The ultimate hot cross bun taste test! We tried and rated 35 varieties from traditional to quirky tiramisu-flavoured - and a budget £1.20 pack came out on top
- Read on to discover which hot cross buns must be added to your basket
- READ MORE: Quirkiest Easter eggs of 2026 tried and tested: From 'glorious' to 'limp and sad', the chocolate treats that are really worth your money
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Forget chocolate eggs, for many of us the hot cross bun is the best Easter treat - enjoyed straight out of the packet with a warm brew or toasted with a generous helping of butter.
From gluten-free options to flavours ranging from tiramisu, to cherry bakewell and even apple crumble, there is something for everyone this Easter as the sweet smell of cinnamon pervades supermarket aisles.
Yet with dozens of supermarkets offering their own versions, it can be hard to be sure which type is the best to snap up ahead of the festivities.
To find the best choice, the Daily Mail's team of tasters has tried 35 of the UK supermarkets' hot cross bun offerings.
They may not be one a penny or two a penny, but some budget hot cross buns ranked highly among our tasters - with Lidl's £1.19 cheesy hot cross buns a particular hit, while Tesco Finest's offerings were praised as nothing short of 'sensational'.
Our reviewers also looked to some more upmarket offerings and niche hot cross bun selections. From M&S and Waitrose to GAIL's, no bun was left untouched here.
Read on to discover which hot cross buns should be added to your basket in the run up to Easter, and which ones are perhaps better left on the shelf...
How we test Hot Cross Buns
The Daily Mail Lifestyle team sampled 35 Hot Cross Buns from supermarkets (and other popular brands), looking at everything from taste, structural integrity and how well the bakes handle being toasted.
Looking at how well promised flavours are executed was a priority, as well as seeing whether the concoction presented made sense.
Why trust us
Our food reviewers help paint a picture of the average consumer, with various people in the team having specific tastes and diets to cater to. For example, some can't stand dried fruit, while others would much more likely reach for a savoury bun over a sweet.
Overall, we present a normal shopper - so you know our recommendations of what to buy (and what to bin) can be trusted.
Verdict: If you are in the mood for an indulgent treat this Easter, look no further. I had these by themselves, not toasted or with any butter, and they were absolutely delicious. In fairness, they were more like eating cake than a hot cross bun. This is perhaps because each one is crammed with milk chocolate chips and strawberry-flavoured jelly fruit pieces. Even the cross on the outside of the soft bun is chocolate-covered. Fair warning, though, they are almost sickly sweet, so if that is not your thing, these might be best avoided. But for those of us with a sweet tooth, the only problem is that they taste so good, one or two (maybe even three or four) might not be enough. And at 214 calories, they are on the high side for a hot cross bun. But definitely worth it, I'd say.
Verdict: I love a toasted hot cross bun and couldn’t wait to try the Luxury fruited ones. I cut in half and toasted mine, and then served with butter. They tasted homemade, they were that good, the right amount of spice and fruit to make it the perfect hot cross bun. Would definitely buy again.
Verdict: Traditionalists look away! These Lidl's 4 Cheesy Hot Cross Buns aren't your normal offering, but they sure are good. They're light and soft - and live up to their name with the pockets of gooey cheddar. If you're not afraid to go savoury this Easter, these are a safe bet - and for £1.19 - an affordable one, too.
Verdict: This is the banker. The one that never fails, the one that never WILL fail. And now - with even more fruit. Each succulent raisin is like a warm embrace, each bite of toasted - it has to be toasted - bun is a firm but satisfying handshake. And as you lick your lips at the end, you can rest easy in the notion that you are one step closer to divine redemption (I think?).
This offering from Tesco's Finest may indeed be a rare example of a piece of supermarket branding aptly describing the product - especially when lathered in butter and jam and served with a steaming mug of tea. Sensational.
Verdict: As a life-long raisin hater, I have never been a fan of hot cross buns, but these rhubarb and custard offerings from Aldi are a game changer who anyone who is not a fan of dried fruits. They are sweet but not too sweet and come with a healthy amount of rhubarb pieces and streaks of custard. The dough was tasty, but they could have been slightly more moist, which prevents them from getting five stars.
