It’s Christmas next week and that can only mean one thing - it’s time to over indulge in treats, sweets and everything in between.
Among some of the most common desserts you’ll find each and every Christmas is the yule log, the most festive chocolate cake.
Come December yule logs are available left, right and centre, with boxes stacked up high in every supermarket.
READ MORE: We compared Marks and Spencer and Aldi Christmas cakes and one 'just edged it'
But while, in theory, they should all taste pretty similar, the reality is different.
Even in the supermarkets you will be met with several options, from own-brand to popular bakery names such as Mr Kipling and Cadbury.
With so many to choose from this year, we put a number of supermarket yule logs head to head to see if there’s really a difference. Here’s what we thought.
Tesco’s Finest Hand Rolled & Decorated Belgian Chocolate Yule Log
Tesco’s Finest yule log is hand rolled and decorated, featuring “soft chocolate sponge” that is rolled with buttercream and covered in rich milk chocolate.
The cake is then hand finished with a creamy Belgian chocolate ganache.
The cake, while somewhat smaller than I expected, did exactly what it said on the tin.
From the first bite Tesco’s yule log was creamy, soft and rich. The cake was moist and had a decent balance of sponge and buttercream.
It was the mixture of milk chocolate and Belgian chocolate ganache that sealed the deal, though. Giving the cake a creamy, soft texture that wasn’t too sweet, it really was the icing on the cake.
It would make the perfect post-Christmas dinner dessert.
Tesco’s yule log serves eight.
Price: £4
Where to buy: Tesco
Rating: 5/5
Asda's Extra Special Luxury Yule Log
In my opinion, you can't beat a yule log. I'd have one once a week if I could.
Asda's Extra Special Luxury Yule Log is baked with chocolate sponge and filled with a rich, decadent chocolate flavour buttercream. It's wrapped in a milk chocolate case and covered in ganache, with gold dusted chocolate curls.
It's a decent, generous size with plenty to share - or to overindulge in because, let's face it, 'tis the season.
The cake was completely delicious, with every bite full of rich, festive flavour.
My poor dog didn't take his eyes off me the entire time I was cosied up on the sofa with a little slice. We all know chocolate is toxic to dogs, so I'd have probably felt sorry for him if it weren't so deliciously distracting.
I imagine if I'd had a bigger slice, it would have been a little sickly but having smaller portions just means it'll last longer. I'm already looking forward to having another slice after dinner.
Price: £3.50
Where to buy: Asda
Rating: 5/5
Marks and Spencer Chocolate Yule Log
M&S does Christmas food very well indeed and its Food Halls are always bustling with shoppers at this time of year.
Its Chocolate Yule Log was the most expensive we tried, priced at £6 for a 495g cake that serves six.
The chocolate sponge is filled with chocolate buttercream and covered in milk chocolate. It's also coated with a chocolate fudge frosting and finished with a dusting of sugar.
If you follow the serving suggestion and split it into six portion, you're left with a decent sized piece of cake that's a chocolate lover's dream. The buttercream is so thick and rich it's almost got almost a ganache like texture. The decoration is a little simple, especially when compared to Asda's Extra Special Luxury Yule Log, which was decorated with pretty chocolate curls and a touch of shimmer.
It's also nearly twice the price of the Asda cake, but you certainly can't fault this M&S yule log on flavour. Also a word of warning if you do buy this cake - check the best before date, because the one we bought this week was marked as best before December 20, which would be disappointing if you buying it to have on Christmas Day.
Price: £6
Where to buy: Marks and Spencer (in store)
Rating: 4/5
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