Good and Bad Buys at Lidl and Aldi stores (***Please don't expire***)

Rosa_Damascena

@thriftytracey - I have enjoyed some really high quality produce this summer, but am resigned to eat generic Weetabix and Shredded Wheat all winter! The fat stores need replenishing before the heating gets switched on!!

PLRFD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106466#Comment_82106466

I love Shredded Wheat not so keen on the bite size. Lidl"weetabix" are pretty much spot on.

tg99

Are the white or milk chocolate chunk cookies and the plain croissant from the Lidl bakery any good?

Rosa_Damascena

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82106683#Comment_82106683

Might have to think again - the price of milk (and other dairy products) is bound to take a hit from the current wave of Blue Tongue.

@tg99 - I can't think of anything that the Lidl in-store bakery does not do well. Even if you don't like cookies, brownies etc, you end up hoovering them up before you know it!

Brie

Hate to slightly contradict @Rosa_Damascena but I would and have specifically warned people against buying the brioche croissants they have occasionally. To me they tasted stale. And the pistachio one (bought specially for him indoors who loves pistachio) looked absolutely vile when cut in to - oozing green filling which resembled something nasty indeed!

We do love the plain croissants as well as the pain au chocolate, almond croissants, chocolate twists and many of their rolls and breads. The donuts are generally quite good.

pumpkin89

In my experience the Lidl croissants are dreadful! Having read other people's reviews, I suspect it's the way my local store bakes them, rather than the product itself - but I'd proceed with caution. The cookies are probably harder to get wrong.

Cornucopia

I was discussing the Lidl free bakery items IRL today, and what I like is that the free offers are a chance to try new things.

I'm not keen on the very sweet options (although I did have a Chocolate Cronut that was interesting). The Maple & Pecan Plait was excellent, as was the Cheese-topped Pretzel thing.

I've had the Brioche Croissants before, and they are not great (too stodgy).

But overall, I think Lidl's ISB is excellent - probably better than the big four for quality, range and value. The closest other retailer for range is M&S, but they are a fair bit more expensive.

tg99

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108556#Comment_82108556

The only thing I’ve had so far is the chocolate cronut which I thought was top notch, really nice warmed in oven for 5 mins or so too.

Rosa_Damascena

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82108630#Comment_82108630

Deliciously addictive in fact, and irresistable if offered as a freebie!!

PLRFD

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82099912#Comment_82099912

Here you go these two are annoying but it should tell you what you need to know about the machine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRsPSj6jVXU