Verdict: Lemon curd was an elite addition to a hot cross bun, and I hope this returns next year! The citrusy tang was perfect but didn't overpower the sweetness of the buns and smelt really good. A fun, fresh, flavour that feels like spring!
Verdict: Traditionalists, this is certainly one for you! With delightful flavours of golden raisins, currants and a mix of cinnamon, there is no denying the excellent value for money for these hot cross buns.
Certainly proof that you shouldn't mess with what is tried and tested, I enjoyed this both toasted and untoasted while basking in the sun. A splendid offering for your Good Friday treats at a fabulous price.
Verdict: It is always a good sign when you are hit by a warm waft of cinnamon and nutmeg before you've even tucked into your baked goods. So it is safe to say that I was sold on the Gail's hot cross bun before I had even taken my first bite. And the taste did not disappoint.
The bun itself was packed full of cranberries and sultanas, and the spiced syrup made for the perfect glaze. Admittedly, the one let down was the texture of the bun itself - it was slightly drier than would have been preferred. But the perfect mix of spices more than made up for it.
Verdict: My initial response was pure joy when I realised these hot cross buns came mini - a sweet touch which I haven't seen elsewhere.
When I first bit into the hot cross bun, I was slightly concerned by the element of dry taste; however, having toasted my second mini one, my view was more positively restored as I thoroughly enjoyed the taste of fruit and raisins. Overall, a perfectly satisfactory bun made just that extra bit more festive with the mini touch.
Verdict: Traditionalists look away now...a hint of citrus and chips of white chocolate might veer away from the classic dried fruit formula, but it really works here. The buns were soft, even after toasting, and such is the chocolate hit you don't need to add butter if you don't want to. Kids will love them as an easy post-school snack.
Verdict: M&S has launched a brand new flavour with its Red Velvet offering - but there's a catch. After I was mercilessly mocked by my colleagues for not toasting the bun, it seems M&S actually recommend eating it 'like a doughnut' to preserve the white chocolate filling. Questions have been raised about whether the M&S variant can even really be deemed a hot cross bun - but I must strongly make the case that it deserves a spot on your Easter table because it is delicious. The red buns are perfectly soft and fluffy, the white chocolate filling is not cloyingly sweet, and the chocolate chips are a nice substitute for sultanas (which I don't love). One review said it was the perfect hot cross bun for those who don't like hot cross buns, and I couldn't agree more.
Verdict: Warm and chocolatey, this is a classic that you can’t go wrong with. The soft and fluffy dough was packed with chocolate chips and tasted even more incredible when toasted with butter - or you can top them up with a Nutella spread for extra richness. These were hands down a crowd pleaser that left you wanting more with every bite. The buns had the perfect balance of sweet and savoury so that they weren’t too sickly. It’s true that sometimes less is more, and these delicious treats did not disappoint.
Verdict: This hot cross bun was so fruity - the currants and raisins were succulent and full of flavour. It was also soft without being sticky, as some hot cross buns can be. I tried it cold, but I can imagine it would be just as delicious warmed up with butter.
Verdict: Gold Star value for money. Very surprised at the standard of quality with these hot cross buns. Almost on par with the M&S luxury buns, but just a little drier. There were equal measurements of fruit and spice, and if blindfolded, would struggle to tell which was which.
Verdict: As a lover of the popular Italian dessert, I was keen to get my hands on this unique hot cross bun flavour, and it certainly did not disappoint.
While, admittedly, the chocolatey taste made them feel more like a dessert, rather than a bun, I liked them a lot more than I thought I initially would and particularly enjoyed the delicious aftertaste with my morning coffee. In many ways, I'd say they were similar to a chocolate croissant, but in bun form.
Verdict: Salted caramel always carries the danger of being too sickly sweet. That, alongside the fact that almost everything now has a salted caramel variant, means I usually stay well clear of the flavour. But these Tesco Finest salted caramel and chocolate hot cross buns were surprisingly tasty. They were perfectly moist and were the right balance of sweet to salty caramel. Every few bites were punctuated by a small salted caramel fudge piece, which felt like a reward for getting through the bread. Unlike regular hot cross buns, they didn't even require butter. It's not the cheapest option at £2, but this shouldn't be a regular purchase unless you like visits to the dentist. Avoid if you are looking for the classic experience, though; there are no signs of raisins here.
