Best shop-bought desserts for Christmas 2014

Best… Stylish dessert

Heston from Waitrose ultimate chocolate bar dessert

The dessert of the season? This layered slice of caramel mousse, crunchy chocolate biscuit, salted caramel and nougat mousse has serious visual clout thanks to its glossy finish and defined interior.

£9.99, from Waitrose

Best… Panettone

Lidl Favorina large panettone 

We loved the buttery dough of this budget bread. It’s evenly filled with dried fruits and the bread has a nice rise to it and tears apart beautifully.

£3.99, from Lidl

Best… Party pudding

Sainsbury’s salted caramel wreath

Consisting of deliciously indulgent caramel mousse and choux pastry with chocolate decorations on top, this extra-special pud means business. The pastry has good texture and doesn’t go soggy – a winner all-round.

£12, from Sainsbury’s

Best… Stollen

Aldi Specially Selected luxury stollen

This affordable log has a thick layer of almonds running across the top and looks really impressive. It is sweet, squidgy, fruity and very moreish.

£4.99, from Aldi

Best… Christmas pudding

Lidl 18-month matured Christmas pudding

This was our stand-out favourite pudding. The flavours blend well with a hint of treacle, whole nuts and a touch of booze.

£7.99, from Lidl

Best… Special diet Christmas pudding

Sainsbury’s gluten-free Christmas pudding

This gluten-free offering is a sweet, mild pudding, with a good coarse texture and fruity flavours. This has more citrus notes than other puds we tried.

£3.99, from Sainsbury’s

Best… Family cake

Co-op Loved by Us snowman cake

This cute cake is small but enough to feed eight children. Thin icing covers good Madeira sponge with a cream and jam filling.

£6, from Co-op

Best… Christmas cake

Tesco Finest hand-decorated falling holly rich fruit cake

This cake is one elegant and boozy festive number. The double-tier, sticky cake comes with pretty decorations, soft icing and great chunks of fruit and nut.

£20, from Tesco

Best… Centrepiece

M&S Made Without Gluten Christmas cake

This cake was the most attractive gluten-free cake we tried. It has a sticky middle with an added hit of booze plus the elegant decoration would look beautiful on any table.

£12, from M&S

For more taste-tested products, equipment rundowns and buying advice, visit our review section, plus our Christmas kitchen contains everything you’ll ever need for perfect festive feasting.