I tried 14 supermarket Yule logs to find the best for 2025

Finding the perfect Yule log for Christmas can be tricky, especially if you’ve got friends and family visiting. Some people will be chocolate haters, while others will find certain flavours too sweet. For those wanting to find the best Yule log this Christmas, I have sampled 14 Yule logs from Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose, Morrisons, Co-op and Asda to find out which ones were the best. While some were more high-end, I also sampled a few that were under £5, so you should be able to find an option that suits your budget this Christmas.

When it came to scoring each Yule log, I rated each one based on flavour, texture, overall presentation and value for money. I also sampled each slice by itself with no other accompaniments such as cream or custard. I was accompanied by one other taster to ensure each score was fair. The overall winner beat the likes of Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Co-op to the top spot thanks to its white chocolate mousse filling and moist sponge.

Budget buys

For those on a strict budget this Christmas, these options from Tesco and Sainsbury’s are perfect. For less than £3, you can get a perfectly fine chocolatey Yule log that has everything a Yule log should have — rich buttercream, a light sponge and a crispy shell of milk chocolate.

Sainsbury’s Chocolate Yule Log — £2.95

The sponge in this one was quite dry, dense and sweet, but there was a lovely casing of chocolate enrobing the sponge that was crisp and rich. The presentation was basic with a good dusting of icing sugar on the outside that added an extra crunch. The buttercream was a bit cloying and sweet, but paired with some whipped cream, this wouldn’t be too noticeable. The price is very affordable and perfect for those on a tight budget this Christmas.

2/5

Tesco Chocolate Yule Log — £2.95

This one had a surprisingly light sponge that was a bit dry but managed to maintain its sponginess rather than turning dense. The chocolate was very sweet and rich, and the chocolate shell was broken on opening, which made it less aesthetically pleasing. This had a slightly richer, more chocolatey flavour than Sainsbury’s budget offering, and it was also larger. This is the best value for money of the two affordable options I tried, and when paired with a cup of tea, it makes the perfect after-dinner treat.

2.5/5

Luxurious chocolate Yule logs

If you’re after something a bit special this Christmas, look no further. I’ve sampled offerings from Lidl, Aldi, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose and Co-op at different price points to find the best-tasting logs that are also the best value for money.

Lidl Deluxe Chocolate Yule Log — £4.99

The dark chocolate frosting on Lidl’s Yule log was rich without being cloying and had a lovely, sharp, dark chocolate flavour. I personally really enjoyed the rich dark chocolate, but my other taster found it a bit overwhelming. If you’re not a fan of dark chocolate, you may prefer some of the other supermarket offerings. The sponge itself is a bit dry, but the generous layer of frosting makes up for it. The presentation is simple yet attractive, but the packaging falls short. The box could look a bit more premium, in my opinion, and the cake could have been more securely packaged. Unfortunately, the cake was a bit messy by the time it reached my kitchen, but this didn’t affect the delicious, decadent flavour and could have been down to how it was delivered. Overall, for under a fiver, this tastes great without breaking the bank.

3.5/5

Aldi Specially Selected Belgian Chocolate Yule Log — £9.99

This was a delight to tuck into. It was light, rich in cocoa flavours and very moist. Unlike some of the other cakes, this one is quite similar to a Swiss roll, as it doesn’t have a chocolate shell, but rather chocolate ganache and shavings. The centre is a white chocolate mousse that was surprisingly light and not too rich. Overall, the flavours were well-balanced, the textures were soft, and it had the perfect balance of sponge, ganache and mousse. The overall presentation was good, although it could have been a little more refined for the price. At £9.99, this is on the more luxurious end of the scale, which I didn’t expect from Aldi. If you don’t want to spend a tenner, then there are other cheaper options that are just as good. However, if you are planning to cater for eight or more people and you’re after a dessert that’s light and not too rich, this is the perfect option, and is, in fact, my favourite cake on the list.

5/5

Morrisons Chocolate Fudge Yule Log — £5.50

This was a lovely, decadent cake with a light sponge and a beautiful, generous layer of fudgy frosting. It’s also a showstopper with chocolate curls on top and gold glitter. The cake was a tad on the dry side, but the chocolate-flavoured buttercream made up for that. What I enjoyed most about this was the depth of flavour in the frosting — you could really taste the fudge and Belgian chocolate, and it wasn’t too sweet or cloying. However, my other taster found the icing a bit too sweet, so this could be a matter of personal preference. Overall, this would make a brilliant centrepiece, and at just £5.50, you could afford to buy some mince pies and a Christmas cake too.

4/5

Tesco Finest Belgian Chocolate Yule Log — £6.50

Tesco’s more premium offering resembled a quintessential Yule log. Dusted with icing sugar, it’s simple but beautifully presented and would make a stunning centrepiece. The sponge was soft but a bit dry and crumbly for my taste. However, another taster enjoyed the sponge’s texture, so this could be down to personal preference. The chocolate-flavoured buttercream was pleasantly sweet, but nothing to shout about. While I did enjoy the milk chocolate coating and Belgian milk chocolate ganache, I felt it lacked depth of flavour. It was sweet, but it could have had a more pronounced cocoa flavour. The price is reasonable at £6.50, but I personally preferred Morrisons’ offering, which is £1 less. If you’re after a classic yule log without any extras, this is a great choice.