Verdict: I’m firmly in the ‘classic’ camp: why must we mess with the tried-and-tested subtly spiced flavours of the hot cross bun? Which means I’m a harsh critic of newfangled takes on the humble Easter treat. This Waitrose offering doesn’t veer too far from the traditional shape and style – no doughnut-like filled centre here, phew – but instead introduces a generous scattering of milk chocolate chunks and soft fudge pieces in place of dried fruit. It’s not excessively sweet and retains hints of cinnamon and nutmeg in the dough. Halving the bun and lightly toasting transforms it into a rich, congealed pudding – much more like a dessert. It’s far more balanced than you might expect; one for purists tempted by a sliver of indulgence.
Verdict: The Co-Op hot cross buns will do the job as an Easter treat. However, with such an eclectic range of different flavours on offer, these plain buns left me feeling underwhelmed. For those who prefer the more classic or traditional take on the holiday snack, these are the perfect pick. But this is 2026, and it is time to be more adventurous and try one of the more exciting variations available.
Verdict: From the outset, this flavour sounds delicious - but sadly, they were all lemon and not enough white chocolate. That being said, the texture was nice and fluffy - and much better than some others I’ve tasted. To score higher, much more white chocolate is required - it is Easter after all!
Verdict: The ASDA Cherry Bakewell Hot Cross Buns were a perfectly pleasant elevensies bite, with glace cherries scattered throughout the bun providing a nice sugary hit to tide me over until lunchtime. But the 'Morello cherry jam' and 'subtle, sweet almond flavour' touted on the packet were nowhere to be found. Where was the oozing centre I had been promised? Where was the taste of marzipan which makes a cherry Bakewell so irresistible? The adjective 'subtle' was doing a lot of heavy lifting - and far too much, in my opinion, to meet the brief. With jam and almonds firmly out of sight, and the fruit left to carry the product alone, it left this baked good tasting rather too like a normal hot cross bun. Not in itself problematic - but certainly so when the packaging pronounces a different beast with great fanfare. This should have been a flavour sensation - but it left me wanting a bolder vision.
Verdict: A splash of white chocolate and I’m there. This is a fun, cheeky take on the old Easter snack. It remains loyal to the core of what a hot cross is and should be. Slightly fruity, gorgeous toasted with a (un)healthy slab of butter. But when you get to that lucky nugget of white chocolate, it's as if you have stumbled upon a rogue five-pound note - surprising and triumphant. The carrot cake element being the carrot is also worth noting - it’s not overwhelming (how could it be when it only accounts for four per cent of the bun…) and pairs nicely with the added pumpkin seeds.
Verdict: An attempt to infuse strawberries and cream flavour into a hot cross bun, this did not leave me reaching for a second. While the presentation was nice with pretty pink streaks, the flavour was rather artificial tasting and lacked the warm aromatic taste typically found in hot cross buns. The dough was also dense instead of light and fluffy, and did not feel particularly indulgent, given they were from Tesco’s Finest range. This made it all the more disappointing given the branding and price range. However, salvaging its sins were the lovely raisins, which gave it a good kick. Save your pennies and pick a classic flavour instead.
Verdict: As a first-time adventurer into the world of hot cross buns, I opened this packet and fired up the toaster with giddy excitement. The result? They were fine. Not bad, not life-changing - just fine, really.
The apple was delicious, and the scattering of sultanas kept my sweet tooth entertained, but I couldn’t help but feel the cinnamon got lost on its way to the party.
It would also be remiss of me not to mention that a heroic slathering of butter staved off the dry texture and kept me from reaching for my cup of coffee. All in all: a respectable bun, if not a bit underwhelming.
Verdict: Initially, I was nervous to try this flavour, but I couldn't have been more wrong. One bite in, and I was left overwhelmed by the sweet taste of cherry, perfectly mixed with a savoury pastry that left an aftertaste I craved to re-live. Certainly one I would buy again.
Verdict: I expected nothing but the best from Waitrose's hot cross bun offering and was pleased by the plump sultanas I could spot as I cut their extra fruity buns in half to toast. But I was thoroughly disappointed by them. After just a light toasting, they crumbled to dust, and I was left with nothing but ash in my mouth (almost literally). Untoasted, the story was the same, and no amount of extra fruit could compensate.
