I’m a bit of a pastry snob. Not in an annoying way, but in an endearing way that’s justified and rooted in years of experience. (That’s what I tell myself!) I develop new baking recipes almost every week in the Test Kitchen, so I’m constantly tasting, examining, and critiquing every detail of sweet treats. So when the German-owned grocery store Lidl—famous for its beloved bakery section—opened up in my neighborhood, I knew I needed to try it.
What makes the bakery items so popular? Well, for starters, they’re dirt cheap. I’m talking less than a dollar for many. And people genuinely love them. Like really, really love them. I’ve heard countless praises of the famous $0.49 croissants, and as a sucker for anything European, I was curious. I picked up a few items and gave them a try. Here’s my honest review.
Apple Turnover ($0.99)
Score: 4/10
Great? No. Good for being less than a dollar? For sure. The filling has a bit of a McDonald’s apple pie flavor, but the consistency was too gel-like for me. The pastry was flaky, tender, and properly baked.
Chocolate Chunk Cookie ($0.89)
Score: 10/10
Still warm when I bought it! The cookie was crisp on the edges, chewy in the center, and the chocolate had a surprisingly complex flavor for its price point. It was also well seasoned with a nice amount of salt to help all the flavors shine. Loved.
Lemon Poppyseed Scone ($0.89)
Score: 10/10
Scones can be really hit or miss, and this one was a hit. Crisp and sturdy on the outside, moist in the center, and even had some layering indicating that the fat was incorporated nicely. The lemon flavor was very pleasant, if a bit mild. It’s a limited-time-offer item, but I would go back to Lidl just for this.
