The best alternative Christmas pudding for 2024

Score: 88/100

Testers couldn’t get enough of Aldi’s decadent Christmas pudding, which combines glacé oranges, orange liqueur, mixed peel, and orange oil, for an authentic, citrus flavour that’s guaranteed to bring festive cheer. The texture was perfect, too; sticky, soft, and studded with fruit and raisins.

Score: 84/100

Christmas pudding is traditionally made with brandy; however, Meg Rivers has used gin instead — and to great effect. Our panel loved the fragrant floral aroma, plus the bright bursts of orange, jammy whole cherries and warming cinnamon, describing the texture as “just right.”

Score: 77/100

With a liberal helping of chocolate sauce running throughout, Tesco’s chocolate twist on tradition is rich and moist. The cherry element is subtle, but there was a plentiful amount of citrus peel and warming spices, which worked well against the rich cocoa. It’s delicious as is, or topped with a generous dollop of orange whipped cream.

Score: 77/100

Asda’s Christmas pud impressed with its intricate jewelled fruit topping – but, more importantly, how did it taste? Well, testers had nothing but high praise for its “rich, brown sugar sweetness” which pairs perfectly with the “complex spicing,” – cardamom, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon are all vying for attention.

It was a big hit texture-wise, too, thanks to the addition of candied figs, glacé cherries and almonds.

Score: 73/100

This is more in-line with the classic dessert, but the addition of Cointreau creates a moreish sticky texture that our testers likened to marmalade pudding, while the cranberries (along with generous raisins and sultanas) are jammy and plump. Warm and comforting, as Christmas pudding should be.

Score: 72/100

With toasted oats, sweet, dried apricots, and nutty almonds, this is like a hybrid between a classic crumble and Christmas pudding – need we say more? The brandy – along with cinnamon and cloves – brings a subtle warmth to every spoonful. Delicious.

Score: 72/100

Chocolate orange has long been a winning combination, and this pudding includes a generous sprinkling of both white and dark melted pieces, alongside orange liqueur and bursts of sweet orange peel.

The smaller serving size is perfect for couples looking to round-off their festive feast (although we won’t judge you for keeping it to yourself) and it’s nut-free, too.

Score: 71/100

Although this comes laced with rich bittersweet cocoa and orange oil, the plump vine fruit and festive spice ensure there’s no mistaking this for a proper Christmas pud. The chocolate sauce is a treat (think: festive chocolate fondant), and the touch of cider and brandy adds complexity.