Verdict: As soon as I bit into the bun, an artificial liquorice flavour hit my tongue. The addition of cherry into an otherwise moist and nicely chocolate-scattered dough was unnecessary. It also didn’t taste much like natural or glace cherry, but more like liquorice. A plain chocolate, or a chocolate and strawberry or raspberry would improve the flavour, I feel. Otherwise, however, it wasn’t dry, and it was nicely doughy and spongy, and didn’t have a soggy bottom either. Consistency was perfect, but the flavours were amiss for me!
Verdict: This hot cross bun tasted a bit like something had burnt in the oven. It was sticky, and I liked that there were a few chunky pieces of apple in there (as there should be), but the dough itself was a bit too aerated - giving it a drier consistency than one might desire.
Apple and cinnamon work beautifully in hot cross buns, and so the flavours shouldn't have been that difficult to get right. But unfortunately, the potential was not quite met, and this pairing would have been much nicer had the buns been homemade.
Verdict: These buns had no lemon nor drizzle, and even the basic vine fruits tasted bland. The dough held together well and wasn't torn apart when taken out of the toaster, but the structural integrity meant little when not even a slather of butter could salvage the flavour.
Verdict: I was unsure how to feel about the seed and fruit hot cross buns from Waitrose, which included sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds as well as the usual dried fruit suspects. And I was right not to trust them - they tasted like something designed to be 'good for you' and had all the appeal of musli once toasted. Dry and flavourless - the opposite of the Easter message.
Verdict: A reasonable option, but there are definitely better options out there for an Easter treat. The Bramley apple and Cinnamon crumble flavourings were generous, though the latter could've had a crunchier topping over the buns. When it came to overall bun structural integrity and springiness, they were excellent. And in fairness, my pack was two days past its best-before date, but still tasted soft and fresh. However, they were slightly stingy with the dried fruit, which worked for me, as I'm personally opposed to a fruit overload.
Verdict: These hot cross buns may be mighty by name, but they are more meek by nature. Aldi's attempt at a savoury hot cross bun is mildly cheesy at best, with an ever-so-slight hint of yeast extract. In fact, I would go as far to say this baked good is a glorified bread roll with a cross on the top of it. I did, however, only eat it with butter and from the picture on the front of the package, the bun is best tried with Marmite and butter. So perhaps if I had it with Marmite (other yeast extracts are available) maybe I would have liked it.
Verdict: These were not rich, nor fruity, unfortunately. An unusually bland bun that wasn't improved even when I slathered it in butter and hit it with a few flakes of salt, but may be a nice pick for people who are averse to dried fruit, as there was a pretty measly amount of raisins.
Verdict: These were definitely not good, but it would be too far to say they were bad. The best way to describe them is that they taste like fairly stale chocolate cake. And a cake that lacks the icing necessary to make it taste delicious. But at £1.80 for four, they prove a decent option for a treat on a budget. I had them straight out of the pack, but I'm sure if they were toasted and slathered in butter, they would improve to at least a 3/5
Verdict: This one is…an acquired taste. The sense of rhubarb seems to be lacking overall, the only giveaway being the vaguely pink colouring of the bun itself. Although the specks of ginger throughout do come as a nice surprise, there is a tangy aftertaste that can’t quite shake the feeling of being a long-lost cousin to washing-up liquid. The novelty is there, but this hot cross bun is one to leave behind on the shelf - stick with the classics in this case instead.
Verdict: M&S offers the best gluten-free sweet treat range on the market. Unlike other supermarkets, they have found ways to replicate the flakiness of a croissant and the sponginess of a cake in a manner that is surprisingly hard.
So when it came to trying their new hot cross bun, I was extremely excited. Fresh, toasted and accompanied by a slab of butter, to the untrained eye it could have easily been glutinous.
However, I was disappointed by the results in this case - a rare miss for M&S. The texture of the bun felt a little stodgy and the spices felt too aromatic for my palate.
The bun did offer a generous portion of sultanas and currants which were enjoyable, but for me, it wasn't quite enough to redeem the product.
