The best Christmas puddings for 2026 revealed, and the winner is only £7.99

Score: 85/100

This year's winning Christmas pudding has been matured for 24 months, resulting in a rich, deeply festive flavour. Packed with plump vine fruit and citrus peel, it impressed our testers with its warming spice, juicy fruit and crunchy almonds. Don't forget a generous dollop of brandy cream on the side.

Score: 84/100

As a nod to its Yorkshire heritage, this classic recipe includes a glug of local ale. Testers loved the deep, brown sugar sweetness and generous fruit, which is lifted with bright orange notes and a lick of ginger on the finish.

Score: 81/100

What sets this boozy pudding apart is its zesty citrus flavour, with pronounced clementine cutting through the sweet vine fruit and rich molasses. Testers praised the soft, moist texture, with juicy fruit and crunchy walnuts adding interest, while one summed it up as 'Christmas Day in a pud'.

Score: 78/100

A delicious twist on tradition, Morrisons has spiked this year's Christmas pud with a generous glug of limoncello, bringing a little taste of Italian sunshine to Christmas Day. Clementine and candied peel give it a refreshing, citrus-led flavour and sweetness, while plenty of fruit keeps things suitably festive.

Moist and chewy, testers described it as 'a good balance between traditional and flavoured'.

Score: 76/100

For a boozy twist on the classic, look to Aldi's well-priced pud. Testers loved the 'super fruity' flavour, with notes of butterscotch and caramel alongside gentle warming spice and a subtle kick of rum. Soft and chewy with plenty of plump fruit, it's a lighter, crowd-pleasing take on traditional Christmas pudding.

Score: 76/100

Abel & Cole gets the vine fruit-to-sponge ratio spot on here, ensuring there's plenty of booze-soaked fruit and candied peel in every bite. Fragrant Cognac, warming nutmeg and brown sugar give it a distinctly traditional feel, while zesty lemon and orange peel keep things from becoming too heavy. A very classic Christmas pud for the traditionalists.

Score: 73/100

Christmas pudding purists may want to look away now, because there's nothing traditional about this chocolate version. Dark chocolate, treacle and caramel notes combine for a rich, indulgent sweetness, while Guinness adds a delicious malty depth.

Dense and sticky, it's the perfect Christmas pudding for those who don't like Christmas pudding.

Score: 73/100

With delicate spice and subtle alcohol, this 18-month matured Christmas pudding centres around notes of brown sugar, orange peel and vine fruit. Testers enjoyed the chewy fruit and crunchy nuts, although some found the texture a little dry. Our advice? Serve with a generous dollop of brandy cream for extra richness.

Score: 73/100

With notes of orange peel, raisins and treacle, ASDA's traditional pud combines balanced sweetness with warming spice and a boozy finish. Flaked almonds add crunch to the hearty, chewy texture, making this a classic crowd-pleaser, with one tester praising its 'really traditional' flavour.

Score: 73/100

Meg Rivers’ pud impressed the panel with its spicy aroma, and testers loved the bold marmalade-like citrus notes and traditional sticky sponge. Made with brandy, sweet apple chunks and zesty citrus, it’s a premium, full-flavoured treat.

• Tesco Finest 12 Month Matured Christmas Pudding, £9 for 800g, Score: 71/100
• Daylesford Organic Christmas Pudding, £32 for 900g, Score: 70/100
• Morrisons The Best Christmas Pudding, £9 for 800g, Score: 70/100
• Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Alcohol Free Orange and Cranberry Christmas Pudding, £4.50 for 400g, Score: 70/100

Is it better to steam or microwave Christmas pudding?

All the puddings in our round-up can be either steamed or cooked in the microwave; however, many brands recommend the former for the best results.

Microwaved puddings can overheat, making them a little tough in the process. If time allows, steaming should result in a lighter texture.

Read more: How to steam a Christmas pudding

How to light a Christmas pudding

For the ultimate grand finale to your festive feast, you’ll want to light your Christmas pudding. Follow these instructions for a guaranteed flame.

• Once you’ve cooked your pudding, turn it out onto a serving plate and ensure a clear surface area.
• Gently warm the brandy in a small saucepan, before pouring it over the pudding — this way you can be confident it will ignite when you put a flame to it.
• Tip the brandy to the side of the pan before lighting.
• Point the pan away from you when pouring over the pudding.