Christmas biscuits, cakes and crisps – tested by Ravneet Gill
It's that time of year again when we dive into tasting festive foods and share our thoughts – welcome to OFM's exclusive holiday taste test.
We invited pastry chef and Junior Bake Off star Ravneet Gill to sample a selection of seasonal cakes, cookies, and crisps, and she enthusiastically took on the challenge. Here are her insights…
Aldi's Musical Biscuit Tin Nutcracker Delight
These are classic chocolate chip cookies that use oil instead of butter. The tin that plays music is adorable, but I wouldn’t personally gift it to anyone. ★★
M&S Food All-Butter Shortbread Gift Tin
£8, 230 grams, Marks & Spencer
These have an incredible aroma. They’re delicious, rich, and flaky cookies, but I have to take off some points for the tacky light-up tin they come in. ★★★
Sainsbury’s Chocolate: Biscuit Tree Tin Delight
The packaging is quite charming, but the cookies lack flavor. They’re okay if you’re just looking for that enjoyable crunch, but they don’t offer much beyond that. ★★
Asda's Gingerbread And Caramel Snow Cake
£12, accommodates 16 people, available at asda.com
This cake has three delightful layers that combine the flavors of spices, ginger, and sticky toffee pudding. It's moist and not at all dry, making it a lovely addition to any office Christmas party. I’d give it a solid four stars!
Tesco Finest Sticky Toffee Cookie Tin Review
The tin is really stylish and attractive. However, the biscuits are wrapped in a rather plastic-like material, which isn't great. They're also tough to chew, and I can't manage to eat the whole thing. The flavor is overly sweet, almost like syrupy molasses. ★
Spiced Salted Caramel Biscuits From Selfridges
I really enjoy the cardboard packaging. The flavor reminds me of a delicious, crispy biscuit coated in smooth milk chocolate. They have a premium feel; I would happily share these with a good friend. ★★★★★
Waitrose Snowman Cupcakes: Sweet And Fun!
£4.50 for a pack of four, available at waitrose.com.
They’re perfect for a celebration! The cupcake itself is soft and has a lovely moist texture, which I really enjoy. However, the frosting is quite sugary. It’s definitely not something you’d choose to eat if you had options. ★★
Fortnum & Mason's Festive Merilossus Biscuits
These are gorgeous! I would be thrilled to receive one as a present. If you enjoy bold flavors, these are perfect for you. Simply scrumptious! ★★★★
Aldi's Belgian Chocolate And Salted Caramel Cake
Fantastic cake! I’d heat it up and pair it with some cold cream. It’s really sugary, but it’s perfect for a celebration. ★★★★★
Marks & Spencer's Chili Dark Chocolate Tortillas
They remind me of something you'd find at a fancy deli. I'm tempted to rate them five stars... but wait. They're making my throat burn. Yikes. I can't stand the heat from the chili. ★★
Delicious Camembert And Black Garlic Crisps
Strong-smelling cheese—it's bold and noticeable, which I really enjoy. The chips are thin and would pair perfectly with dips. I would definitely serve these. ★★★★
Tesco Finest Cheddar And Apple Chutney Crisps
It's somewhat dry, but the taste is excellent—it's a delightful blend of onion and chive with a tangy, creamy kick. Very tasty! If you had guests over, this would be a hit. ★★★★
Waitrose Turkey & Stuffing Tortilla Chips
As you unwrap the package, a pleasant scent of pine and rosemary fills the air, but the flavor is disappointing. It has a dull, chalky texture of tortilla with just a hint of herbs. Not good. ★
Aldi's Camembert, Chilli & Honey Crisps
These have an aroma similar to that of a mince pie pastry. The texture is excellent, but the flavor is quite unpleasant. The sweetness completely overwhelms the entire experience. ★
Lidl's Deluxe Truffle Parmesan Crisps
Absolutely! Truffles combined with cheese is amazing! If you enjoy truffles, this is definitely for you. I'm a big fan of truffles, so this makes me very pleased. The flavor is bold but not overwhelming. ★★★★
Ravneet Gill's newest release is titled "Baking for Pleasure" (Pavilion, priced at £26). Every recipe was tested without prior knowledge to ensure unbiased results.
