We tried every item from Lidl's bakery — 39p item with 'no faults' was the best

Metro

3 days ago

Greggs might have the monopoly on sausage rolls in the UK, but when it comes to cheese twists, brownies and pizza slices, there's another place people head to.
Lidl's in store bakeries are the unlikely favourite of many Brits, who can't get enough of the low prices and large array of pastries, cakes and savoury items.
Don't believe me? The retailer has been crowned the UK's favourite supermarket bakery for two years running and they sell 122 All Butter Croissants every single minute.
The permanent selection of baked goods includes 41 different items, and they regularly add limited-edition treats to the range.
But which items are actually worth buying? Metro decided to find out by trying every item from Lidl's bakery – and we've ranked them all.
Below are our completely honest reviews, from the best of the bunch, to the ones we wouldn't buy again.
We scored each item out of five and have grouped all the ones with the same scores together, going from highest to lowest score, but in no particular order.
You can't go wrong with Lidl's chocolate doughnut. It's a perfect afternoon sweet treat and not overly-indulgent.
It's an underrated classic and far better than the supermarket's other doughnut options (looking at you Pink Iced Ring Doughnut). I honestly can't fault it.
Score: 5/5
Reviewed by Jessica Hamilton, lifestyle reporter
Lidl's cheese twist is particularly good – and did I mention it only costs 99p!?
The pastry strikes just the right balance between flaky and buttery, with a sharp mature cheddar filling that cuts through the richness. The only issue is I could inhale a dozen without thinking, but that's a 'me problem'
Score: 5/5
Reviewed by Jessica Lindsay, assistant lifestyle editor
Rich, fudgy and super gooey, this ultimate chocolate brownie is basically a chocolate lover's dream. Full of deep cocoa flavour with that perfect dense, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Score: 5/5
Reviewed by Anushka Suharu, audience growth editor
Being a Northerner I know a thing or two about Yum Yums – they were the 'go-to' treat when you did something good, and I was always good!
I have to say without question this was the best Yum Yum I've tried, the addition of the melted toffee in the middle has turned a once tasty treat into an absolute taste sensation. Everyone needs to try this, it was delicious!
Score: 5/5
Reviewed by Ryan Buczman, international sales manager
Like heaven in one bite… if you have an ultra sweet tooth it's totally delicious however could not finish a whole one.
Score: 5/5
Reviewed by Eve Cranston, metro partnerships team
Very good – the type of loaf that you buy 'for the weekend' and then find yourself having eaten it all just with butter by Saturday morning. Seeds give it a hint of healthy respectability.
Score: 4.5/5
Reviewed by Ross McCafferty, deputy opinion editor
Pretzel is salty and chewy, but not too tough even after sitting around for a while. There's a lovely colour to the bake and it tastes wonderful with some cream cheese. Overall, I'm a big fan it looks visually appealing and I would buy it again.
Score 4.5/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
The perfect size for a small lunch or snack where each bite provides a delicious flavour-bomb of generous globs of cheese on a pesto-slathered base.
The bread is mostly fluffy but after I popped it in the microwave for 20 seconds, the dough around the cheese went a little soggy. I would have liked a little more tomato for taste.
Score: 4.5/5
Reviewed by Mel Evans, partnerships and projects editor
Crusty on top, nice and soft on the bottom. Not the biggest roll, would be disappointing if I only had one as a sandwich for lunch, but if it was being served in a bread basket, I'd be very happy with it.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
This tastes great. It's got the right amount of chocolate filling inside and it's even better when paired with a cup of tea.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Solana Delazar, commercial team
Beautifully sweet and chewy on the inside, with a crunchy, flaky shell on the outside. It tasted fresh but would benefit from being warmed up.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Ben Nachman, sales team
If I were rating this as part of a technical challenge on the Great British Bake Off, it would probably be a bit of a fail – the blueberries have all sunk to the bottom and whoever made it hasn't been very generous with the blueberry jam filling.
However, we're not on Bake Off, so I'll let those things slide.
The muffin itself is super soft, but the crumble topping adds a nice contrasting texture, and the whole thing is just on the right side of being too sweet.
Paired with a cup of strong coffee, this would be a delightful breakfast or mid-morning treat.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
The bloomer is big, easy to slice, and light but not crumbly – meaning it'll be the perfect addition to a weekend fry-up.
I can already tell this sourdough is going to become a firm staple in our house, especially on Saturday mornings, served warm from the oven.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Chris Buswell, commercial video lead
I really liked the texture, it has a good crunch when you bite into it – it's crusty, but not too crusty.
