Aside from the imminent influx of chocolate treats we're all about to gorge on over the Easter weekend, and the newly-released Easter Colin the Caterpillar cake [1] for good measure, let's not forget the broad selection of hot cross buns that have hit supermarket shelves ahead of the bank holiday weekend. While there is still plenty of choice when it comes to the OG hot cross bun, the UK's biggest supermarkets are catering to every kind of taste with their weird and wacky hot cross bun offerings.
The traditional baked goods, which usually see a spiced sweet bun being studded with dried fruit like raisins, sultanas, currents, and mixed peel, have reigned supreme over the Easter holidays to symbolise Jesus being crucified on the cross on Good Friday. But in recent years, retailers have got experimental with their flavours [2]. There are now salty, sweet, and even a mix of both in hot cross bun twists. But the excess of options can leave even the most decisive people scratching their heads at which to scoop up.
That's where I come in. This year, I've decided to help you out and try all of the supermarket's weirdest hot cross bun flavours so that you don't have to (you're welcome!) While you might think that eating 9 different flavours of hot cross buns would cause anyone to feel a little queasy, the sheer variation in flavours from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl, M&S, Waitrose, Morrisons, and even Fortnum & Mason, the royal supermarket of choice, has meant that I'm surprisingly still not sick of them. If you do overindulge, then there are many creative ways to use up your leftover buns, why not try our hot cross bun bread and butter pudding recipe [3], for a start? So read ahead to find out my hot cross bun review, and be sure to pick up a pack (or two!) in store. Spoiler alert: some are deliciously moreish.
Aldi Salted Caramel Blondie Hot Cross Buns
Aldi Salted Caramel Blondie [4] (£1.19 for pack of four)
Kicking things off on our list of the weirdest hot cross bun flavours are Aldi's Salted Caramel Blondie Hot Cross Buns. As a self-confessed blondie obsessive, I was pretty excited to see these on the shelves at the budget supermarket chain. Each hot cross bun is filled with salted caramel fudge pieces, toffee fudge pieces, and blonde cocoa chips. A dream for any sweet tooth.
What I liked: As soon as I tore open the packet, I was hit by the delightful smell of the buns. These blondie hot cross buns have a subtle sweetness that tickled my tastebuds as opposed to overpowering them. They didn't even need butter to be enjoyed.
What I didn't like: Blondies are famed for their dense, moist, gooey makeup, and these didn't have that same texture. They were slightly dry, and could have done with some more white chocolate chips to compensate, in my humble opinion.
Waitrose Chocolate & Orange Hot Cross Buns
Waitrose Chocolate & Orange Hot Cross Buns [5] (£1.85 for pack of four)
Let it be known that I'm not usually a fan of chocolate orange. To me, those are two very different flavours that should be enjoyed well, well, away from each other. But I thought it would only be fair to give the Waitrose buns, which are each made with dark chocolate and orange zest, a try for the sake of those who (weirdly enough) enjoy citrus with their confectionery.
What I liked: I was nearly screaming, crying, and throwing up at the fact that I actually liked this flavour. Once warmed up, the rich dark chocolate chips melted in my mouth and complemented the Cointreau-style flavour perfectly. It was giving grown-up jaffa cakes.
What I didn't like: I don't have a bad word to say about these hot cross buns. They were delicious, and had a nice puffy bun shape. A great all-rounder and real surprise for someone who usually steers clear of the chocolate-orange combo.
Sainsbury’s Cheese, Tomato, and Oregano Hot Cross Buns
Sainsbury's Cheese, Tomato, and Oregano Hot Cross Buns [6] (£1.50 for pack of four)
In perhaps one of the more extreme departures from the traditional hot cross bun sits Sainsbury's Cheese, Tomato & Oregano option. Luckily, I'm quite the cheese lover, and will find literally any excuse under the sun to include the good stuff in my meals. These savoury hot cross buns, made with mature Cheddar cheese, sundried tomato paste, red Leicester cheese, and oregano, certainly fit the bill.
What I liked: These little beauties single-handedly transported me back to pizza scrolls from my primary school days, and I'm not complaining. They smell absolutely amazing, and all three of the flavours combined really work.
What I didn't like: They are a touch on the crumbly side, which meant that spreading butter was a slightly painstaking task. If you're a cheese lover like me, you might find that the tomato slightly overpowers the cheese element, but they still pack a punch for those who prefer a savoury treat.
Tesco Red Velvet Hot Cross Buns
Tesco Finest Red Velvet Hot Cross Buns [7] (£1.60 for pack of four)
This is the second dessert-inspired hot cross bun to hit our list, and I was already sold from the get-go. Red velvet cake is an absolute classic, so Tesco's take has some serious boots to fill with its recreation. These buns are studded with white chocolate chunks, dark chocolate chips, and medium fat soft cream cheese.
