Our expert food team tested hundreds of products this year to bring you the 30 very best buys of 2022. Add our award winners to your shopping list and we guarantee you your tastiest Christmas ever!
TESTING THE BEST
Our food team have years of experience cooking and tasting the very best in food and drink, and review thousands of products every year. For the Christmas Food Awards they tested over 300 products. Submissions are tested blind, meaning there’s no favouritism and food is judged on its merits. We judged products on flavour, appearance, ease and innovation. >>
TASTIEST CHRISTMAS CLASSICS
Handmade Biscuiteers Mince Pies Frangipane Flavour, 6 pack, £15, biscuiteers.com Generously filled with mincemeat and topped with a decadent layer of frangipane, these are seriously good. Food editor Jess Meyer said, ‘These mince pies had a well-balanced sweetness and a satisfying texture.’
Heston Pear & Fig Mince Pies in Triple Cheese Pastry, 6 pack, £3.50, Waitrose & Partners
Perfect for those with a more savoury tooth, this twist on the classic mince pie is inspired by one of Heston Blumenthal’s personal favourites – Eccles cakes with potted Stilton. The puff pastry is laced with three cheeses, and the plump mincemeat is rich with vine fruits, Bramley apple, port and warm winter spices.
For the nontraditional
Sherry & Cognac Infused Christmas Pudding, 800g, £12.95, Booths
Judges commended the shape and glossy exterior of this Christmas pud. Traditional in flavour with large pieces of vine fruits, glacé cherries, almonds and pecans, it had a great texture, and was described as generous and decadent. Deputy food editor Rose Fooks said, ‘This has a good boozy kick and nice orange zing.’
Best iced cake
No.1 Rich Fruit Cake, 1.5kg, £18.50, Waitrose & Partners
A chic, understated design won this cake high praise, with special mention for the subtle shimmer and dainty iced pine-cone decorations. Expect flavours of orange, treacle and ginger and a moist, fruit-filled texture. Senior food writer Jessica Ransom said, ‘There’s a nice even ratio of icing to marzipan. The generous fruit helps give the cake crumb good structure for a satisfying mouthfeel.’ Rose adds, ‘It’s everything you want from a Christmas cake.’
Taste the Difference Mince Pies, 6 pack, £2.25, Sainsbury’s
The best traditional supermarket pies we tasted. The filling had an intense flavour with large chunks of fruit. Decorated with a simple snowflake design, the crisp pastry was satisfying and suitably festive. ‘These are well filled with a balanced flavour and perfect pastry thickness. I love the traditional look,’ said Jess.
INDULGENT SWEET TREATS & DESSERTS
Our team of tasters were all blown away by this yu
