As Christmas draws near, many households will attempt to find the perfect Yule log.
To assist shoppers in making informed decisions, we conducted a taste test, comparing Yule logs from popular retailers. Our festive feast led us to Aldi, Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury's, where we examined the flavour, texture, and overall appeal of this seasonal treat.
After our assessment, one Yule log emerged as the clear favourite, earning near-perfect marks, while others failed to impress us.
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Tesco Yule log review
- Price: £2.75
Lottie – 2/5
I was disappointed with Tesco's Yule log. It was very dry and did not have enough chocolate buttercream to make up for it. Like Sainsbury's, it had a crispy coating, but this did not taste as good as Sainsbury's version. I would not recommend spending your money on it.
Ellen – 2/5
This was better than Sainsbury's but didn't beat Aldi's in my opinion. It was still dry but had more filling to make up for the dryness of the cake. The chocolate on the outside was enjoyable but not very thick.
Ed – 1/5
Dry, not nearly enough filling, like a school dinner pudding without the custard.
Gary – 2/5
Very dry. Forgettable. Basic. Cakey.
Ryan – 3/5
This Yule log had a crisp outer shell casing which meant it held together well and added a nice contrast of textures. While the sponge veered on the dry side, the mousse swirl was wonderfully creamy and made this a tasty treat. The most well-balanced of the bunch.
Total score: 10 out of 25 – last place
Sainsbury's Yule log review
- Price: £2.09
Lottie – 3/5
I purchased the Sainsbury's Yule log at a discounted price of £2.09, marked down from its original price of £2.60. This Yule log was more traditional and featured a crispy chocolate coating that added a satisfying crunch to each bite.
Although the sponge was slightly dry, the sweet flavours were well-balanced. The chocolate-flavoured buttercream inside the log was a pleasant surprise, with just the right amount of sweetness to balance the richness of the chocolate sponge.
Ellen – 1/5
My least favourite Yule log. There wasn't much filling, it was very dry, very dry and the outer chocolate casing was thin. This yule log would need custard or cream to make it enjoyable in my opinion.
Ed – 3/5
A little bit dry and doesn't have enough chocolate on the outside.
Gary – 3/5
Even more dry. Quite chocolatey. Thin icing is a mean ratio of shell to cake. A bit cheap tasting.
Ryan – 2/5
The structural integrity of this held up as this yule log was drier and firmer in texture. Although it tried to go for a more traditional flavour, the taste was a letdown as it was too sweet and left a slightly sickly aftertaste.
Total score: 12 out of 25 – third place
Asda Yule log review
- Price: £4.00
Lottie – 4/5
Asda's Yule log was an impressive contender among festive desserts, coming in second only to Aldi. The sponge was soft and chocolate-flavoured, forming a delicious base that was crowned with a layer of dark chocolate fudge icing.
Impressively, the fudge flavour struck a delicate balance, avoiding excessive sweetness. Although Asda's Yule log has some commendable qualities, especially in its flavour profile, the sponge falls just short of the exceptional standard set by its Aldi counterpart.
Ellen – 3/5
Weirdly tasted mushroomy to me? Maybe because it was quite rich but not very sweet. The texture was probably my favourite however, it was light but still had a thick swirl inside and a soft butterscotch outside.
Ed – 3/5
It was OK, the filling was tasty and tasted a little bit like caramel.
Gary – 5/5
Loads of really thick icing which is a bit dusty at first taste but then gives way to a silky mouthfeel. A thick interior swirl. Indulgent. Almost too much chocolate. The king of Yule logs.
Ryan – 3/5
This Yule log also fell apart on my plate. This was the least sweet in flavour as the mousse was lighter and didn't pack the same rich punch I would expect from a Yule log. However, the chocolate icing was delightfully smooth and boasted a great flavour that salvaged the disappointing interior.
Total score: 18 out of 25 – second place
Aldi Yule log review
- Price: £4.49
Lottie – 5/5
The Yule log from Aldi was a delightful festive treat. The exterior was creamy and coated with a blend of milk chocolate and Belgian chocolate fudge icing. The sponge was moist, giving it a velvety texture and the chocolate-flavoured buttercream core added an extra level of indulgence to the entire experience.
Ellen – 5/5
Easily my favourite. It was rich but not sickly and I could distinguish the caramel from the chocolate taste. It was moist, cakey and not crumbly like other drier Yule logs. Can be eaten on its own and doesn't need any sort of cream or custard like some other plain, firm cakes, almost brownie-like.
Ed – 4/5
Nice and creamy with a tasty filling on the inside and outside.
Gary – 4/5
Slightly dry but with a nice swirl of buttercream that lightens it. The icing fell off immediately but has two textures in it. Quite sweet.
Ryan – 4/5
It didn't stand up to the hold test as the slice fell apart on my plate. However, what it lacked in structural integrity, it made up for in flavour as the Yule log oozed a gourmet quality and seemed to be made with high-quality ingredients.
The chocolate was thick and rich, while the sponge was moist, which gave it an artisan touch that made it a suitable way to celebrate the indulgent spirit of Christmas.
Total score: 22 out of 25 – winner
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