As spring arrives, the seasonal delight of hot cross buns takes centre stage in British households. These soft, spiced buns, traditionally studded with currants and sultanas and marked with a cross, have evolved from their 14th-century origins into a modern Easter staple. Today, supermarkets and bakeries offer an array of innovative twists, from savoury cheese to indulgent chocolate-filled varieties. To help you navigate the options, I conducted a comprehensive taste test of almost twenty different hot cross buns, evaluating flavour, texture, and value for money. Here are the standout picks for Easter 2026.
Best Hot Cross Buns for 2026
1. Best Overall: Gail's Six Hot Cross Buns
From the popular high street bakery, Gail's hot cross buns are a premium choice that excels in quality. These buns are noticeably heavier and darker, with a crispy shell glazed with a syrup of clove, star anise, and nutmeg, creating an artisanal cross effect. The dough is richly spiced and packed with candied orange peel, cranberries, and sultanas, offering a complex citrus hit. At £2.33 per bun, they are a splurge but deliver an exceptional taste experience, available for delivery or click and collect.
2. Best Classic: M&S Luxury Hot Cross Buns
M&S proves that tradition still shines with its luxury hot cross buns. These buns feature a steamy, layered dough that releases a warm, spiced aroma when pulled apart. Generously studded with plump sultanas and Vostizza currants soaked in luxury gold tea, they offer a supple texture. Orange and lemon peel add a bright, harmonious flavour, making these a delightful and elevated classic option at 63p per bun.
3. Best Budget: Aldi Specially Selected Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns
For those seeking value without compromise, Aldi's specially selected luxury fruited hot cross buns are a top pick. Thick and puffed with a nostalgic sticky top, these buns are visibly packed with sultanas and currants, providing a lovely sweetness enhanced by mixed peel. At just 30p per bun, they offer excellent quality at an affordable price, perfect for stocking up this Easter.
4. Best Chocolate: Waitrose No. 1 Belgian Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Waitrose's Belgian chocolate hot cross buns combine the richness of chocolate with the classic bun format. Made with sourdough and large chunks of dark Belgian chocolate that become oozy when toasted, they offer a decadent, not overly sweet flavour. At £1.25 per bun, they are a luxurious treat that stands out from competitors like M&S, providing a chocolate-forward taste ideal for Easter morning.
5. Best Gluten-Free: Waitrose Free From Hot Cross Buns
Inclusive options are strong this year, with Waitrose's gluten-free hot cross buns leading the pack. These plump, well-presented buns feature a nice-tasting dough and balanced sweetness, with orange-soaked sultanas, raisins, and currants adding a subtle bright flavour. While slightly denser than gluten-containing versions, they hold their own as a tasty free-from alternative at 60p per bun.
6. Best with Seeds: Waitrose Leckford Fruit and Seed Hot Cross Buns
For a wholesome twist, Waitrose's Leckford fruit and seed hot cross buns incorporate pumpkin and sunflower seeds for a nourishing crunch. Bursting with sultanas, cranberries, and currants, and made with flour from regeneratively farmed Leckford Farm, they offer a complex, adult-tasting sweetness. Toasted, they come alive with a light yet dense texture, priced at 62.5p per bun.
7. Best Organic: The Authentic Bread Company Organic Hot Cross Buns
Hand-made in Gloucestershire, these organic hot cross buns are snack-sized treats with big, juicy organic sultanas running through a light, subtly spiced dough. Using high-quality ingredients and traditional methods, they provide a simple yet excellent bun, though slightly pricier at 65.8p per bun.
8. Best Carrot Cake: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Carrot Cake Hot Cross Buns
A new addition this year, Sainsbury's carrot cake hot cross buns feature a moist, fluffy dough with warming spices and roasted carrot shavings. White chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds add texture, while a sourdough starter gives a high-quality feel. At 50p per bun, they offer a crowd-pleasing seasonal twist.
9. Best Filled: M&S Extremely Lemony Curd Filled Hot Cross Buns
M&S brings creativity with its extremely lemony curd filled hot cross buns, designed to be eaten cold. These fluffy, brioche-like buns are enriched with lemon juice, oil, and candied peel, and injected with a zingy lemon curd centre. At 75p per bun, they provide a playful and fun option for lemon lovers.
10. Best Cherry: Asda Exceptional Cherry Bakewell Hot Cross Buns
Asda's cherry Bakewell hot cross buns feature a thick, fluffy dough with a subtle almond flavour and red glace cherry pieces and morello cherry jam. While more cherry pieces would enhance them, they offer a balanced sweetness at 44p per bun, making them a cheap and enticing choice.
11. Best Savoury: Tesco Finest Cheddar and Red Leicester Hot Cross Buns
For a savoury spin, Tesco's finest buns combine extra mature Cheddar and Red Leicester in a brioche-like dough. They emit a cheesy aroma when toasted and have a complex flavour, though cheese chunks are scarce. At 50p per bun, they are an enjoyable twist for those preferring savoury options.
12. Best Salted Caramel: Co-op Irresistible Chocolate and Salted Caramel Hot Cross Buns
Co-op's buns feature dark chocolate chips and salted caramel fudge pieces that become oozy when toasted. The dough balances sweetness well, though it can dry slightly, so butter is recommended. At 50p per bun, they offer a decadent treat that outperforms similar options from other supermarkets.
13. Best Farm Shop: The Newt Hot Cross Buns
Made in small batches at The Newt estate bakery in Somerset, these buns have a rich golden hue and sticky glaze. The slow-fermented dough includes fruit soaked in cyder for plump texture, with a light spice and crunchy cross decoration. At £1.50 per bun, they are a high-quality but pricey option best saved for Easter Sunday.
How the Testing Was Conducted
Over several weeks, I transformed my London flat into a bakery, toasting and buttering each bun as one normally would. I assessed taste for balanced flavours and spice, texture for fluffiness and crispness, and value for money across budgets. Buns were evaluated on how well they toasted, their moisture retention, and overall quality, ensuring recommendations are based on real-life settings.
Final Verdict
Gail's hot cross buns stand out as the best overall, despite the higher price, for their exceptional flavour and quality. For supermarket options, M&S luxury classic buns or Aldi's budget pick are top choices. Savoury lovers should try Tesco's Cheddar and Red Leicester buns, while those seeking a lighter option will enjoy Waitrose's fruit and seed variety. Whatever your preference, this guide ensures a delicious Easter treat.