The seeds go all the way through the bread and it's got a nice flavour. This would be top notch served warm with butter.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Kristina Beanland, lifestyle editor
If you are going into Lidl expecting the best pizza of your life then don't. But, if you are looking for an affordable, pizza option for a snack or lunch then it is brilliant.
The veg toppings taste fresh, the dough is soft (which some may dislike) but gives it a nice bread-y texture which is filling and delicious. The only real complaint is the lack of a true pizza feel, but for something tasty and cheap then you really can't go wrong!
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Tom Brown, head of platforms, social and communities
Chewy with a little crumble around the edge, super chocolatey with crunchy milk and white chocolate chips. Quite decadent but perhaps a little too rich if you've not got a massive sweet tooth.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Mel Evans, partnerships and projects editor
A soft and squidgy bun, exactly as it should be. Good icing to bun to raisin ratio – not quite as good as one you would get from an independent bakery but a very enjoyable afternoon treat nonetheless.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Ella Serer, commercial team
Looks like something you'd buy from your local bakery or cafe and it tastes pretty darn good too. Had this been garlic bread, it would have achieved full marks.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
Has flavour, does the job and overall enjoyed it however base felt slightly too soft is my only critique but I have and would buy it again!
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Tilly Preece, sales team
Not overly exciting as far as bread rolls go, but it's a perfectly solid option for a little sandwich – like a jambon beurre, or if you wanted a roll to go with a meal. It's pretty tough and crusty though, so I imagine you'd want to add lots of butter.
Score: 3.5/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
Pastry could have done with being a little more flaky, slightly on the stodgy side however there was a nice buttery taste and a generous amount of chocolate filling, overall tasty!
Score: 3.5/5
Reviewed by Carlos Nelmes, commercial travel manager
Honestly, if you gave me this and told me it came from Gail's, I wouldn't bat an eyelid. It's got a decent amount of flavour and it's a fraction of the price, so that's a win.
Score: 3.5/5
Reviewed by Kristina Beanland, lifestyle editor
Not quite like the ones you get in Portugal, but if the pastry was a bit crispier and there was a bit more flavour through the custard it would have been spot on.
Score: 3.5/5
Reviewed by Jack Moore, commercial team
Very Krispy Kreme vibes, a good classic filled doughnut but, and I can't quite believe I'm saying this, there was almost too much filling, which made it a bit too rich for one.
Score: 3.5/5
Reviewed by Ross McCaffery, deputy opinions editor
Rich cinnamon flavour which is good and the bun is light and moist, but gets a bit sticky while eating. Missing icing on top which is a shame. Good portion though.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Klein Chen, marketing executive
A focaccia that isn't hot and fresh out of the oven is a bit of a hard sell, but this one still tasted good and was nicely soft.
Can't really see where you might use it though, it's a little too garlicky for a snack on the go, and you'd feel a bit short changed getting served it with some pasta.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Ross McCafferty, deputy opinion editor
As far as pain aux raisins go, this one is mediocre at best. Like Lidl's pain au chocolat, the pastry is squishy and floppy, but there are lots of raisins inside, so that's a plus if you love those.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
It's hard to get too excited about a plain baguette, but for the price this is a decent option.
It looked slightly anaemic and didn't have the crispy crust you might expect from a classic French bread baton. That said, I was impressed by how fresh it still tasted after a day in my breadbin – a solid choice for lunchtime sandwiches.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Jessica Lindsay, assistant lifestyle editor
Like many of the other pastries, this croissant looks very pale, is rather floppy and a bit doughy.
There's not a consistent amount of frangipane all the way through, just a big lump in the middle. But it's got a strong almond taste. It's nice but not a high quality croissant.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
If you want the saltiness and firmness of a pretzel, but the texture and shape of a bread roll, look no further than the pretzel roll.
The whole thing is topped with cheese, so there's a lot going on and while it tastes perfectly acceptable, the fusion of ingredients perhaps gives the bread somewhat of an identity crisis – I didn't know whether to toast it or dive straight in.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by James Besanvalle, assistant opinion editor
As far as sweet treats go, I consider maple and pecan plaits to be an elite flavour combo. However, Lidl's take was lacklustre and leaves you with a dry and sticky mouth.
The filling is smooth and strong but the pastry is soft and stodgy, not crisp and crumbly as you would like. The pecans are a nice addition but unfortunately don't do much for the overall result.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Maria Astardjieva, deputy head of SEO
This is essentially a vehicle for fillings. Stuff it with molten cheese, some kind of sauce and meat and you'd have yourself a good panini. Not exciting on its own, rather bland and spongy, but who is just eating a panini like that anyway?
