling disappointed, this is a great choice. Solid blocks of chocolate (either milk, dark, white, Colombian or caramel-flavoured) are slotted together like a delicious game of Jenga. As with most luxury Easter eggs, it is on the pricey side, however this one weighs in at a hefty 700g, so there is plenty to go around. Dismantling it provides hours of fun, too. Available from The Solid Chocolate Egg Company (24.99). Yellow Paisley dark chocolate Easter egg by Rococo Almost too beautiful to break into, Rococo's hand-painted paisley patterned egg makes a gorgeous gift. A selection of their incredible handmade truffles, including three of their signature carres and four of their delicate handmade ganaches, are tucked inside. Available from Rococo (£27.50). Champagne extra-thick egg by Hotel Chocolat Strawberry or champagne truffles are often cloying, however, this indulgent treat from Hotel Chocolat has the perfect balance of booze, creaminess and berry tang. The egg is extra thick and comprised of half milk chocolate and half strawberry and white chocolate. Plus, the champagne truffles are gorgeous and the pretty, hat box-style packaging makes it a special gift. Available from Hotel Chocolat (£27). Hazelnut Crunch free-from egg by Booja Booja Rich and nutty, these super squidgy and indulgent, handmade truffles are sure to satisfy even the most serious chocoholic. You'd never guess that they're dairy-free and gluten-free, and they come in a beautiful box. We're not ashamed to admit they were gone within an hour... Available from Booja Booja (£24). Even more Easter treats... The best Easter eggs of 2018 The best hot cross buns of 2018 Everything you need for Easter This review was last updated in March 2018. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@bbc.com. What's your favourite Easter egg? We'd love to hear your picks...
From gluten-free bread and dairy-free milk to luxury chocolates, our expert taste tests reveal the best food and drink on the market.
Vegan chocolate taste test For people following a vegan diet or those who are intolerant to dairy, we've rounded up the best dairy-free chocolates. See the results of our vegan chocolate taste test Gluten-free bread taste test We conducted a taste test to pick the top five gluten-free breads available in supermarkets for coeliacs or those following a free-from diet. See the results of our gluten-free bread taste test Nut milk taste test Looking for an alternative to dairy milk? We blind-tested 21 that were either made from almonds, hazelnuts or cashews to find the best nut milks for drinking and cooking. See the results of our nut milk taste test Hot cross bun taste test We tasted our way through supermarket and bakery buns to bring you our top buys for Easter 2017.See the results of our hot cross bun taste test Advent calendar taste test From cheap and cheerful Christmas countdowns to budget-blowing boxes that are gifts in themselves, we've got something for everyone. See the results of our Advent calendar taste test Gluten-free supermarket food taste test Read our review of specialist gluten-free products, tried and tested with a helping hand from actress Caroline Quentin who has coeliac disease. We tried 70 products to bring you the best buys. See the results of our gluten-free taste test Christmas taste test awards Our experts spent five days tasting over 160 products from 11 national supermarkets to bring you the best food and drink to help you celebrate Christmas. See the results of our Christmas taste test awards Which food or drink should we taste next? Leave a comment below...