Sarah Brealey
The best hot cross buns of 2023
It’s peak season for hot cross buns… But which supermarket’s version won out in our taste test? And could the “new” flavours win over our testers, or is it classic all the way?
Are hot cross buns the ultimate seasonal treat? They’re less divisive than mince pies, and more versatile too, with more flavours on the shelves this year than ever before. Whether or not you approve of non-traditional flavours, we’ve done the hard work for you by taste testing the best hot cross buns – both classic and alternative – in the supermarkets this spring.
Hot cross bun purists look away now – there are even savoury versions this year, most notably in the form of cheesy offerings from Marks and Spencer and Waitrose. (Appearance aside, we don’t think these are “real” hot cross buns).
Now that the Easter weekend is behind us, you don’t have long to get your fill of hot cross buns for this year. So if you’re still in the market for hot cross buns, read our guide to make sure you get the best – and not one of the duds.
Are hot cross buns the ultimate seasonal treat? They’re less divisive than mince pies, and more versatile too, with more flavours on the shelves this year than ever before. Whether or not you approve of non-traditional flavours, we’ve done the hard work for you by taste testing the best hot cross buns – both classic and alternative – in the supermarkets this spring.
Hot cross bun purists look away now – there are even savoury versions this year, most notably in the form of cheesy offerings from Marks and Spencer and Waitrose. (Appearance aside, we don’t think these are “real” hot cross buns).
Now that the Easter weekend is behind us, you don’t have long to get your fill of hot cross buns for this year. So if you’re still in the market for hot cross buns, read our guide to make sure you get the best – and not one of the duds.

The best classic hot cross buns
Tesco Finest 4 Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns

Our favourite classic hot cross bun
Price: £1.70
Average weight: 77g
Calories per bun (average): 206 kcal
Fruity and sweet with a good texture. The cinnamon spice really comes through. Our testers’ favourite.
Rating: 5/5
Waitrose 4 Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns

Our runner-up
Price: £1.85
Average weight: 68.2g
Calories per bun (average): 174 kcal
These sounded nice: made with soaked dried fruit, including Chilean flame raisins, and real butter. We couldn’t spot the Chilean flame raisins, but still a good bun. Less fruity than some, but good bread texture. Solid rather than light, but overall a well-balanced bun with a good range of flavours. Note that Waitrose also do a Luxury version, made with a sourdough starter, butter and cream, if you really want to impress your guests.
Rating: 4/5
Morrisons The Best 4 Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns

A middle-of-the-road bun
Price: £1.25
Average weight: 85.3g
Calories per bun (average): 223 kcal
These divided our testers. There was a good balance between fruit and bread texture, sweet with nice spice notes. But some testers found them dry.
Rating: 3/5
M&S 4 Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns

A solid bun (in more than one way)
Price: £1.90
Average Weight: 73.3g
Calories per bun (average): 220 kcal
Lots of fruit, which was juicy and tasty, in a sweet, sticky bun, which was were somewhat lacking in spice. Our testers agreed that they were rather chewy, but differed on whether this was a good thing. But they agreed that this was a rather lacklustre eating experience overall.
Rating: 3/5
Asda The Bakery 4 Large Hot Cross Buns

Best value for money
Price: £1
Average weight: 104.5g
Calories per bun (average): 274 kcal
These were a surprise as we weren’t expecting much, seeing as they were the cheapest on offer and the largest in size. They weren’t the best we tested, but not bad at all, with noticeable cranberries along with other dried fruit.
Rating: 3/5
Co-op Irresistible 4 Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns

Pleasant enough buns from the Co-op
Price: £1.60
Average weight – 75.2g
Calories per bun (average) – 184 kcal
Not as fruity as some of the others (such as the Tesco, Waitrose and Morrisons buns we tested) but still tasty. The spicing was quite subtle.
Rating: 3/5
Aldi 4 Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns
Could do better
Price: £ 1.19
Average weight – 72.3g
Calories per bun (average) – 206 kcal
These divided our testers – some loved the soft, light texture and the amount of fruit, while others felt they lacked flavour in comparison to others. Not as fruity or as spicy as some.
Rating: 3/5
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 4 Fruity Hot Cross Buns