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
There is nothing worse than a hard cookie – and thankfully, this is not that. In fact, it might be too chewy. I reckon this is 5/5 when it comes out the oven but loses its moisture quickly.
Luckily for us, tea exists, and this was back up to a 5/5 once I'd given it a quick dunk.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Jess Austin, first-person and opinion editor
It would be 2/5 but it gets an extra point for looking like the Simpson's donut. It didn't really blow me away, the dough was chewy but was overall a bit bland. Still a nice afternoon sweet treat nonetheless.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Jess Hamilton, lifestyle reporter
Anyone who knows me will know that I LOVE a cookie, especially a white chocolate one, so I was pretty excited to try this one.
It was soft and chewy in the middle, looked a little under baked (which I like) and had lots of chocolate chips on top.
I loved the texture but it's not as good as an M&S cookie. There's a slightly weird flavour to the cookie itself, it almost tastes like gingerbread.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
This doughnut has a lot going for it. It's the perfect collapse-in-the-mouth texture, it's got a deliciously powdery outside that has you licking your fingers after, it's got a good dough-to-jam ratio.
What it does not have, however, is depth of flavour. I like my doughnut fillings with a bit of kick – a nice tart jam – and this jam was just nice, no tart. I'm not averse to a seed in my jam either, but alas this filling was smooth and sweet, depriving Lidl of the perfect score.
Score: 3/5
Reviewed by Jess Austin, first-person and opinion editor
Lidl's croissant is a cult bakery item, but if I'm being honest I'm struggling to see why it's so popular. I love Lidl, but this just didn't hit the mark. When I buy a croissant, I expect layers of fabulously flaky pastry – I'm looking for lovely lamination, but I can't find it anywhere here.
The pastry looked a little dry (although I'm pleased to say it didn't taste that way). It wasn't overtly bad, but a bit bland and stodgy, with only a slight sweetness to it.
Score: 2.5/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
The colour of the pastry is waaaaay too light, it looks like it needs to go back in the oven and it feels like it too – it's very soft and floppy. But there's a good amount of chocolate inside.
I wouldn't want to start my day with one of these, but it would satisfy a hunger craving in a pinch.
Score: 2.5/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
The crust on this is nice, very satisfying to cut a slice, or tear into it if you just can't wait. But the bread itself has little flavour, which is rather disappointing.
Score: 2/5
Reviewed by Kristina Beanland, lifestyle editor
This chocolate muffin is moist and has a nice texture with tasty chocolate chips BUT the gooey centre is thin and metallic and the sponge is pretty bland. It's not a terrible choice if you're in a pinch, but there are definitely supermarkets that offer more decadent, tastier versions of this treat.
Score: 2/5
Reviewed by Laura Harman, senior entertainment reporter
This roll ticks every box, except for one and sadly, it's the most important one it misses the mark with. More Trending
Floury on the outside and fluffy in the middle, this bread stayed soft and fresh for ages, but it doesn't taste as good as it looks. Ultimately it's bland and boring.
Score: 2/5
Reviewed by Courtney Pochin, specialist food writer
During Metro's taste test, we were also lucky enough to try a few limited-edition items from Lidl bakery.
These aren't currently available to buy at the supermarket, but there's always a chance they could return to shelves at some point in the future… (although, Lidl makes no promises about this).
Either way, here's a look at our top picks to keep an eye out for in case they ever do make another appearance.
A good doughnut needs no ceremony. This one had sugar, fat, and the courage to be both milk and white chocolate. The white chocolate was soft and the milk chocolate was delicious. I bit in and god help me, it was good.
Score: 4.5/5
Reviewed by Thomas Rawe, Metro account manager
Lidl's Birthday Cake Bun combines all the best elements of a doughnut (pink icing and sprinkles) with a scroll-like bun (jam-filled and soft in the middle). Sure, it's sweet – but who really wants a birthday cake that's not? The only thing that could improve this would be for the softness to extend throughout the whole bun. Supremely satisfying.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by James Besanvalle, assistant opinion editor
A well executed take on the classic school cake. Sponge was moist and full of flavour but the icing was a tad too thick to truly compare.
Score: 4/5
Reviewed by Alex Goldsmith, head of social video
While these aren't currently available, Lidl's limited-edition offering right now features a Cookies and Cream Doughnut, Tiramisu Loaf and a Pain Suisse. Yum!
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