M&S Spirit of Summer White Chocolate and Sicilian Lemon Cookies

I was really looking forward to these - my two favourite things; lemon and white chocolate!

As I opened the packet, I was met with a lovely lemony smell. Lovely chunks of white chocolate with strips of lemon zest.

It went downhill from there. Normally, I LOVE the All butter M&S cookie range. However, the texture of these was much harder and crispier than the other flavoured cookies. I think they used a different recipe to allow for the lemon extract to be used - which will change the consistency and ultimately the texture of the finished product. Either that, or I just got a bad batch.

I also thought the lemon was overpowering - instead of being tangy against the white chocolate I found it very sickly sweet. Perhaps a lemon juice or even just the zest would work better. The white chocolate chunks were nice, though!

Price: £2 for ten

Rating: 2/5

M&S Spirit of Summer Valencian Orange and Almond Cupcakes

These cute little cupcakes are part of the Spirit of Summer range at M&S.

Although pretty to look at, the wrapper was a bit annoying as I struggled to get each cupcake out nicely. I could smell the lovely orange as I unwrapped each cupcake.

The cupcakes were lovely and fluffy, very light, moist and buttery with a beautiful almond flavour and tangy orange zest. 

The zesty orange frosting was also lovely - perhaps a little too much but it was still delicious.

Overall, the flavours of almond and orange worked really well together, and I would definitely buy these again.

Price: £2 for two

Rating: 5/5

M&S Spirit of Summer Orange Eclairs

M&S seem to be doing a lot of orange flavoured desserts and cakes this year. I also saw some coffee eclairs, but I decided to not be too much of a greedy guts and just got these. (I will try the coffee ones at some point!)

I have to say, they are little works of art. I loved the glossy and shiny white chocolate glaze and the chocolate decoration.

The choux pastry was lovely and light with a slightly crispy outside -perfect. The orange mousse was lovely and tangy with pieces of orange zest. It was lovely and tangy - very refreshing. The white chocolate glaze was a great choice to offset the sharp tangyness of the orange.

I'd say these were a lovely summery, light alternative to a chocolate eclair, and I can't wait to try the coffee flavour!

Price: £2.50 for two

Rating: 4/5

M&S Sunken Chocolate and Valencian Orange Cheesecake

I’m not a big fan of most of the m&s cheesecakes; I find them pretty tastleless and medicore for the price. Nevertheless, I decided to try this Sunken chocolate orange cheesecake as it looked so delicious. I wasn’t disappointed!

The chocolate cheesecake itself had a lovely fluffy mousse like texture, with a beautiful chocolatey taste. The plump, juicy orange segments were a nice addition, although weren’t necessary as the chocolate flavour was so scrumptious. I loved the chocolate biscuit layer too; it tasted like a chocolate cookie.

This cheesecake was absolutely delicious and I would definitely buy it again. I just hope M&S don’t discontinue it.

Price: £4.50

Rating: 5/5

M&S Swiss White Chocolate Ice Cream

My eyes lit up when I saw this – there was also only one left, so I knew I had to grab it. If you don’t already know, white chocolate is my favourite thing, I love it.

This ice cream had a lovely silky smooth texture with a lovely rich creamy taste. But, I couldn’t really taste the white chocolate. I looked on the back, and it only contains 15% white chocolate, so it’s no surprise really!

I also noticed a strange honeycomb type flavour, which I later found out is probably from the demerara sugar. I have no idea why they thought that was a good idea. 

Anyway, I was a little disappointed at the lack of white chocolate taste, but this is still a really nice ice cream with a lovely silky texture. I don’t think I’d buy it again though.

Price: £4.00

Rating: 3/5

M&S Mac 'N' Cheese Bites

I wasn't expecting much from these, but I was really surprised! 

Little Macaroni tubes in a delicious buttery cheese sauce. The breadcrumbs were lovely too; light and crispy. I would definitely buy these again!

Price: £3.00

Rating: 5/5

M&S Spirit of Summer Peach Roulade

I have been eyeing up these fresh cream roulades for quite a while. They sometimes do a passion fruit one, but they didn't have any so I picked up this peach one instead.

I love the little orange pattern on the top! I really liked that the roulade came with greaseproof paper which made it so easy to lift out of the container - I was worried I might mess it up but this made it easy. It was really easy to cut, too.

A lovely light and airy sponge, along with little chunks of tangy but sweet peaches and peach sauce. I wasn't fussed on the cream - I think it needed some sugar! 

I was expecting this dessert to be heavy and indulgent, but it really wasn't. If you don't have much of a sweet tooth, or if you like light/tart desserts, I think you'd enjoy this. It was pleasant enough, however, I wasn't hugely fussed as it wasn't sweet enough for my liking!

Price: £2.50

Rating: 3/5

M&S Gingerbread Viennese Creams

I had high hopes for these, but I was really disappointed. They were nice and fragrant, melted in the mouth, but the cinnamon and gingerbread spices were overwhelming. I thought they tasted like soap! I couldn’t really taste the buttercream, either. I won’t buy these again.

Price: £1.75 for eight

Rating: 2/5

M&S Turkey Feast Sandwiches

A feast indeed! Roast turkey breast, with pork, sage and onion stuffing, smoky bacon, cranberry chutney and mayonnaise on soft malted brown bread.

A lovely tasty and filling sandwich with generous slices of roast turkey and bacon, however I felt it needed some extra cranberry chutney and/or mayonnaise as the turkey and stuffing combo made it quite dry.

Price: £3.25

Rating: 4/5

M&S Frangipane Mince Pies

I had my first taste of a frangipane mince pie last year *cough* Aldi *cough* and they were divine. This year I decided to try the M&S ones. I have to say M&S had a good selection of mince pies this year, including iced top, puff pastry and these frangipane ones.

