What is the best bought Christmas pudding?

[BelligerentGhoul]

We usually have a Duchy Originals one and they are bloomin' lovely but the price of them does make me feel a bit ill tbh, so last year we had a Waitrose one, which I wasn't fond of.

Are there any others that are really nice but perhaps not as expensive as Duchy?

[Hulababy]

I am considering trying the Heston one in Waitrose.

[Rockbird]

My mum was talking about that one. I haven't looked at it properly, I avoid lots of cherries and nuts as they're foul :o

[BelligerentGhoul]

Ooh - how much is it Hulababy? The Duchy one was around 13 pounds, I think - because dp insists on buying a humongous one, even though there are only four of us!

[Tillyscoutsmum]

Oooh - have just seen an advert for Heston's orange one in Waitrose. Looks yummy

[waterlooroadisadocumentary]

I am also thinking about buying the Heston one.

[BelligerentGhoul]

Just googled it. It looks gorgeous here

Any more tried and tested favourites? I may buy two!

[blametheparents]

I am very tempted by the Heston one, but what if it is horrible?
Therefore may have to buy two so that I can have one in reserve!

[waterlooroadisadocumentary]

I always make the Delia light pudding with boozy sauce to go with a real one.

[alfabetty]

We are considering the Heston one.

Given the level of interest I would feel justified in purchasing and tasting one now (well, when the shops open tomorrow), and reporting back.

Shall I?

[waterlooroadisadocumentary]

I may buy mine this week as well!

Are people buying the Delia Christmas cake pack. I always make a Delia cake so am considering it but it feels like cheating.

[BelligerentGhoul]

Alfabetty - the whole of Mn would await your verdict tomorrow evening, with baited breath, I'm sure.

[BikeRunSki]

I have had some fab ones from Aldi and Lidl at v low cost.

We always stock up after Christmas as DH loves Christmas pud and insists on one on his birthday in July!

[blametheparents]

I've just made my Xmas cake with the Delia cake pack.
It's a fab idea, got everything you need in the right amounts so no waste.
Cake is cooling now.
Made mine in a 23cm tin though, and cooked ot for 3 hours.
Would prefer a bigger, slightly flatter cake as it is easier to cut into portions.

[notabadperson]

lidl and aldi puddings have more fruit and nut that M&S and Tesco Finest..... (or at least did a few years ago when I compared them - take a look, honestly they are fab)

[nameymcnamechange]

I like the M&S extra luxurious one with brandy and nuts.

I really really really can't be arsed with making the blardy things. There's always so much else to do. And the children don't like it anyway!

[CherryMonster]

i like the sainsburys TTD one. its yummy

[alfabetty]

OK. I shall swing by Waitrose tomorrow and, in the interests of research, purchase a Heston pud.

We have previously had Duchy original (v good), M&S (OK), Aldi (agree, v fruity) and as a child we always had Mrs Peak's which I recall being very fine indeed.

But other puds are being mentioned. Should I sample them all in the interests of a full & comprehensive survey? [sicknesss face]

[BelligerentGhoul]

the Duchy ones really are v good. As the price is so similar, I think I'd go for a Duchy rather than risking an untried Heston, since the reason to not have Duchy was cost. But would be v interested in the results of your research!

[alfabetty]

Just looked it up. £14 and 1.2kg for Heston's. Bit much for a night in on my own No sign of a smaller one, but I suppose if you have a cram a whole orange in...

Going to try it before Xmas, but when I've got guests. Will report back but not tomorrow!

There's a small Duchy originals (500g or so) for 7.49 which is a cheaper way of having a delicious pud. On offer with G&B icecream on Ocado.....

[blametheparents]

alfabetty Don't mind coming round to sample it with you

[notabadperson]

given price of aldi/lidl puds, worth trying before Christmas just to see what you think. The only bought pudding I've ever had that was better was from Fortnum & Mason..........

[MortaIWombat]

Shhhh! Don't tell them about the Lidl puddings, notabadperson!

[DandyDan]

Lewis & Cooper -

www.lewisandcooper.co.uk/store/foodHall.asp?cid=2000086#2000086

[kateecass]

Good Housekeeping mag have Xmas pud review.

Tesco Matured with cognac 1st (£10)

2nd M&S Luxury (£8)

3rd Waitrose richly fruited (£11)

But Heston's sounds interesting. DH likes the look of it

[AuntieMaggie]

Aldi also supposedly had the best christmas cake either last year or the year before!