3/5

Waitrose Triple Chocolate Yule Log – £18

Waitrose’s offering was soft, moist and had a lovely balance of sweet and chocolate flavours. I particularly enjoyed the Belgian chocolate sauce and cream in the centre. This was beautifully decorative too, with white and dark chocolate curls and gold glitter on the top. If it wasn’t for the price (£18), it would get full marks. But, like a lot of people at the moment, I can’t justify spending almost £20 on a Christmas dessert this year, no matter how delicious it is. If you are planning to splurge this year, Waitrose’s offering won’t let you down. However, if you’re looking for a similar version that’s slightly cheaper, I’d recommend Aldi’s Belgian chocolate Yule Log, which the other taster actually preferred anyway.

4/5

Co-op Irresistible Hand Decorated Chocolate Yule Log — £6

Co-op’s Yule log was a welcome surprise. I must admit, I haven’t shopped at a Co-op in years and had forgotten how incredible the quality of their food is. This yule log really was irresistible. The sponge was light and soft, the ganache was smooth and luxurious, and the milk chocolate was creamy and of good quality. The presentation is what you’d expect: a well-decorated, thick ganache with a dusting of icing sugar. It’s not a show-stopper by any means, but it’s a simple design that looks lovely and festive. What shocked me the most about this was the price. At £6, and at this standard, Co-op’s Yule Log is a great choice.

4.5/5

Exceptional by Asda Chocolate Yule Log — £5.47

This was an unexpected triumph for Asda. The dark chocolate Belgian buttercream was a welcome surprise after tasting multiple milk chocolate offerings from other supermarkets. The frosting was a touch lighter than Lidl’s yule log and had a moister sponge, which certainly bumped it up a point. The chocolate casing remained intact while I sliced it, adding extra texture to each slice, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The presentation was pretty standard, but something about this cake kept me going back for more.

4.5/5

Aldi Specially Selected Yule Log with Milk Chocolate Fudge Icing — £5.29

Aldi is offering two chocolate Yule logs this Christmas. This one is more affordable and includes a delicious milk chocolate fudge icing. The sponge was moist, the icing was sweet and flavourful, and the chocolate-flavoured buttercream was rich and creamy. Overall, this was a lovely cake with great flavour at an affordable price tag. The fudge icing could be too sweet for some, but I personally didn’t mind it. I preferred Aldi’s other option, but that is on the pricier side, so this is more appealing for those on a budget.

3.5/5

Other flavours

If you’re not a big fan of rich chocolate or are simply looking for something a bit different, some of these options might appeal to you. From Aldi’s white chocolate and raspberry Yule log to Asda’s decadent Black Forest Yule log, there’s plenty to choose from.

Aldi Belgian White Chocolate, Raspberry and Pistachio Yule Log — £9.99

I was quite excited to try this, but was left disappointed. The white chocolate flavour was overwhelming, and the pistachio mousse was non-existent. The raspberry sauce somewhat came through, adding a hint of sharpness to balance the white chocolate. If it weren’t for the pistachios on top, I wouldn’t have known there was a pistachio mousse. Pistachio has been the flavour of 2025, so I was expecting a big nutty hit. The sponge was light and moist, and the presentation was lovely. If you’re not a fan of rich, decadent chocolate, then this is a great alternative as it felt lighter than some of the other cakes I tried. For £9.99, it’s also on the more expensive end of the scale. Overall, it lacked depth of flavour but had a nice presentation and would appeal to those who dislike rich milk chocolate.

2/5

Asda Black Forest Yule Log — £13.38

To start with, I wasn’t sure about this one, but as soon as I tucked into the second slice, I was hooked. The black forest flavour is beautiful. The morello cherry jam is sharp and sweet, cutting through the sweet chocolate fudge frosting perfectly. The cream is light and airy, giving the cake a lovely texture that isn’t at all dense. The presentation was a bit messy when I opened the box, but I suspect this could have been down to me jiggling the package a bit hard when I ran up the stairs. It has a lovely red, glittery decoration on top, which I think would look rather striking at the centre of a Christmas table. Overall, I think this is a great option if you’re after something a bit different. However, at £13.38, it is on the pricier side.

4.5/5

Asda Candy Cane Yule Log — £5.98

Asda’s non-chocolate offering reminded us of birthday cake. The vanilla buttercream was overly sweet, the cake was dry, and the decorations were slightly underwhelming. However, if you have lots of little ones joining you this Christmas, this could be the perfect dessert option. It’s inoffensive, sweet and would work well in a bowl with some squirty cream. Overall, it was my least favourite slice in the line-up, but my other taster said it appealed to their inner child. And at just £5.98, you could easily grab another, more grown-up dessert for the adults.

2/5

Tesco Finest Red Velvet Yule Log — £7

Tesco’s white chocolate and red velvet Yule log has a full-fat soft cheese frosting, a delicious white chocolate ganache and dark chocolate shavings. This had a light sponge with a thick layer of ganache that leaned towards being too sweet. The cream cheese frosting provided a lovely tanginess that cut through the sweet sponge. The presentation is very festive with the red sponge contrasting beautifully with the white ganache once you cut into it. Overall, this is a lovely alternative to a rich chocolate Yule log, but it may be too sweet for some.

3.5/5

The verdict

Aldi’s Specially Selected Belgian Chocolate Yule Log came out on top thanks to its perfect balance of sponge, ganache and mousse. Priced at £9.99, it’s on the pricier side, but is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

If you’re after something a bit special, then I’d highly recommend Waitrose’s £18 Yule log or Asda’s Black Forest Yule Log (£13.38). Both are rich and decadent and are sure to leave your guests coming back for more.

For those on a budget this Christmas, I’d suggest Morrisons’ or Asda’s Yule logs. They’re both delicious and are priced under £6.

All prices are correct at the time of writing.