I noticed that these mince pies were quite shallow compared to others, they didn’t have as much filling. The pastry was very dry and not very buttery. The mincemeat was nice, full of flavour and juicy sultanas. The frangipane was lovely, and the flaked almonds were a nice touch.

However, I still preferred the ones from Aldi, so I don’t think I’d buy these again.

Price: £2.50 for six

Rating: 3/5

M&S Turkey and Pigs in Blankets Sandwiches

There were a lot of these sandwiches reduced at my local M&S, I was a little put off by this, thinking that they may be disgusting. However, I was pleasantly surprised! 

The filling contained slices of pork sausages, smoked bacon, roast turkey breast, cranberry chutney, spiced mayonnaise and spinach leaves, all on a sage and onion bread.

It was all very tasty and filling, although I felt it needed a little more of the cranberry chutney. There was a generous amount of meat in the sandwich. I thought that the sage and onion bread was unnecessary as there were so many flavours going on. All in all, a nice, filling, tasty sandwich!

Price: £3.00

Rating: 4/5

M&S Blueberry Pancakes

As soon as I opened the packaging, I was met with the delicious smell of blueberries. Lovely fluffy, light pancakes with plenty of juicy blueberries. The blueberries made the pancakes nice and moist, I’d definitely buy these again!

Price: £1.60 for four

Rating: 5/5

M&S Braised Lamb In Redcurrant and Mint Gravy

Lamb, mint and redcurrant - a perfect combination! I have to say, my hopes weren't that high, but I was pleasantly surprised! 

The ready meal consisted of braised pieces of lamb with onions, in a mint and redcurrant gravy, served with mashed potatoes and cabbage. 

The Lamb was lovely and tender, although a little fatty. The mint and redcurrant gravy was quite tangy and tasty, but I felt the gravy was too runny and needed to be thicker. The mash was nice and fluffy, the cabbage was a nice addition although it was a bit too crunchy. 

I would definitely buy this again, although I might add a little extra butter to the mash and cabbage, as it wasn't particularly buttery! 

Rating: 4/5

M&S Mini Colin the Caterpillar Cakes

I've been dying to try these cute little cakes! They are usually sold out at my local M&S, but I found these at a different M&S, although there were only two left, so they seem to be quite popular.

These cakes were lovely and chocolatey, and very cute! The white chocolate face was lovely and creamy. The cake itself had a beautiful rich chocolate buttercream, the sponge was moist, and the thick outer layer of chocolate around the cake was amazing. 

The little coloured chocolate beans sprinkled over the cake were a nice little touch, too! I loved these cakes and would buy them again.

Price £2.00 for six

Rating: 5/5

M&S Toffee Meringues

These little toffee meringues were lovely and light, with a delicious toffee flavoured cream filling, drizzled with toffee sauce and coated with chocolate. I noticed a coffee or molasses flavour in the toffee cream, I’m not sure if this was used to add more flavour, but it was a nice touch. These are perfect for a light dessert and I would buy them again.

Price: £1.50 for two

Rating: 5/5

M&S Lemon Drizzle Cake

A lovely zesty lemon drizzle cake with a moist, buttery sponge. This cake is absolutely delicious and full of flavour. The lemon drizzle had soaked beautifully throughout the buttery, light sponge. The icing on the top of the cake had the right amount of sweetness to balance out the lemon. I will definitely be buying this again.

Price: £2.75

Rating: 5/5

M&S Fruity Chicken Curry

This curry has quickly become one of my favourites. You'd never think that it was a ready meal, it tastes homemade. The mild curry sauce was bursting with flavour and the chicken was lovely and tender. The juicy sultanas scattered throughout the sauce were lovely, and the side of rice was nice and fluffy. Highly recommended!

Price: £2.60

Rating: 5/5

M&S Chocolate Brownie Mini Bites

I love these huge tubs of mini bites; I will be reviewing most of them on my blog, so keep an eye out! 

These brownies did not disappoint; rich, moist, chocolatey and gooey. They were very addictive, perfect in size and there was plenty in the tub. I will definitely be buying these again.

Price: £2.60

Rating: 5/5

M&S Vegetable Pasta Bake

A vegetarian pasta bake that was surprisingly tasty. Spinach, Broccoli and Petit Pois in a creamy tomato sauce with pasta and a cheese topping. I really enjoyed this, the tomato sauce was really creamy and tasty, I could taste a hint of lemon in the sauce. The Spinach, Broccoli and Petit Pois were a lovely combination and went really well with the sauce. The pasta was nice and tender and the cheese topping was lovely and creamy. I will definitely buy this again.

Price: £2.00

Rating: 5/5

M&S Sunken Passion Fruit and Mango Cheesecake

I've been wanting to try this for a long time, along with the St Clements marmalade cheesecake, but I think they have discontinued it, and this Mango and passion fruit cheesecake has taken it's place.

The plastic packaging is very annoying and makes the cheesecake difficult to cut and lift out of the container. After a few attempts, I managed to get a piece out, but it didn't look as nice as I would've liked. 

The chunks of Mango and passion fruit in the centre were very sweet, perhaps a bit too sweet. I liked the hidden pockets of the mango and passion fruit filling inside the cheesecake. The cheesecake itself was firm in texture with pieces of vanilla beans throughout. However, I thought that it was lacking something – it wasn't particularly creamy. The biscuit base was quite hard and again, lacked something.

Not the best cheesecake I've had, it certainly didn't taste as good as it looked. It was also not worth the £4.50 I paid. Overall, a bit of a disappointment and I wouldn't buy it again.

Price: £4.50 

Rating: 3/5