Ultimate Hot Cross Buns Taste Test: Top 13 Picks for Easter 2026
Spring has arrived, bringing with it one of the most beloved seasonal treats: hot cross buns. These pillowy, spiced buns, dotted with currants and sultanas, have been a staple in British households for centuries, with origins tracing back to 12th-century England. Today, supermarkets and bakeries offer a dazzling array of twists on the traditional recipe, from savoury cheese to chocolate-filled creations. To help you navigate this delicious landscape, we conducted an extensive taste test of nearly twenty varieties, scrutinising flavour, texture, and value for money. Here are our top 13 picks for Easter 2026, ensuring your breakfasts and afternoon teas are nothing short of spectacular.
Our Top Picks: The Best Hot Cross Buns of 2026
- Best Overall – Gail's Six Hot Cross Buns: Priced at £14 from Gails.com, these artisanal buns feature a crispy shell with a clove, star anise, and nutmeg syrup, studded with candied orange peel, cranberries, and sultanas. Heavier and darker than supermarket options, they offer a complex, spiced flavour that justifies the splurge.
- Best Classic – M&S Luxury Hot Cross Buns: Available for £3 from Ocado.com, these buns boast a steamy, layered dough with plump sultanas and Vostizza currants soaked in luxury gold tea. Orange and lemon peel add a bright, harmonious touch, making them an elevated classic.
- Best Budget – Aldi Specially Selected Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns: At just £1.19 from Aldi.co.uk, these buns are packed with sultanas and currants, featuring a sticky top and mixed peel for a rich flavour, offering excellent value without compromising on taste.
- Best Chocolate – Waitrose No. 1 Belgian Chocolate Hot Cross Buns: Priced at £3 from Waitrose.com, these sourdough-based buns contain large chunks of dark Belgian chocolate that become oozy when toasted, providing a decadent, rich experience perfect for Easter morning.
- Best Gluten-Free – Waitrose Free From Hot Cross Buns: Costing £2 from Waitrose.com, these plump buns include orange-soaked sultanas, raisins, and currants, delivering a well-balanced sweetness with only a slightly denser texture than gluten-containing versions.
- Best Wholesome – Waitrose Leckford Fruit and Seed Hot Cross Buns: Available for £3 from Waitrose.com, these buns are made with flour from regeneratively farmed Leckford Estate, bursting with fruit and seeds for a nourishing crunch and complex sweetness.
- Best Organic – The Authentic Bread Company Organic Hot Cross Buns: Priced at £4 from Abelandcole.co.uk, these hand-made, snack-sized buns feature juicy organic sultanas and a light, subtly spiced dough, crafted with traditional fermentation methods.
- Best Carrot Cake – Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Carrot Cake Hot Cross Buns: Costing £2 from Sainsburys.co.uk, these moist buns incorporate roasted carrot shavings, white chocolate chips, and pumpkin seeds, with a sourdough starter for a high-quality, warming spice flavour.
- Best Filled – M&S Extremely Lemony Curd Filled Hot Cross Buns: Priced at £3 from Ocado.com, these fluffy, brioche-like buns are injected with a zingy lemon curd, offering a playful and indulgent twist on the classic, perfect for citrus lovers.
- Best Cherry – Asda Exceptional Cherry Bakewell Hot Cross Buns: Available for £2 from Asda.com, these buns feature a subtle almond flavour with red glace cherry pieces and morello cherry jam, providing a lovely sweetness at an affordable price.
- Best Savoury – Tesco Finest Cheddar and Red Leicester Hot Cross Buns: Costing £2 from Tesco.com, these pillowy buns combine extra mature Cheddar and Red Leicester cheese for a deep, cheesy aroma and flavour, though cheese chunks are somewhat scarce.
- Best Salted Caramel – Co-op Irresistible Chocolate and Salted Caramel Hot Cross Buns: Priced at £2 from Coop.co.uk, these buns include dark chocolate chips and salted caramel fudge pieces that become oozy when toasted, balancing sweetness with a rich dough.
- Best Farm Shop – The Newt Hot Cross Buns: Available for £6 from Thenewtinsomerset.com, these large, slow-fermented buns feature fruit soaked in cyder, a light, fluffy texture, and a crunchy cross decoration, though they are lightly spiced and premium-priced.
How We Tested: Rigorous Criteria for the Perfect Bun
Our testing process involved toasting and buttering each bun as one normally would, focusing on three key criteria: taste, texture, and value for money. We sought buns with well-balanced flavours, whether classic spiced or creatively flavoured, and a texture that was crispy on the outside yet fluffy and moist inside. Value was assessed by comparing price against quality, with praise for options that delivered exceptional taste without breaking the bank. All buns were tested in real-life settings, ensuring our recommendations are trustworthy and practical for everyday enjoyment.
Final Verdict: Which Hot Cross Buns Should You Buy?
For the ultimate hot cross bun experience, Gail's artisanal offering stands out despite its higher price, delivering unparalleled flavour and quality. From supermarkets, M&S's luxury classic buns are a top choice for traditionalists, while Aldi's budget option provides excellent value. If you're feeling adventurous, M&S's lemon curd-filled buns offer a decadent treat, or for a lighter option, Waitrose's Leckford fruit and seed buns are a tasty alternative. No matter your preference, this guide ensures you'll find a hot cross bun to delight your taste buds this Easter season.
