It wouldn't be Easter without hot cross buns, and let's face it - just like Easter eggs - they've been filling bakery shelves way before the big event, but we're not complaining about it. With so many options on the market, how do you know which ones are worth your hard-earned dough? Well, I've taken one for the team and done some serious taste-testing (I know, it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it)!
From gluten-free and savoury hot cross buns to traditional buns that are fluffy and spiced to perfection, there's a hot cross bun out there for everyone.
Best hot cross buns (2025) at a glance:
I’ve rounded up the top contenders to help you pick the perfect Hot Cross Bun this Easter. Get ready to discover which supermarket has best hot cross buns that will make your spring extra special.
How we tested the best hot cross buns
To determine who sells the best hot cross buns, Arabella, our commercial content writer, tried a selection of products from 9 supermarkets along with a panel of testers, including traditional, chocolate and fruit-filled buns.
Each bun was toasted with butter and scored on taste, texture and appearance (no messy piping, please!).
Best traditional supermarket hot cross buns
The best in name and the best in nature, Morrisons The Best Hot Cross Buns are big, fluffy and packed full of flavour. The ratio of spice to fruit was perfect, they were all even in size and the cross on the top was neat! I would say that these taste better toasted with lots of butter, rather than right out of the packet.
Pros
- Large, even size with neat piping
- Texture was soft and fluffy
Cons
- Not as good without toasting
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Wheat Flour (<strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Sultanas (22%), Water, Currants (6%), Raisins (6%), Vegetable Oils (Palm, Rapeseed, Palm Fat), Butter (<strong>Milk</strong>), Sugar, Yeast, <strong>Wheat</strong> Gluten, Salt, Emulsifiers (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyltartaric Acid Esters Of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Spices (Cinnamon, Cassia, Coriander, Nutmeg, Ginger, Clove), Orange Zest, Orange Oil, Flavouring, Acid (Acetic Acid), Flour Treatment Agent (Ascorbic Acid), <strong>Soya</strong> Flour |
Best mini hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.ukwww.waitrose.com
These Waitrose Mini Hot Cross Buns were a real crowd-pleaser and certainly met our expectations! Perfectly sized for a quick snack, they were soft, fluffy, and bursting with the classic flavours of cinnamon and mixed fruit.
The glaze on top added a lovely touch of sweetness without being overpowering. Whether enjoyed on their own or paired with a cup of tea, these mini buns are a delicious treat. The piping is uneven, but other than that, they are a great option for those looking for something a little more indulgent without the commitment of a full-sized bun!
Pros
- Small-size, so great for a snack
- Classic hot cross bun flavour
Cons
- Piping is a bit messy
| Number of buns per pack: | 9 |
| Ingredients: | Wheat flour (<strong>wheat</strong> flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin), mixed vine fruits (33%) (soaked sultanas [sultanas, water], soaked raisins [raisins, water], Chilean flame raisins [Chilean flame raisins, water], currants [currants, sunflower oil]), water, yeast, pasteurised free range <strong>egg</strong>, mixed peel (2.0%) (orange peel, lemon peel), unsalted butter (<strong>milk</strong>), invert sugar syrup, sugar, potato starch, emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), salt, <strong>wheat</strong> gluten, mixed spices, flavourings, rapeseed oil, palm fat (certified sustainable), flour treatment agent (ascorbic acid) |
Best large hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yourswww.coop.co.uk
Moist and packed full of flavour, these Co-op hot cross buns were indeed rich! They were generously sized, with the right amount of spice and toasted nicely. However, upon biting into them, we did notice a few hard pieces of zesty citrus peel lurking around.
Pros
- Very moist
- Nice amount of spice
Cons
- Contained hard bits of peel
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Orange-soaked sultanas and currants, zesty citrus peel, mixed spices |
Best fruity hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yourswww.tesco.com
If you're not a fan of warming spices such as cinnamon, but love raisins, you will enjoy these Tesco Finest Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns. They were evenly shaped and sized, offering a nice, uniform bite. Personally, I would've liked the dough to have been more flavourful, but I was pleased to see plenty of fruit, making them a great choice for those who prefer a fruit-forward bun.
