Happily, we find ourselves in something of a golden age of the supermarket pudding, freeing the more reluctant cooks among us from hours in the kitchen. The best are so well made and presented that, with a little light styling (a warmed plate here, a spoonful of crème fraîche there), they can pass muster entirely as your own. What's not sweet about that?
All that's left to do is choose them wisely. A good pudding is, after all, the final note of the evening – and if it arrives looking generous and tasting excellent, nobody is going to interrogate its provenance. These are the reliable, impressive ones worth knowing about.
Waitrose
No.1 Frozen French Apple Tarte Tatin, £5.50
It's hard to overstate how good this buttery, puff pastry-encased French classic from Waitrose's No.1 range is – and we especially love its slightly rustic appearance making it all the easier to pass off as our own. Serve with a good dollop of crème fraiche or Cornish clotted cream and you're away.
Buy it.
Marks & Spencer
M&S Gastropub Chocolate Melt in the Middle Puddings Dessert
£5 (2 pack)
A dinner party classic for a reason. Rich, properly molten and deeply indulgent, these only need a few minutes in the oven before emerging as something that feels pleasingly restaurant-worthy. Decant onto warmed plates, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and, if you're feeling extra, a handful of raspberries.
Buy it.
Waitrose
No.1 Sicilian Lemon Tart, £14
Sharp yet silky, this is one of those puddings that benefits from being understatedly presented. Slice cleanly, dust lightly with icing sugar, serve with crème fraiche and allow the contrast of sweet and citrus encased in buttery pastry to do the heavy lifting for you.
Buy it.
Sainsbury's
Taste the Difference Chocolate & Salted Caramel Tart, £10
Sleek, glossy and pleasingly sophisticated, you can't go wrong with this chocolate ganache and salted caramel beauty. Serve in slender slices with a spoonful of crème fraîche or even a pinch of sea salt to sharpen proceedings up beautifully.
Buy it.
Tesco
Finest Sticky Toffee Pudding, £3.50
Deeply comforting and, we'd posit, pretty much impossible to dislike, this gorgeously gooey number is best drenched in the accompanying sauce and served with good vanilla ice cream. Do top with a scattering of chopped pecans for a restaurant-worthy final flourish.
Buy it.
Aldi
Specially Selected Salted Caramel Melt-in-the-Middle Puddings, £1.59
Exactly the sort of thing that make guests assume you've been far more industrious than you have. Ready in minutes and reliably rich, they emerge with that all-important soft middle that feels convincingly homemade. Serve straight onto warmed plates with vanilla ice cream and a pinch of sea salt.
Buy it.
Tesco
Gu-Zillionaire Cheesecakes, £3.95
Decadent to the point of excess, but that's precisely the point. Spoon into a small bowl or glass, add a few shaved chocolate curls and it suddenly reads as something you've lovingly assembled in honour of your assembly of esteemed guests.
Buy it.
Marks And Spencer
Bramley Apple Crumble, £5
A proper, no-nonsense crumble made with tangy Bramley apples and a golden, buttery topping, this is exactly the sort of pudding that feels reassuringly homemade. Decant into an ovenproof dish before reheating and serve with warm custard or a jug of cream. Who would ever know?
Buy it.
FAQs: Supermarket Puddings
Can you really pass off supermarket puddings as homemade?
Yes – provided you decant, reheat properly and add a small finishing touch (cream, fruit, nuts or a dusting of icing sugar). Presentation does most of the work.
Which supermarket desserts are most convincing?
Anything that looks slightly rustic or is served warm tends to pass best: tarts, crumbles, sticky toffee puddings and melt-in-the-middle fondants are all reliable options.
What's the easiest way to elevate a shop-bought pudding?
Warm plates, a good-quality accompaniment (think crème fraîche, clotted cream or proper vanilla ice cream) and a simple garnish – even just a few berries – make all the difference.
Should you serve desserts in their original packaging?
Never. Transfer everything to your own plates or serving dishes – ideally something ceramic or slightly worn-in – to remove all traces of its origins.
Which supermarket does the best puddings?
Marks & Spencer and Waitrose are consistently strong for classic, dinner-party-appropriate desserts, though Aldi and Tesco often deliver excellent value options that perform just as well with a little styling.
