Iceland has unveiled its new range of Christmas desserts for 2025, and a taste test by Reach's Rebecca Koncienzcy has identified two standout items that are well worth adding to your festive menu. While most of the offerings impressed, one particular dessert failed to hit the mark.
The first must-have is a set of chocolate profiteroles, which scored an eight out of 10. Despite being defrosted, the choux pastry remains light and retains its signature chewiness. The profiteroles are generously filled with a cloud-like cream, making them easy to polish off. However, the chocolate sauce, while tasty, could do with a quality upgrade. Overall, it was described as a cracking dessert that would go down a storm at any festive gathering.
Another highly rated dessert, also scoring eight out of 10, is a trifle-style pudding that offers a nostalgic twist on the classic. It features a dense sponge base and a light sponge on top, with a soft, custard-like cream and a sweet strawberry gel. Easy to prepare – just defrost six hours before serving – it is generous enough to feed eight people. Rebecca suggested it would be an ideal alternative for those who typically skip Christmas pudding.
The Luxury Raspberry and Pistachio Pavlova Tree, reduced from £12 to £6, also impressed with its nutty flavour and tart raspberries, complemented by light meringue and cream. Its charming tree presentation makes it a perfect centrepiece. However, Rebecca noted that the macarons at the base become soggy as the dessert thaws, and she suggested Iceland should package them separately for customers to add at home.
On the other hand, Iceland's Luxury Sticky Toffee dessert was a disappointment. The cake was too heavy even after defrosting and lacked depth of flavour. While the sauce added a hint of ginger, it was overwhelmingly sweet, tipping the balance too far. Rebecca concluded that this is one dessert she would happily leave on the supermarket shelf. All festive desserts and party foods are now available to purchase online or in-store.