Pros
- Packed full of fruit
- Even shape and size
Cons
- Lacking in spice
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Wheat Flour [<strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin], Orange Soaked Fruits (30%) [Sultanas, Raisins, Currants, Flame Raisins, Concentrated Orange Juice], Water, Mixed Peel [Orange Peel, Lemon Peel], Butter (<strong>Milk</strong>), Honey (1.5%), Yeast, <strong>Wheat</strong> Gluten, Mixed Spices, Salt, Buttermilk Powder (<strong>Milk</strong>), Emulsifiers (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Potato Dextrin, Flavouring, Lemon Zest, Rapeseed Oil, Demerara Sugar, Palm Oil, Flour Treatment Agent (Ascorbic Acid) |
Best budget hot cross bun
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.ukwww.sainsburys.co.uk
Sainsbury's Fruity Hot Cross Buns were smaller than many of the other options and not very uniform, but at just £1.25 (with a Nectar card), they were one of the most affordable. They were delightfully moist, thanks to the plump, pre-soaked raisins. However, much like others, they lacked a strong spice profile, which might be a downside for those who prefer a more traditional, spiced bun.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Good amount of fruit
Cons
- Could be more flavoursome
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Fortified Wheat Flour (<strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin), Moistened Sultanas (24%) (Sultanas, Water), Water, Moistened Raisins (6%) (Raisins, Water), Yeast, Invert Sugar Syrup, Palm Fat, Potato Starch, Orange Zest, Lemon Zest, Emulsifiers: Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids; <strong>Wheat</strong> Gluten, <strong>Rye</strong> Flour, Salt, Cinnamon, Rapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Flour Treatment Agent: Ascorbic Acid; Palm Stearin, Clove Bud Oil, Cassia Oil, Orange Oil, Lemon Grass Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Coriander Seed Oil, Bergamot Oil, Cognac Oil, Balsam Oil, Geranium Oil |
Best luxury hot cross buns
M&S/Ocadowww.ocado.com
These M&S Luxury Hot Cross Buns haven’t been taste-tested just yet, but they’re already piquing our interest. Enriched with butter and egg, and infused with a "unique spice blend," they’re promising to be something special. We can't wait to dig in and see if they live up to the hype!
Pros
- Enriched with butter and egg
- Blend of spices unique to M&S
Cons
- More expensive than other options
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | <strong>Wheatflour</strong> contains <strong>Gluten</strong> (with <strong>Wheatflour</strong>, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Moistened Dried Vine Fruits (33%) (Sultanas, Vostizza Currants, Water), Water, Sugar, Pasteurised <strong>Egg</strong> (2.5%), Mixed Peel (Orange Peel, Lemon Peel) (2%), Unsalted Butter (<strong>Milk</strong>) (2%), Rapeseed Oil, Dried <strong>Wheat Gluten</strong>, Invert Sugar Syrup, Malted <strong>Wheat</strong> (contains <strong>Gluten</strong>), Yeast, Salt, Emulsifier: E471, E472e, E470a, Dextrin, Ground Sweet Cinnamon (Cassia), Palm Fat, Flavouring, Ground Coriander Seeds, <strong>Wheat</strong> Starch (contains <strong>Gluten</strong>) |
Best hot cross buns without raisins
Best rhubarb hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yoursgroceries.aldi.co.uk
If you're steering clear of traditional hot cross buns, can I tempt you with these Rhubarb & Custard offerings from ALDI? The candied rhubarb pieces add a tart, slightly tangy contrast to the sweet custard, creating a lovely balance that doesn’t overwhelm the palate. Delicious!
Pros
- Sweet and tangy combination
- Affordable price
Cons
- May be too sour for some
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫 (𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Water, Candied Dried Rhubarb (15%) (Sugar, Rhubarb, Glucose-fructose Syrup, Rice 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid), Belgian White Chocolate Chips (11%) (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤 Powder, Emulsifier: Lecithins (𝐒𝐨𝐲𝐚); Flavouring), Yeast, Butter (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Sugar, Emulsifiers: Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids, Mono- And Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters Of Mono- And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids; Dextrin, 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐧, Salt, Flavouring, Coconut Oil, Lactose (𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐤), Glucose Syrup, 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫 Treatment Agent: Ascorbic Acid; Modified Maize Starch, 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫, Colour: Curcumin. |
8.
M&S Extremely Cheesy Hot Cross Buns
M&S have also catered toward a more savoury palate with their Extremely Cheesy Hot Cross Buns. Crammed full of extra mature Barber's farmhouse Cheddar and smooth Red Leicester, it's a delicious vessel for a bacon and egg breakfast sandwich.
