Known to traditionally be an Easter treat to be devoured on Good Friday, hot cross buns are simply delicious for their juicy fruit filling, spices and fluffiness.
Festive food item or not, many people consider them a must-have all year round - best eaten toasted and buttered, with a hot cup of tea to wash down the sweetness. That being said, we had to put this year’s hot cross buns to the ultimate test.
We hunted down some of the most affordable hot cross buns across the UK’s leading supermarkets to find which bun rose to the top (get it?). Each was scored based on their appearance, spiced aroma, flavour and rise - but ultimately our quest was to find out which tasted the best.
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Enough with the chit-chat, here were the ground-breaking results when we sampled four of the cheapest Easter bakes we found in stores:
Tesco
8/10
In comparison to the highly raved Tesco Finest Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns, I much preferred this cheaper version that had a perfect balance of fruits that complimented the bun. What was even more irresistible was its evenly spread glaze and well-piped cross.
Extra points for its orange-soaked sultanas that provided hints of citrus, that made me go for seconds. Not bad for £1.
Iceland
5/10
Despite there being a neat distribution of fruits and having a decent overall appearance, I was underwhelmed by the lack of spices and flavour that would have made these buns much more exciting. The taste levels were drastically lower than anticipated, which was why I decided to deduct further points down for Iceland. But still a bargain for six buns that cost £1 altogether.
Sainsbury’s
7/10
Arguably the most affordable set of buns with the best rise, these buns from Sainsbury’s didn’t mess around when it came to cramming fruit and delivering a punch for its well rounded spices. The dough felt fluffy in texture and it was edible enough to eat in one gulp.
Heron Foods (B&M Express)
4/10
Perhaps surprisingly for B&M fans, these buns were the most expensive on our list, equating to 25 pence each in a pack of four. However, the taste and texture lacked in more ways than one.
It could have been a contender with its incorporation of fruits, but it didn’t pass compared to the others when it came to the bake or the spice aromas and flavours.
I was looking forward to tasting those citrus hints normally associated with hot cross buns, but the reality was more like tasting a plain bread roll.
The verdict
For those seeking a quick, cheap buy to serve to family and friends this Easter, your best bet is heading down to Tesco that offers both taste and affordability.
Sainsbury’s also provides a similar quality, packing in the flavours, and also helps if you’re price conscious.
With other supermarket retailers such as Waitrose and M&S that tend to retail at more hefty prices, some of these hot cross buns prove that there can be a solid medium between quality and price.
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