The best Aldi Christmas dessert tastes more expensive than it costs
It's almost the most wonderful time of the year, which means many things to many people – but for foodies, there's one specific point of tension that never fails to rear its ugly head each December.
We're not talking about the contentious Christmas pudding or traditional fruitcake. Quite frankly, that's a whole other beast.
No, we're talking about the other sweet treats – some comprised of the controversial spiced fruit mince mixtures, some not – that inevitably get put on the table for everyone who's not a purist.
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Christmas desserts can be a contentious topic, with not everyone loving fruit mince-based treats. Supplied
Tarts. Pavlova. Trifle. Cheesecake. Rocky Road. Gingerbread. Shortbread. Candy canes... the list goes on.
When all the attention and preparation time naturally diverts to the mammoth mission that is mixing and maturing fruit mince, however, the smaller offerings can fall to the wayside.
But not if ALDI has anything to say about it.
The budget supermarket chain dropped their range of no-fuss festive desserts in stores in late November, with four new products returning alongside their suite of award-winning classics.
They may be award-winning – and all cost less than $8 – but do they truly live up to the homemade? 9Honey Kitchen is on the case.
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ALDI's range of Kringle & Co sweet Christmas treats are not limited to Christmas pudding. Supplied
The short answer is yes, ALDI's Kringle & Co Christmas tarts generally taste like they should be more expensive than they are.
The longer answer, however, varies from product to product.
While all who taste tested the tarts agreed each one's pastry was "delightfully crumbly", when it came to the filling, there were strong – and divided – opinions.
Overwhelmingly, taste testers were impressed with the sheer amount of non-fruity Christmas desserts on offer, but they found the Lemon Tart just couldn't compare to the other desserts.
"Lemon curd would be better," one critic opined of the jelly-like filling.
Another taste tester agreed, noting how it has a "great lemon flavour" but they'd prefer a lemon curd.
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The Berry Tarts were deemed simply perfect, and were the favourite over the Lemon Tarts. Supplied
ALDI's Salted Caramel Tarts came in a close second. Supplied
Next came the 2022 Canstar Blue award-winning Traditional Fruit Mince Pies, which have a "good consistency".
"I don't like mince pies but these are alright, they're cinnamony," one taste tester said.
High praise.
Then came the true battle, with the Berry Tarts and Salted Caramel Tarts neck and neck at the finish line.
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9Honey Kitchen's very official ranking of ALDI's Christmas tarts, based on taste. Supplied/Nine/Polly Hanning
The Berry Tarts ultimately won, though the Salted Caramel Tarts – best served at room temperature, according to one fan – came a close second.
There was a suggestion by one taster that there was "a little bit too much salt" on the top, but noted they were splitting hairs.
As for the "delicious" Berry Tarts... they are, according to our official scientific test, simply perfect.
"I could eat an entire pack in one sitting," one taste tester said.
"Serve with whipped cream and it would be an amazing hors d'oeuvre," another noted.
Best ALDI Christmas tarts, ranked by taste
- Berry Tarts – $5.69 (nine pack)
- Salted Caramel Tarts – $6.49 (six pack)
- Traditional Fruit Mince Pies – $3.39 (six pack)
- Lemon Tarts – $5.69 (nine pack)
Does this Very Important Research change your mind about which Christmas dessert you're going to reach for on the dinner table? What would you like us to investigate next?
Contact Bronte Gossling at bgossling@nine.com.au.