Pros
- Two types of cheese for a strong cheese taste
- Golden buns
Cons
- Perhaps too cheesy for some
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Wheatflour*, Water, Barber's Extra Mature Cheddar Cheese (Milk) (12%), Red Leicester Cheese (12%) (Red Leicester Cheese (Milk), Natural Colour: B-Carotenes), Dried Wheat Gluten, Yeast, Rapeseed Oil, Dried Fermented Wheatflour, Salt, Emulsifier: E471, E472e, E470a, Malted Wheat, Pea Protein, Palm Fat, Rowan Berry Extract, Flour Treatment Agent: Ascorbic Acid, Cornflour, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Tapioca Starch, Wheat Starch, *Fortified with Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B3 And B1 |
Best raspberry hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yoursgroceries.asda.com
While I didn't taste much white chocolate in ASDA's Raspberry & White Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, the raspberry certainly packs a punch. They're fruity, and when you cut them open, they're pink inside. I recommend pairing them with some jam.
Pros
- Strong fruit flavour
- Pairs nicely with jam
Cons
- May contain raspberry pips
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Fortified Wheat Flour [Wheat Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin (B3), Thiamin (B1)], Water, Belgian White Chocolate Chunks (12%) [Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Lactose (Milk), Whey Powder (Milk), Emulsifier (Soya Lecithins), Flavouring], Raspberries (9%), Raspberry Flavoured Dried Sweetened Diced Cranberries (5%) [Cranberries, Sugar, Flavourings], Palm Oil, Lemon Zest, Yeast, Freeze Dried Raspberry Pieces, Dried Whole Milk, Wheat Gluten, Salt, Sugar, Emulsifiers (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Potato Dextrin, Flavourings, Rapeseed Oil, Flour Treatment Agent (Ascorbic Acid) |
Best filled hot cross buns
M&S/Ocadowww.ocado.com
I imagine this is what you get if you cross a doughnut with a hot cross bun. Super zesty and packed full of lemon curd, lemon oil and candied Sicilian lemon, these M&S Lemon Curd Filled Hot Cross Buns certainly pack a punch!
They're ready to eat, but if you're opting for toasted, you may want to put them under the grill or in the air fryer for a minute or two.
Pros
- Lemon curd centre adds moisture
- Very sharp and zesty
Cons
- Difficult to toast
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Water, Lemon Curd (11%) (Sugar, Pasteurised <strong>Egg</strong>, Butter (<strong>Milk</strong>), Concentrated Sicilian Lemon Juice, Water, Lemon Zest, Gelling Agent: Agar, Salt, Sicilian Lemon Oil), Candied Lemon Peel (7%) (Sicilian Lemon Peel, Glucose Syrup, Sugar), Lemon Peel, Pasteurised <strong>Egg</strong>, Sugar, Rapeseed Oil, Invert Sugar Syrup, Yeast, Dried <strong>Wheat</strong> <strong>Gluten</strong>, Emulsifier: E471, E472e, E470a, Salt, Palm Fat, Dried Fermented <strong>Wheatflour</strong>, Fruit and Vegetable Concentrates (Carrot, Pumpkin, Apple), Sicilian Lemon Oil, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid, Flour Treatment Agent: Ascorbic Acid, *Fortified with Calcium Iron Vitamin B3 and B1 |
Best chocolate hot cross buns
Best coffee hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yoursgroceries.asda.com
Coffee and chocolate are a match made in heaven, and these Tiramisu Hot Cross Buns from ASDA were a definite winner! A delicious twist on the traditional, they were packed with Belgian chocolate and had just the right hint of Brazilian coffee for a delightful kick. Coffee connoisseurs may crave a bolder caffeine punch.
Pros
- Lots of Belgian chocolate chips
- Good size
Cons
- Coffee flavour could be stronger
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Fortified <strong>Wheat</strong> Flour [<strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin (B3), Thiamin (B1)], Water, Belgian Dark Chocolate Chips (18%) [Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Dextrose, Emulsifier (<strong>Soya</strong> Lecithins)], Mascarpone Cheese (<strong>Milk</strong>) (3%), Sugar, Brazilian Coffee Powder, Yeast, <strong>Wheat</strong> Gluten, Salt, Emulsifiers (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Potato Dextrin, Fermented <strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, <strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, Flavouring, Rapeseed Oil, Palm Oil, Flour Treatment Agent (Ascorbic Acid) |
Best chocolate hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yoursgroceries.morrisons.com
These Morrisons Millionaires Hot Cross Buns are extremely moreish and I found them delicious both hot and cold - even at room temperature, the caramel pieces are super soft and melt in your mouth. I would describe them as a light and soft brioche-style bun and the combination of caramel and chocolate throughout makes each bite an absolute treat.
