The best hot cross buns for Easter, taste-tested

Every bite of these buns was filled with juicy chunks of blueberries, cranberries, currants and sultanas. The classic attributes of a great hot cross bun were all there, too, with this one being spongy on the inside but crisp on the outside when toasted.

If I were to pick a fault, it would be that I’d have liked a slightly seasoned or spiced dough, but other than that, I highly recommend this offering from Sainsbury’s.

I suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Amazon’s selling competitvely priced hot cross buns. At less than £2, you get six generously sized buns that look exactly how a classic hot cross bun should – round, fluffy and golden brown. I loved how light and airy they were, with just the right amount of fruit, which didn’t overpower the bun itself. There’s a slightly bitter aftertaste, but it’s far from unpleasant – in fact, paired with a slather of salty butter, it’s absolutely delicious. For a classic, no-fuss hot cross bun that delivers flavour and value, this pack of six is a fantastic choice.

For the hot cross bun purists out there, M&S’s offering doesn’t mess with tradition. Shiny, chewy, and well-spiced, they were packed with flavour, with currants in every bite. I loved them toasted with a thick slab of really good salty butter to balance out the bitter spice.

While I’m not exactly sure what makes these buns worthy of “luxury” status, they’re a delicious classic option that I’m sure any die-hard fan of this seasonal snack will enjoy.

For many of us in the UK, Gail’s is synonymous with tasty, luxurious treats – and the prices reflect that. When it comes to the bakery’s hot cross buns, while undeniably pricey, I’d say they’re worth every penny. You can’t beat a freshly baked bun, and these had the best texture out of any I’ve tried – perfectly bready without being stodgy, and every one is packed with fruit.

Given the price and the freshly baked quality, I’d save these for a special treat, perhaps an Easter brunch when entertaining family and friends. The convenience is also unbeatable, as you can have them delivered straight to your door or click and collect, depending on where you live.

Packed to the brim with chocolate chips, these buns were soft, chewy, and rich, with a delicious combo of milk and dark chocolate that made them a truly decadent treat. I tried them toasted and straight from the packet – when toasted, the gooey chocolate was heavenly; untoasted, the buns reminded me of a childhood brioche snack.

I didn’t even bother with butter because the chocolate was rich enough. I think these buns would be a hit with someone who’s not necessarily a fan of the classic hot cross bun but still wants something indulgent and festive.

What could be better than tucking into a giant hot cross bun this Easter? Honestly, not much, in my opinion. With more than enough to go around, this mega bun makes the perfect Easter table centrepiece and a great gift.

Coming from the famous Harrogate tea room Bettys, it’s packed with currants and orange peel – perfect for fans of the classic flavour profile. The bun was on the dry side, but that might be due to the sheer size. I’d recommend cutting it into thick slices and enjoying it with plenty of good salty butter.

While the spongy, cake-like texture meant these gluten-free hot cross buns weren’t the slightest bit dry, they didn’t crisp up as much as I’d have liked when toasted.

Where the flavour is concerned, the orange was strong enough, without tasting sickly or artificial, and the chocolate chips melted perfectly. I recommend coating yours in salty butter to cut through the sweetness.

To say these buns are moreish would be an understatement. It sounds like the fudgy pieces combined with the melted chocolate chunks would be sickly, but they were actually delicious.

They somehow managed to crisp up perfectly around the edges but maintained an almost custard-like texture in the centre. However, they’re so sugary that the edges can burn easily, so make sure to watch the toaster carefully -these are not to be wasted.

These buns are gluten-free, vegan, and toast to perfection, with an ideal raisin-to-bun ratio that makes sure every bite is bursting with flavour. Whether you have to avoid gluten or dairy, these hot cross buns deliver on taste and quality without compromising a thing.

Milk and More is a breakfast delivery company that brings breakfast right to your door. Starting originally as a good old-fashioned milkman service they have since expanded to all your morning essentials including juice, eggs, bread, and now hot cross buns.

Made by experienced bakers at The Artisan Bakery, these buns were some of the largest I tested, ensuring a satisfying start to the day. The dough was very well seasoned and particularly orangey, with a healthy dose of vanilla. The sweetness balanced out the heavy spice for a unique approach to the traditional hot cross bun. However, the texture was not particularly to my taste, as I found the chunks of orange peel a little tough. That said, the idea of waking up on a Sunday morning to fresh artisanal hot cross buns right on your doorstep more than makes up for it.

The first thing I noticed about these buns was the incredible smell. Just a minute into toasting, the room filled with a sweet spiced apple scent. The taste? Imagine a hot cross bun meets applesauce – deliciously sweet without straying too far from the classic flavours. I loved finding generous chunks of apple in almost every bite.

I enjoyed these lightly toasted and found they tasted naturally buttery, so just a sliver of butter was all they needed. Offering something a little different, these hot cross buns have become one of my absolute favourites.

If you're a custard lover, these are sure to hit the spot. Packed with a rich, creamy flavour, these buns deliver exactly what they promise — a bold, unmistakable custard kick with a deliciously sweet vanilla undertone.

The buns are big and round, giving you plenty to sink your teeth into. The texture is spot on - crisp on the outside, yet light and fluffy inside.

However, while the custard flavour is front and centre (and absolutely delicious), I found the rhubarb element a little underwhelming. When you did get a chunk of rhubarb, it was delicious, but there were just too few for me. A stronger, tangy note would have added some welcome contrast to balance the sweetness.