These days, there are so many different varieties that it can be hard to choose the best bun. Luckily, CHOICE has put 19 hot cross buns to the test to find this year's tastiest winner," says CHOICE Editorial Director, Mark Serrels.
"Coles Luxurious Fruit Hot Cross Buns took first place in our traditional bun taste test, receiving a score of 75%. Our experts praised it for its great array of fruits, which produced interesting flavours and textures. Our judges also said this one is perfect for toasting and buttering," says Serrels.
"We tested four chocolate hot cross buns from Coles, Aldi, Woolworths and Bakers Delight, and Coles once again took out the top spot. The Coles Bakery Easter Choc Chip Hot Cross Buns received an impressive score of 82%. Our experts were pleased with the amount of chocolate chips, noting the chocolatey smell was evident! If you prefer a chocolate hot cross bun, our experts recommend trying this one," says Serrels.
Our experts blind taste tested each hot cross bun by assessing flavour, aroma, appearance and texture. The CHOICE Expert Rating is made up of the taste test score as rated by the judges as well as a nutrition score which is based on the health star rating of the buns.
Best traditional hot cross buns
1. Coles Luxurious Fruit Hot Cross Buns
CHOICE Expert Rating: 75%
Price: $1.38 per bun
2. Aldi Bakers Life Fruit Hot Cross Buns
CHOICE Expert Rating: 72%
Price: 67 cents per bun
3. Coles Bakery Easter Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns
CHOICE Expert Rating: 66%
Price: 73 cents per bun
Best chocolate hot cross buns
1. Coles Bakery Easter Choc Chip Hot Cross Buns
CHOICE Expert Rating: 82%
Price: 73 cents per bun
2. Aldi Bakers Life Chocolate Hot Cross Buns with Milk Chocolate Chips
CHOICE Expert Rating: 70%
Price: 67 cents per bun
3. Woolworths Bakery Hot Cross Buns Made with Cadbury Milk Chocolate Chips
CHOICE Expert Rating: 68%
Price: 73 cents per bun
Images available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FPG5MUYYa6a_QDu4E36J1OxDxMDOnHig?usp=sharing
Editor's notes:
Brigid Treloar has been a freelance food consultant for over 30 years. The author of eight cookbooks, she also contributes to newspapers and magazines, reviews restaurants, judges cookery and recipe competitions, and judges chocolate in the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show Competition. Brigid has presented specialist cooking classes around Australia and overseas, and often appears on TV and radio. She's an industry assessor for Le Cordon Bleu, advises many of Australia's food companies on product and recipe development, and also provides recipes and cooking information for company websites.
Eddie Stewart started his culinary career at the young age of 16 and has amassed over 20 years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, he has worked in various boutique restaurants and world-renowned hotels to develop his own unique style. He has served as the Head Chef of Savoury and Business Development Manager for the internationally acclaimed Black Star Pastry in Sydney where he has gained extensive knowledge of the intricacies of the culinary business. In 2020, he joined forces with Min Chai to create a brand new concept called Tokyo Lamington where you can indulge in deliciously created lamingtons and other baked items.
Jane Bardell might fill her days producing insurance content as one of our esteemed CHOICE content producers, but she spends her weekends and evenings perfecting her brioche, refining her frangipane tarts and decorating cakes for special occasions. She's just as comfortable manipulating data in a spreadsheet as she is shaping a loaf of sourdough, and she's even a multi-award winning pastry chef – if you count the prestigious annual CHOICE staff lemon bake-off.
We're on your side
For more than 60 years, we've been making a difference for Australian consumers. In that time, we've never taken ads or sponsorship.
Instead we're funded by members who value expert reviews and independent product testing.
With no self-interest behind our advice, you don't just buy smarter, you get the answers that you need.
You know without hesitation what's safe for you and your family.
And you'll never be alone when something goes wrong or a business treats you unfairly.
Learn more about CHOICE membership today
Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
