UK Supermarket Hot Cross Bun Taste Test: The Best and Worst Revealed
For many Britons, the hot cross bun is the quintessential Easter treat, enjoyed straight from the packet with a warm brew or toasted with a generous helping of butter. With supermarkets offering an array of flavours from traditional fruited to innovative tiramisu, cherry bakewell, and apple crumble, the sweet scent of cinnamon fills the aisles. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which buns are worth adding to your basket ahead of the festivities.
How the Testing Was Conducted
The Daily Mail Lifestyle team rigorously sampled 35 hot cross buns from supermarkets and popular brands across the United Kingdom. The evaluation focused on taste, structural integrity, and performance when toasted. Reviewers assessed how well promised flavours were executed and whether the overall concoction made sense. The team included individuals with varied tastes and diets, such as those averse to dried fruit or preferring savoury over sweet options, ensuring recommendations reflect the average consumer.
Top Picks: Standout Hot Cross Buns
Tesco Finest Marbled Neapolitan earned high praise as an indulgent treat, described as more like cake than a traditional bun due to its milk chocolate chips and strawberry-flavoured jelly fruit pieces. Though almost sickly sweet and high in calories at 214 per bun, it was deemed worth it for those with a sweet tooth.
Lidl Deluxe Cheesy Hot Cross Buns at £1.19 were a budget-friendly hit, offering a savoury twist with pockets of gooey cheddar in a light, soft bun. Traditionalists might shy away, but reviewers recommended them for those open to a non-sweet Easter option.
Tesco Finest Extra Fruity buns were hailed as a banker choice, with succulent raisins and a satisfying texture when toasted. Reviewers noted they lived up to the Finest branding, especially when served with butter and jam.
Aldi Luxury Fruited buns impressed with a homemade taste, the right balance of spice and fruit, and excellent performance when toasted with butter.
Innovative Flavours That Delivered
Aldi Rhubarb and Custard buns were a game-changer for dried fruit haters, offering a sweet but not overpowering flavour with rhubarb pieces and custard streaks, though they could have been more moist.
M&S Extremely Lemony Curd Filled buns received acclaim for their citrusy tang that complemented the sweetness without overpowering, providing a fresh, spring-like flavour.
Waitrose White Chocolate and Lemon buns combined citrus hints with white chocolate chips, resulting in a soft bun that didn't require butter and appealed to both adults and children.
M&S Red Velvet buns, recommended to be eaten like a doughnut to preserve the white chocolate filling, were praised for their soft, fluffy texture and were deemed perfect for those who don't typically enjoy hot cross buns.
Disappointments and Missed Opportunities
Waitrose Richly Fruited buns were a letdown, crumbling to dust when toasted and lacking in texture even when untoasted, despite visible plump sultanas.
ASDA Cherry Bakewell buns failed to deliver on promised Morello cherry jam and almond flavour, tasting too much like a normal hot cross bun without the boldness advertised.
Tesco Strawberries and Cream buns had an artificial flavour and dense dough, making them disappointing given their Finest range branding and price.
Morrisons The Best Lemon Drizzle buns lacked lemon and drizzle, with bland vine fruits that even butter couldn't salvage, despite good structural integrity.
Waitrose Leckford Fruit and Seed buns tasted like health-focused muesli, being dry and flavourless, contrary to the indulgent spirit of Easter.
M&S Made Without Wheat gluten-free buns had a stodgy, sponge-like texture and overwhelming spices, though they included generous sultanas and currants.
Value and Traditional Options
Iceland Luxury Extra Fruity buns offered excellent value with delightful flavours of golden raisins, currants, and cinnamon, perfect for traditionalists.
ASDA Extra Fruity buns provided gold star value, nearly matching M&S luxury buns in quality, though slightly drier.
Co-op hot cross buns were deemed underwhelming and plain, suitable for classic preferences but not adventurous enough for 2026.
GAIL's Hot Cross Buns impressed with a warm waft of cinnamon and nutmeg, packed with cranberries and sultanas, though the texture was slightly dry.
Final Recommendations
For indulgent treats, consider Tesco Finest Marbled Neapolitan or M&S Red Velvet. Savoury lovers should opt for Lidl Deluxe Cheesy, while traditionalists will enjoy Tesco Finest Extra Fruity or Iceland Luxury Extra Fruity. Avoid Waitrose Richly Fruited and ASDA Cherry Bakewell for better options. This comprehensive taste test ensures you can make informed choices for your Easter celebrations, whether seeking classic flavours or innovative twists.
