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The best simnel cakes and Easter desserts to buy this year that taste as good as home baked
Get the kettle on, these are the best supermarket bakes, according to our tasting panel
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
Easter wouldn’t be Easter without toasted hot cross buns slathered in butter, an indulgent chocolate Easter egg (or two) and a delicious slice of fruity simnel cake with a hot cup of tea. But it’s fair to say, a simnel cake isn’t a straightforward bake.
So, if you don’t have the time or the inclination to make your own (no judgement here!), we’re here to help. Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have found the best shop-bought versions to buy instead.
Best Easter cakes 2026
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Best supermarket simnel cake
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Hand Decorated All Butter Simnel Cake 854g
Read review
Read more: Call off the search – we've found THE best hot cross buns for Easter 2026
What’s the difference between simnel cake and Christmas cake?
While traditional Christmas cake tends to be a rich, boozy, fruity affair, simnel cake is a slightly lighter take, albeit with the tasty addition of a marzipan middle and, traditionally, 11 marzipan balls on top (one for each of the apostles, excluding Judas).
It’s not the only option at Easter, though. We’re seeing the Italian colomba cake growing in popularity too. It’s like a panettone, minus the raisins, and colomba means “dove” in Italian, a symbol of peace.
How we test Easter cakes
We sampled a standout selection of Easter cakes from the leading supermarkets and bakeries, judging each on flavour, texture and balance. We were looking for slices that were richly spiced and treacle-sweet, with a light sponge packed with plump fruit and just the right ratio of nutty marzipan.
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Meg Rivers Simnel Cake with Gift Tin 900g
Meg Rivers Simnel Cake with Gift Tin 900g
Score: 86/100
Meg Rivers’ simnel cake stood out for its beautifully hand-decorated marzipan top and deeply moreish flavour. Testers likened it to a well-made Christmas cake, thanks to its complex spicing. The texture delivers, too, with crunchy almonds, glacé cherries and a generous extra layer of marzipan in the middle, producing a seriously satisfying slice.
Waitrose No. 1 Italian Colomba Cake 750g
Score: 83/100
If panettone is your festive weakness, consider this your excuse for a second helping – with an Easter twist. While a colomba skips the raisins, this authentic Italian bake is just as buttery and luxurious. Testers loved the generous candied peel scattered throughout the light, fluffy dough, which is topped with a sweet hazelnut frosting. Best enjoyed with a hot coffee, just as the Italians do.
Apostle Simnel Fruit Cake 1kg
Apostle Simnel Fruit Cake 1kg
Score: 82/100
Granted, Bettys’ simnel cake isn't cheap, however the generous one kilo bake is ideal for feeding a crowd and makes a lovely gift. Our experts were instantly won over by its incredible aroma – that will be the toasted marzipan! – and confidently spiced fruit sponge with treacle-like sweetness. A classic choice for traditionalists.
Score: 81/100
Cambridge-based bakery Fitzbillies puts a modern spin on the classic simnel with this easy-slice cake bar. Sweet and buttery, testers compared the flavour to a Madeira sponge. It comes studded with dried fruit and finished with a rich marzipan topping.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Hand Decorated All Butter Simnel Cake 854g
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Hand Decorated All Butter Simnel Cake 854g
Score: 80/100
Exceptionally moist with a warm, inviting fragrance, this cake fills the kitchen with notes of golden syrup, ginger and clove, straight out of the pack. Our testers enjoyed the sweet, rich marzipan centre, which holds the juicy vine fruit together beautifully.
Score: 77/100
Tesco’s all-butter bake has a tea-cake-like texture. Its marzipan was slightly drier than others on test, but the dried cherries bring a welcome hit of acidity, lifting the ginger and cinnamon notes and keeping each bite warming without feeling too heavy. We’ll pop the kettle on.
Score: 74/100
With sweet citrus notes, soft spicing and a sugary marzipan finish, our panel found Morrisons’ simnel cake “easy-going” rather than rich – making it a great option for everyday elevenses.
Available 16 March 2026
Score: 70/100
This was the smallest cake we tested, making it ideal if you’re the only one in the household partial to fruit cake. Testers described it as “sweet” and “satisfying”, featuring concentrated vine fruit, intense orange peel and a boldly flavoured toasted marzipan layer at the centre.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