A dry bun
Price: £1.25
Average weight: 75.8g
Calories per bun (average): 189 kcal
Our testers found these a little dry (which was improved by being toasted) and slightly bland, although some spice flavour (especially cloves) comes through. Not the most fruity.
Rating: 2/5
Lidl 4 Luxury Hot Cross Buns

Our least favourite classic hot cross bun
Price: £1.39
Average weight: 76.3g
Calories per bun (average): 214 kcal
These didn’t have a lot of fruit or spice, and the buns seemed doughy and dense. The word “luxury” seems like a bit of a stretch in this case.
Rating: 2/5
Alternative hot cross buns
M&S 4 Banoffee Hot Cross Buns
Best alternative hot cross bun
Price: £2
Average weight: 65g
Calories per bun (average): 189 kcal
Not one for traditionalists, these hot cross buns are super squidgy and packed full of flavour. While the caramel flavour isn’t that strong, the hit of banana is, which gives it a lovely fruity overtone (if that’s what you are looking for). It feels less like a hot cross bun and more like a dessert – but is a good option if you don’t like the classic hot cross bun but still want an Easter-themed treat.
Rating: 4/5
Tesco Finest 4 St Clements Hot Cross Buns
If you want something a bit different, but still recognisably a hot cross bun
Price: £1.60
Average weight: 70g
Calories per bun (average): 189kcal
A lot of candied peel – the sultanas and raisins get a bit lost under all the citrus. No noticeable spice. They seem a bit dry inside, but once toasted, you don’t notice and the texture strikes the right balance between light and heavy. Good for citrus lovers but, otherwise, they seem like an unbalanced hot cross bun.
Rating: 3/5
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference 4 Triple Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Could be more chocolatey
Price: £1.50
Average weight: 70g
Calories per bun (average): 202 kcal
More like a chocolate muffin in the shape of a hot cross bun, although not as chocolatey as you might expect from the name. There’s no dried fruit. A bit dry, so much improved by being toasted. Definitely for people who don’t like hot cross buns.
Rating: 3/5
Tesco Finest 4 Salted Caramel and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
If you’re buying for children
Price: £1.60
Average weight: 65g
Calories per bun (average): 209 kcal
A claggy, almost soggy texture, even when lightly toasted, which makes them a bit unappetising. More like a heavy chocolate brioche. The chocolate chips are pleasant enough, if unevenly spread. The salted caramel pieces have a slightly odd flavour. Toasted, they are pleasing enough, in the way that most things are edible with melted chocolate on them. One for children, or people who don’t like hot cross buns.
Rating: 2/5
Asda Extra Special 4 Blueberry Hot Cross Buns

Our least favourite alternative hot cross bun
Price: £1.60
Average weight: 62.4g
Calories per bun (average): 181 kcal
They actually contain more currants than blueberries. Still, we found the blueberry flavour overpowering (potentially some blueberry flavouring has been added, as well as “black carrot juice” which gives them a distinctive colour). No noticeable spice – more like a blueberry muffin than anything else. Perhaps if you love blueberry flavour you’d enjoy these.
Rating: 1/5

Written by Sarah Brealey
Published: Updated:
Sarah Brealey is Managing Editor at Saga Exceptional, making sure that everything you read on the website is high-quality and trustworthy. She has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Sarah was previously Editor at the British Heart Foundation, where she ran its award-winning patient magazine and other editorial content. She finds it incredibly rewarding to inform and inspire people with great content that gives them the information they need, and she does this by focusing on what readers want, combined with commitment to quality and attention to detail. She’s also a volunteer befriender for Age UK.
Outside of work, Sarah’s happiest moments are spent running or walking, preferably in mountains, by the sea or anywhere in nature, and she’s an active member of a walking group. Her other passions include yoga, cycling, travelling – especially by train – and food (both cooking and eating it).