NEED TO KNOW
- We blind taste tested six nationally available hot cross buns from supermarkets and a bakery chain.
- The end result? There’s a hot cross bun for all tastes, from the spice lovers to the sweet tooths.
Nothing says Easter quite like hot cross buns. And luckily for us, there are plenty on offer in supermarkets and bakeries around Australia.
But which is the fluffiest? The spiciest? Has the most even distribution of fruit?
We’ve put six traditional buns available around the country to the test to find out.
Our overall thoughts? Aussie’s are lucky to have such a variety to choose from. Some buns were super spiced, some had a generous amount of fruit, and some were on the sweeter side. Which means there is a bun out there for every taste preference.
The method and the judges
Four Women’s Weekly staff were on the judging panel, including food director Fran Abdallaoui. We did a blind taste test so no one knew which hot cross bun they were eating.
Buns came from ALDI, Bakers Delight, Coles, Harris Farm, IGA and Woolworths.
For the tasting, the buns were gently warmed in the oven and then eaten without butter.
The criteria
Each bun was given a mark out of five for texture, fruit ratio, appearance and taste.
Texture: We’re looking for a soft and slightly fluffy bun, with a touch of chewiness – but not too dense.
Fruit ratio: The fruit pieces should be evenly spread through the bun so there are some in each bite.
Appearance: The buns should have a glossy, golden-brown top. The cross should be even, and not chewy when eaten.
Taste: Buns should be slightly sweet with mild spice.
The hot cross bun taste test results
01
Bakers Delight Traditional Hot Cross Buns, $11.50 (pack of 6) or $2 (individual)
Bakers Delight
Visually, this bun made a strong first impression. “Good golden-brown colour with a glossy gaze,” enthused one judge, with another noting a good consistency of appearance across the buns. But did the taste match? Yes, it did! The bun had a “great fruit distribution”, and a “light and fluffy texture”.
Good for: The hot cross bun traditionalist
The Weekly recommends: This hot cross bun would be good on its own, eaten with butter, or used in a hot cross bun pudding.
02
Bakers Life Fruit Hot Cross Buns, $3.99 (pack of 6)
ALDI (tied second place)
Flavour was the big winner for this bun, particularly the spice balance. It also won points for its “nice, golden-brown top” and the “generous fruit” that was well-distributed through the bun. Though one judge said they would have liked even more fruit!
Good for: If you want a strong spice flavour.
The Weekly recommends: This hot cross bun would be good warmed and eaten with butter and a cup of tea.
02
Harris Farm Hot Cross Buns Traditional, $5.49 (pack of 6)
Harris Farm (tied second place)
The rustic, homemade look of this bun charmed the judges, with the “nice golden crust” getting a lot of love. In terms of texture, it fell more on the bready side of the scale, which many noted would make it perfect for toasting. It was also one of the sweeter buns, with a subtle spice and less fruit overall as well.
Good for: Those wanting a sweeter, less spiced bun.
The Weekly recommends: This hot cross bun would be good for baking, or toasted and eaten with your favourite spread.
03
Coles Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns, $4.40 (pack of 6)
Coles
The glossy glaze on this bun won it points for appearance, and the texture was the right amount of fluffy. The spice level was divisive amongst judges though, with one calling it “great” and another “underwhelming”. Same for the fruit level.
Good for: Hot cross bun traditionalists
The Weekly recommends: This hot cross bun would be great for baking, like in a hot cross bun version of a bread and butter pudding.
04
Woolworths Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns, $4.40 (pack of 6)
Woolworths
The judges agreed this was a “sweet and fruity” bun with good fruit distribution (though one judge wanted more fruit flavour). It also had a great “soft and fluffy” texture, and a nice appearance. Most judges loved the subtle spice. If you’re after a strong spice in your hot cross bun, you might align with the one judge who called for more.
Good for: Those wanting a sweeter, less spiced bun.
The Weekly recommends: This hot cross bun would be good warmed and enjoyed with butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
05
Community Co Traditional Hot Cross Buns, $5.50 (pack of 6)
IGA
This bun surprised the panel. Why? It was texturally closer to a bread roll than a hot cross bun, plus the spice was subtle and there weren’t a lot of fruit pieces. But the good news is this hot cross bun would work well treated as a savoury bun, used as the base for a toasted sandwich, for example, or enjoyed like raisin toast for brekkie.
Good for: Anyone looking for a ‘lite’ hot cross bun, with less fruit and spice.
The Weekly recommends: This hot cross bun would be good toasted and topped with a spread, or turned into a toastie or these hot cross bun waffles.
More hot cross bun taste tests
Our panel of judges also ranked six chocolate hot cross buns.
Plus, we tried the viral Doritos hot cross buns (they were better than we thought they’d be), as well as the Arnott’s Mint Slice buns.
