With Easter just around the corner, supermarkets across the UK have stocked their shelves with a wide variety of hot cross buns. Far from the traditional spiced and raisin buns, the range now includes creative flavours like lemon and white chocolate, chocolate orange, carrot cake, cherry Bakewell, and more. While this diverse selection caters to all tastes, it can be tricky to know which buns truly deliver on flavour and quality.
To help you decide, I embarked on a thorough taste test of 25 different hot cross buns from Asda, Tesco, M&S, Aldi, Morrisons, and others. Some buns were delightful finds I’d gladly eat again, while others were disappointing enough to stop mid-taste. Here’s my honest review of the best—and worst—hot cross buns on the market.
Cherry Bakewell – £1.77
This bun had an overpowering cherry aroma and flavour that might appeal to fans of cherry Bakewell, but was too intense for me. Its texture was light and fluffy, but that pronounced aftertaste means it’s one to avoid if you’re not a cherry enthusiast.
Score: 1/10
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Lemon and White Chocolate – £1.77
A perfect balance of zesty lemon and creamy white chocolate made this bun a springtime treat. Not too sweet and beautifully light, it was the standout flavour for me.
Score: 10/10
Rhubarb and Custard – £1.19 (Aldi)
Disappointingly bland with barely a hint of rhubarb inside, this bun tasted more like simple sweet bread. A missed opportunity to capture the classic rhubarb custard taste.
Score: 1/10
Luxury Fruit – £1.19 (Aldi)
Classic and well-stuffed with currants, these buns were light and airy. A touch more cinnamon would have elevated them, but they are a solid choice for traditional hot cross bun lovers.
Score: 8/10
Mighty Cheesy – 85p
A surprising twist, this savoury bun delivered a robust cheese-on-toast flavour. The scent was inviting, and the taste matched perfectly. Perfect for those seeking something different this Easter.
Score: 9/10
Salted Caramel and Chocolate – £2
This bun hit all the right notes with a deliciously sweet caramel flavour coupled with chocolate – a lovely indulgence for a treat.
Score: 8/10
Marble Neapolitan – £2
Unfortunately, this combination was overly sweet with an artificial aftertaste. The flavours didn’t blend well, making it a less-than-tasty experience.
Score: 2/10
Chocolate Orange – Gluten-Free – £3
A dry texture and muted flavour made this less appealing for me, though it’s a great option for anyone requiring gluten-free hot cross buns.
Score: 1/10
Extra Fruity – £2
Packed with fruit and spices, this light and airy bun is a delightful traditional Easter choice.
Score: 8/10
Extremely Chocolatey – £2.50 (M&S)
Rich and indulgent, this bun tastes just like a chocolate brownie, perfect as a dessert-style treat. Sweet, but in a good way, and even better toasted.
Score: 9/10
Granny Smith Apple – £2.50
While a promising concept, the apple flavour was too subtle, falling short of my expectations. A sweeter bun overall but needing a stronger apple punch.
Score: 6/10
Extremely Lemon – £3
Containing lemon curd, this bun was tangy but lacked a strong lemon flavour throughout.
Score: 6/10
Luxury Fruited – £2.50
Soft, fluffy, and fruit-filled, this bun could use a bit more spice but stands as a solid traditional option.
Score: 7/10
Berry Blush – £2.50
A sweet, fruity treat with a generous size and soft texture. Perfect for strawberry lovers.
Score: 9/10
Apple and Cinnamon – £2
Robust apple flavour paired with a hint of cinnamon. More cinnamon would improve this, but it’s a pleasant bun overall.
Score: 7/10
St Clements – £2
A zesty, fruity alternative to classic buns with a nice tanginess and bold flavour.
Score: 8/10
Belgian Chocolate – £2.50
A rich, brownie-like treat with melting chocolate chunks. Better suited for an indulgent snack than breakfast due to its richness.
Score: 9/10
Leckford Fruit and Seed – £2.50
Classic fruit bun enhanced with seeds. Soft and tasty but could benefit from a stronger cinnamon kick.
Score: 8/10
Milk Chocolate and Fudge – £2
Ideal for chocolate fans, toasted perfectly with rich melted chocolate and fudge pieces. Not dry or overly sweet.
Score: 9/10
Lemon and White Chocolate – £2
Light and fragrant, though slightly milder in flavour compared to Asda’s version.
Score: 8/10
Rhubarb and Ginger – £2
Too sweet and lacking ginger flavour, this bun fell flat on overall taste.
Score: 3/10
Carrot Cake – £2
A surprising hit that truly tasted like carrot cake. Well-spiced with a pleasant aftertaste—definitely worth trying if you enjoy carrot cake.
Score: 8/10
Double Chocolate and Cherry – £2
A licorice-like aftertaste made this less enjoyable for me, especially given my dislike of cherries.
Score: 1/10
Apple and Cinnamon – £1.80
A traditional fruity bun with apple chunks and cinnamon, though could use a bit more spice to enhance the flavour.
Score: 8/10
Lemon Drizzle – £1.80 (Morrisons)
Thick, rustic buns with a sweet, tangy lemon aroma. Slightly artificial but enjoyable.
Score: 6/10
Best Buy:
Asda’s Lemon and White Chocolate hot cross buns at £1.77 stood out for flavour, texture, and value, making them my top pick for Easter 2026.
Whatever your taste preference this Easter, there’s a hot cross bun out there for you—whether classic, fruity, savoury, or indulgent.