Creating the perfect Christmas feast is a challenge, especially when it comes to the grand finale. For those hosting guests who dislike traditional Christmas pudding or simply want a variety of sweet treats, Iceland has unveiled a range of new desserts for the 2025 festive season.
The Festive Taste Test
Reach's content editor, Rebecca Koncienzcy, put four of Iceland's top new offerings to the test on 26 December 2025. Her mission was to find brilliant alternatives for the Christmas table and identify any potential festive letdowns. The results, originally reported by the Express, revealed a mix of genuine crackers and one dessert best avoided.
The High-Scoring Winners
Two desserts emerged as clear favourites, each earning a solid eight out of ten from the reviewer.
The Belgian Chocolate Profiterole Star, reduced from £10 to £5, impressed despite being a defrosted product. The choux pastry retained a light and pleasingly chewy texture. While the chocolate sauce was deemed tasty but could be higher quality, the profiteroles were generously filled with a cloud-like cream. The presentation was excellent, and the convenience of simply defrosting it scored highly.
The Iceland Strawberries and Cream Bauble, priced at £4.75, was another success. Requiring six hours to defrost, it offered a fuss-free serving experience. The dessert featured a dense sponge base with a lighter sponge through the middle, essentially creating a fruit-free trifle. Rebecca praised its nostalgic feel, delicious custard-like cream, and sweet strawberry gel, marking it as an ideal Christmas pudding substitute.
A Festive Tree with One Flaw
The Luxury Raspberry and Pistachio Pavlova Tree (was £12, now £6) received a respectable seven out of ten. Rebecca commended the excellent nutty pistachio flavour, which paired perfectly with tart fresh raspberries, and the classic combination of light meringue and cream. The tree-shaped presentation was charming.
However, a packaging issue held it back from a higher score. The macarons attached to the dessert became soggy upon defrosting because they were placed too close to the cream. Rebecca suggested that Iceland package the macarons separately next year for customers to add at home.
The Festive Disappointment
Not every dessert could hit the mark. The Luxury Sticky Toffee Cottage, costing £8, was a stark disappointment, scoring a lowly two out of ten.
While it had visual appeal and the caramel sauce provided a pleasant ginger hint, the cake itself was the problem. Even after defrosting, it was too heavy and lacked depth of flavour. The sauce was also criticised for being overwhelmingly sweet, tipping the balance too far. This is one dessert Rebecca would recommend leaving on the shelf.
Verdict for the 2025 Festive Table
For hosts looking to simplify their Christmas preparations without sacrificing taste, Iceland's 2025 lineup offers some reliable solutions. The Belgian Chocolate Profiterole Star and the Strawberries and Cream Bauble stand out as excellent, crowd-pleasing options. The Pavlova Tree is a good choice with a minor caveat. However, the Sticky Toffee Cottage is one to skip to ensure a sweet end to your festive meal.
All these festive desserts and party foods are now available to purchase both online and in Iceland stores nationwide.
