Good Housekeeping Institute Unveils 2026 Easter Taste Test Champions
With Easter just a month away, the seasonal indulgence of Simnel cake, hot cross buns, and chocolate eggs is firmly on the menu. The Good Housekeeping Institute has released the results of its 2026 Easter Taste Test, following its most extensive blind taste test to date. A staggering 226 products—34 more than last year—were sampled by expert testers, providing a comprehensive guide for shoppers seeking the finest Easter treats.
Chocolate Eggs: Dark and Milk Categories Crown Winners
The research focused heavily on chocolate eggs, with 104 varieties evaluated based on four key criteria: appearance, aroma, texture, and flavour, each scored out of 100. In the dark chocolate category, Sainsbury’s emerged victorious with its Taste the Difference 'The Mint One' Belgian Dark Chocolate Egg, achieving an impressive score of 89. The expert panel praised it as a 'beautifully polished' interpretation of a classic flavour pairing.
For milk chocolate eggs, Lindt claimed the top spot with its Gold Bunny Milk Chocolate Easter Egg, scoring 86 out of 100. The panel highlighted the silky-smooth milk chocolate and noted that Easter wouldn't feel complete without Lindt's iconic gold-wrapped rabbits.
Hot Cross Buns: A Competitive Field with Surprise Winner
In the hot cross bun category, 48 varieties were tested in what proved to be a fiercely contested battle. Coffee chain Costa triumphed over supermarket rivals with its Classic Hot Cross Buns, retailing at £2.40 from tomorrow, and scoring 84 out of 100. Waitrose and Iceland followed as runners-up in the traditional category. For gluten-free options, Co-op's Free From Hot Cross Buns led the way, while Waitrose secured the kids' section with its £8.50 Choc Full Egg.
Easter Sunday Mains and Overall Supermarket Excellence
Beyond sweet treats, the taste test included Easter Sunday lunch centrepieces. Daylesford’s Organic Lamb Leg was voted Best Meat Centrepiece, and Lidl’s Honey Roast Hot Smoked Salmon won Best Seafood Main category. Additionally, a new Easter cake category for 2026 saw Waitrose's No.1 Italian Colomba Cake take the crown with a score of 83.
Overall, Waitrose was named Best Supermarket for Easter 2026, thanks to strong performances across Easter eggs, meat centrepieces, hot cross buns, and Easter cakes. Aldi was awarded the runner-up spot. Callum Black, Deputy Head of Testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute, commented on the brand's biggest ever taste test, stating, 'It’s been another huge year for Easter at the Good Housekeeping Institute with a strong performance from the supermarkets in our Easter egg taste test. Even under tough blind test conditions, our trusted grocers held their own against the biggest heritage brands.'
Full Results Summary
Dark Chocolate Easter Egg: Winner – Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference The Mint One Belgian Dark Chocolate (£10, 230g, score 89/100); Runner-up – Aldi Moser Roth Dark Ultimate Egg (£8.99, 200g, score 86/100).
Milk Chocolate Easter Egg: Winner – Lindt Gold Bunny Milk Chocolate Easter Egg (£16, 250g, score 86/100); Runner-up – Hotel Chocolat Milk to Caramel Extra-Thick Easter Egg (£34.95, 390g, score 85/100).
Best Supermarket Milk Chocolate Egg: Winner – Tesco Finest Double Layer Salted Pretzel Chocolate Egg (£15, 210g, score 81/100).
Best Children's Easter Egg: Winner – Waitrose & Partners Choc Full Egg (£8.50, 215g, score 82/100).
Best Vegan Easter Egg: Winner – Exceptional by Asda Free From Raspberry & Dark Belgian Chocolate Easter Egg (£9.97, 200g, score 82/100).
Hot Cross Buns: Best Traditional – Costa Classic Hot Cross Buns (£2.40 each, score 84/100); Best Value Traditional – By Amazon Hot Cross Buns (£1.30 for 6, score 73/100); Best Flavoured – Lidl Deluxe Triple Chocolate Hot Cross Buns (£1.49 for 4, score 85/100); Best Gluten-Free – Co-op Free From Hot Cross Buns (£2.25 for 4, score 75/100).
Easter Cakes: Best Simnel Cake – Meg Rivers Simnel Cake With Gift Tin (£38, 900g, score 86/100); Best Value Simnel Cake – Asda Simnel Cake (£3.98, 400g, score 70/100); Best Colomba Cake – Waitrose No.1 Italian Colomba Cake (£13, 750g, score 83/100).
Best Meat Centrepiece: Winner – Daylesford Organic Lamb Leg (£36, 1.5kg, score 86/100); Best Value – Lidl Deluxe Lamb Wellington (£5.99, 600g, score 84/100).
The full taste test results are available on the Good Housekeeping UK website, offering shoppers a reliable guide to exceptional Easter products for 2026.