Pros
- Can be eaten hot or cold
- Soft and light, like brioche
Cons
- Quite big
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | May Contain Cereals Containing Gluten, May Contain Eggs, Contains Milk, Contains Soya, Contains Wheat |
Best caramel hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yourswww.tesco.com
Those with a sweet tooth will want to get their chops around these Tesco Finest Caramel and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns. Oozing with toffee pieces and dark chocolate chunks, they're sticky and indulgent - just don't leave them for too long in your toaster!
Pros
- Soft caramel and dark chocolate
- Very sweet
Cons
- Very sticky and messy
| Nuber of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Wheat Flour [<strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin], Water, Salted Caramel Fudge (12%) [Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Whole <strong>Milk</strong>, Palm Oil, Butteroil (<strong>Milk</strong>), Salt, Glucose, Water, Flavouring], Dark Chocolate Chips (9%) [Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Emulsifier (Rapeseed Lecithins), Flavouring], Toffee Pieces (4%) [Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Palm Oil, Whole <strong>Milk</strong>, Butteroil (<strong>Milk</strong>), Stabiliser (Powdered Cellulose), Flavouring], Molasses, Rapeseed Oil, <strong>Wheat</strong> Gluten, Sugar, Malted <strong>Wheat</strong>, Invert Sugar Syrup, Fermented <strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, Yeast, Emulsifiers (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids), Salt, Potato Dextrin, Palm Fat, Flavouring, <strong>Wheat</strong> Starch. |
Best chocolate hot cross buns
M&S/Ocadowww.ocado.com
While these buns have yet to be tested, we have been assured that they're full of chocolatey deliciousness without being overly sweet or sickly. M&S recommend filling these Extremely Chocolatey Hot Cross Buns with berries and cream, but we reckon they'll taste just as good with a smattering of butter!
Some customers say that they are stodgy, but many found them a moreish alternative to the fruit-filled variations.
Pros
- Dark chocolate and milk chocolate chunks
- Not overly sweet
Cons
- Some say they're stodgy
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | <strong>Wheatflour</strong>, Water, Dark Chocolate (13%) (Sugar, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Natural Vanilla Flavouring, Emulsifier: Lecithin), Milk Chocolate (13%) (Sugar, Dried Whole <strong>Milk</strong>, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Emulsifier: Lecithin), Rapeseed Oil, Sugar, Fat Reduced Cocoa Powder, Dried <strong>Wheat Gluten</strong>, Invert Sugar Syrup, Malted <strong>Wheat</strong>, Yeast, Dried Fermented <strong>Wheatflour</strong>, Emulsifier: E471, E472e, E470a, Salt, Palm Fat, Pea Protein, Flour Treatment Agent: Ascorbic Acid, Cornflour, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, <strong>Wheat</strong> Starch, *Fortified with Calcium, Iron, Vitamin B3 and B1 |
Best apple hot cross buns
Best apple hot cross buns
Ella Croft/Yourswww.ocado.com
Ella Croft, our SEO Content Strategist recommends the M&S Bramley Apple Hot Cross Buns. "These are my favourite hot cross buns I've ever tried. I've been buying them every year for several years now and don't buy any others."
These are a great option for those who are also not a big fan of the traditional hot cross bun." "I'm not the biggest fan of currants, the flavour is a bit too sharp for me, and these hot cross buns don't have them - they just have sultanas and apple pieces as the fruit, which I love as they're both so sweet and juicy.
Just like me, she found them to be very succulent. "The dough is very moist, not dry at all like some other hot cross buns are. They're also really nicely spiced, they smell divine when they're being toasted. I usually love them with butter and sometimes chocolate spread."
Pros
- Very succulent, moist dough
- Nice smell
Cons
- Stil contains currants, which some may not like
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Wheatflour contains Gluten (with Wheatflour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin), Moistened Dried Sultanas (19%) (Sultanas, Water), Semi-Candied Bramley Apple Pieces (9%) (Bramley Apples, Sugar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup), Water, Sugar, Bramley Apple Compote (4%) (Bramley Apples, Water, Sugar Apple Purée, Cornflour, Acidity Regulator: Citric Acid), Rapeseed Oil, Dried Wheat Gluten, Invert Sugar Syrup, Emulsifier: E471, E472e, E470a, Yeast, Malted Wheat (contains Gluten), Salt, Ground Spices (Cinnamon, Sweet Cinnamon (Cassia), Coriander Seeds), Dextrin, Palm Fat, Flavouring, Wheat Starch (contains Gluten) |
Best apple and cinnamon hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yourswww.tesco.com
Tesco Finest Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns have a lovely, light fruitiness to them, which is complimented with the sultanas. I think they could have done with a bit more cinnamon for that warming kick you need from a hot cross bun, but overall, they were pretty tasty.
