I tested all the supermarket panettones – the winner ‘was just the right amount of fruit’ and it’s cheaper than M&S
PANETTONE has become synonymous with the festive season with many stores selling more of them than traditional Christmas puddings.
Originally made in Milanese bakeries to celebrate the start of the festive season, the traditional version should contain orange peel and raisins.
And whilst there are more adventurous flavours to choose from, the classic version is still hugely popular with some of us enjoying it for breakfast or brunch or others having it with a cuppa in the afternoon.
The sweet, airy cakes often come in a signature dome shape and are pleasantly wrapped, making them ideal gifts.
But which classic flavour is the tastiest and best value?
We asked Lynsey Hope, 42, from West Malling, Kent, to find out:
Sainsbury’s Classic Panettone
- £4.50
- 90p per 100g
For a budget option, you could do little better than this.
The panettone was incredibly light and fluffy, the texture was spot on and there was a generous amount of candied fruit throughout.
The fruit had a slightly bitter taste to it, but for the price, I loved it.
Very handy to have in the cupboard for surprise visitors over the festive season.
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall score: 9/10
Tesco Finest Authentic Panettone (750g)
- £10
- £1.33 per 100g
A little on the dry side and the fruit inside had a slightly bitter taste.
The bread tasted overly sugary and sweet.
You can buy better for less money. Not my favourite.
- Taste: 4/10
- Value: 4/10
- Overall score: 4/10
Waitrose Christmas Classic Panettone (750g)
- £12
- £1.60 per 100g
The bread of the Waitrose panettone was light, airy and delicious.
However, there was very little citrus peel and even fewer raisins.
I definitely would have liked more, especially as this one was at the higher end of the price bracket.
- Taste: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
- Overall score: 7/10
M&S Classic Panettone (750g)
- £12
- £1.60 per 100g
Made in Italy, this M&S panettone follows a classic recipe and has an abundance of candied peel and sultanas embedded in the super soft bread.
It’s pricey, but you can’t criticise the taste.
Tastes good with a tipple or a creamy coffee – delish.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 9/10
Morrisons The Best Classic Fruit Panettone (750g)
- £7.50
- £1 per 100g
I loved this Morrisons panettone.
It’s a good size and shape, had a lovely aroma and looked appetising.
It was full of fruit and the bread was generously laced with citrus peel and fruit.
It’s a great price – my only mistake was not going back for more of them.
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 8/10
- Overall score: 8/10
Asda Extra Special Classic Panettone (500g)
- £6
- £1.20 per 100g
The texture of this cake was light and fluffy and there was a generous amount of Italian candied orange eel and fruit.
It wasn’t as moist as others we tasted but didn’t mind too much given the price.
You’d never have guessed this was only £6 from Asda. Better and cheaper than Tesco.
I would have thought this was from a higher end brand.
- Taste: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
- Overall score: 9/10
Aldi Specially Selected Classic Panettone (500g)
- £3.49
- 70p per 100g
Amazing quality and price from Aldi.
This classic panettone is 90p cheaper than M&S and Waitrose per 100g and 50p cheaper than Asda.
It was darker in colour but the bread was light and fluffy and there was just the right amount of peel and fruit, which had a lovely taste.
You can’t go wrong with this – stock up before they run out.
- Taste: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
- Overall score: 10/10
Lidl Deluxe Panettone Classico (750g)
- £4.49
- 59.8p per 100g
Even cheaper than Aldi but it didn’t taste quite as good.
It had the right texture and lots of raisins but it was missing the classic citrus flavour.
You could smell it but it didn’t come through when you took a bite.
It was a bit dry and whilst a bargain price, it looked a bit dull.
- Taste: 5/10
- Value: 7/10
- Overall score: 6/10