What I liked: Just like a good red velvet cake [8], these hot cross buns have a subtle chocolate flavour in the bun itself, while there are plenty of white chocolate chunks and dark chocolate chips for a little added sweetness. The lashings of cream cheese make for a naughtily indulgent treat. I was pretty hesitant to share these ones.
What I didn't like: Despite nailing all the elements of a red velvet cake, the recipe was still a little dry, but it's nothing that a little extra thick cream (in place of butter, obvs) can't fix.
Asda Lemon & White Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Asda Lemon & White Chocolate Hot Cross Buns [9] (£1.60 for four)
Now, I may have lied when I said that citrus fruit doesn't belong with chocolate, but that's because lemon and white chocolate are really the only exceptions to the rule. I was thrilled to get my hands on these delights from Asda, which are prepared with white chocolate and candied lemon peel.
What I liked: Straight out of the packet, these smelt like a spring day and probably got me in the mood for Easter more than the other flavours so far. While they smelt more lemony than they tasted, they still had a lovely chewy texture and a perfect amount of white chocolate deliciousness.
What I didn't like: I haven't really got any complaints about these buns. Except, as a chocolate-lover, I would have loved a few more white chocolate chips inside, but that's just pedantic of me.
M&S Banoffee Hot Cross Buns
M&S Banoffee Hot Cross Buns [10] (£2 for four)
Now, these bad boys have been doing the rounds on TikTok, so it would only be right for me to try them for myself and see if they lived up to the online hype. In true banoffee pie fashion, M&S's Banoffee Hot Cross Buns are filled with indulgent salted caramel fudge and banana purée, before being finished with a bun glaze.
What I liked: The texture is fluffy and light, and has good chewiness thanks to the lashings of caramel sauce. The banana flavour itself is quite subtle, too. A real sticky treat.
What I didn't like: If I'm being honest, this flavour gave me flashbacks from lockdown where I was guilty of baking a little too much banana bread. But that's not to say that these hot cross buns weren't tasty.
Lidl Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns
Lidl Deluxe Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns [11] (£1.39 for four)
If you're cautious about trying some of this year's pretty out-there hot cross bun flavours, then Lidl's Apple & Cinnamon buns might provide you with some much-needed comfort as they don't stray too far from the traditional baked goods. These buns are lightly spiced with warming cinnamon, bursting with apple pieces, and orange-infused sultanas.
What I liked: This one is the closest to a traditional hot cross bun, but it's still very much deserving of a place on our list. The flavour gives pure cinnamon goodness, and smells like Christmas (in the best way!) If you like a little sweet and savoury treat, it works really nicely with a burger, or as the bun to a sausage sarnie. The options really are limitless.
What I didn't like: There's nothing to dislike about these buns, aside from the fact that it's a failsafe option and isn't that daring. But you know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Morrisons Lemon Drizzle Hot Cross Buns
Morrisons Lemon Drizzle Hot Cross Buns [12] (£1.25 for four)
Another supermarket which joins the dessert train is Morrisons with its lemon drizzle flavour. And as these buns are part of their premium bakery collection, I just had to give them a try and see if these "butter-enriched" buns with Sicilian lemon oil, mixed peel, and orange zest were really simply the zest.
What I liked: After being warmed up, they certainly smelled as fresh and delightful as the description hinted. I was pretty much smacked in the face with the zing of lemons in the air after opening the packet. The texture of the dough made for the perfect base for butter, or crème fraîche if you like to mix things up a bit.
What I didn't like: The drizzle glaze quickly made for sticky fingers, so this certainly isn't a breakfast option for your morning commute if you don't have access to hand gel, or better still, handwash and a sink. The lemon flavour was much more impactful on the top half of the bun, as opposed to the bottom, but it was still delicious.
Fortnum & Mason Date, Pecan & Coffee Hot Cross Buns
Fortnum & Mason Date, Pecan & Coffee Hot Cross Buns [13] (£5.95 for four)
Now we just had to include a totally luxurious bun on our list for good measure — all in the name of research, of course. Fortnum & Mason has long had an affiliation with the royal family, so are their buns fit for a Queen? The buns are said to "contain the perfect balance of coffee, juicy dates, and crunchy pecans", but at nearly £6 a pop, they've got a lot to live up to.
What I liked: These were the biggest buns in size by far, and almost felt like tucking into a proper roll. The big chunks of pecan made for a nice crunch, which complimented the subtle date flavour and fluffy texture.
What I didn't like: While these high-end buns certainly lived up to the name, there wasn't a hint of coffee to be found. In the end, I had to settle with my morning brew, and call it a day.