Pros
- Light apple flavour
- Also has sultanas inside
Cons
- Needs more cinnamon
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Wheat Flour [<strong>Wheat</strong> Flour, Calcium Carbonate, Iron, Niacin, Thiamin], Moistened Sultanas (18%) [Sultanas, Water], Water, Candied Bramley Apple (10%) [Apple, Sugar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Cinnamon], Bramley Apple Purée (3.5%), Palm Oil, <strong>Wheat</strong> Gluten, Yeast, Emulsifiers (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids), Salt, Demerara Sugar, Potato Dextrin, Cinnamon, Rapeseed Oil, Flavouring, Mixed Spices, Flour Treatment Agent (Ascorbic Acid). |
Best cinnamon hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yourswww.waitrose.com
Waitrose Easter Apple and Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns have a strong flavour profile and are made with scrummy Bramley apples. They are quite bready, but the compote adds some wetness, making them palatable. If I were to be picky, there wasn't enough sultanas for my liking.
Pros
- Apple compote enhances softness
- Strong flavour profile
Cons
- Needs more saltanas
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Wheat flour (<strong>wheat</strong> flour, calcium carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin), soaked sultanas (19%) (sultanas, water), water, candied apple (9%) (apple, sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, acidity regulator (citric acid)), spiced Bramley apple compote (5%) (Bramley apple, water, sugar, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, pimento, black pepper), yeast, invert sugar syrup, rapeseed oil, sugar, <strong>wheat</strong> gluten, emulsifiers (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), salt, potato starch, flavourings, mixed spices, ground cinnamon, palm fat (certified sustainable), flour treatment agent (ascorbic acid) |
Best spiced hot cross buns
Arabella Horspool/Yourswww.lidl.co.uk
If you're a fan of warmly spiced treats, Lidl’s Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns are a delightful option to pick up this season! Upon unwrapping the pack, you’re immediately greeted with the comforting aroma of cinnamon, with a subtle sweetness from the apple. They are moist, heavy but soft, golden-brown buns are perfectly baked, with a cross on top.
These are only available to buy in-store
Pros
- Genrously spiced with cinnamon
- Apple sweetness cuts through
Cons
- Quite heavy
| Number of buns per pack: | 4 |
| Ingredients: | Cinnamon, apple, orange-infused sultanas |
What are the best supermarket hot cross buns?
Along with our series of testers, I found that the Morrisons The Best Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns were the best by name and by flavour. Big, fluffy, and full of fruit with the right amount of spice, they were a clear winner in our eyes.
Other honourable mentions include ALDI Specially Selected Rhubarb & Custard Hot Cross Buns at just 99p a packet and ASDA Tiramisu Hot Cross Buns, which were delicious toasted!
How to serve hot cross buns
There are plenty of ways to serve a hot cross bun. The most traditional way is to cut it in half and toast it, then add some butter, but you can also eat it straight out of the packet!
Here are some of our favourite ways to enjoy them:
• Classic and simple: Serve them straight from the pack, warm or at room temperature, with a pat of butter. The subtle sweetness and spice of the bun shine through on their own!
• Toasted and buttered: For a little extra indulgence, toast your Hot Cross Buns until golden brown, then slather them with butter or even a dollop of clotted cream for a luxurious treat.
• With your favourite spread: Spread your buns with strawberry jam, raspberry preserves, lemon curd, chocolate spread or a tangy orange marmalade for a sweet and zesty upgrade. It’s a simple way to add a burst of flavour!
• Stuffed with goodness: Want something a little more decadent? Slice your bun open and fill it with sliced bananas, nut butter, or even cream cheese for a fun and filling snack or breakfast.
• In a bread pudding: Use stale Hot Cross Buns to create a delicious bread pudding! Tear them up, mix with eggs, milk, and spices, then bake until golden and custardy.
• Hot cross bun French toast: For a twist on the classic French toast, dip your Hot Cross Bun halves into a whisked egg mixture, fry them up, and serve with syrup or fresh fruit.
• As a brunch staple: Serve them alongside other brunch favourites like scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, or fresh fruit salad for an elevated Easter brunch.
The best hot cross buns FAQs
When do you eat hot cross buns?
Hot Cross Buns are traditionally eaten around Easter, especially on Good Friday, as they are associated with Christian tradition and the marking of the end of Lent. The "cross" on top symbolises the crucifixion of Jesus, and the buns were historically made to mark the end of the fasting period.
Nowadays, these spiced, fruity treats have become popular much earlier in the year and can often be found in bakeries well before the Easter period.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and walking her three dogs.