As the Easter season hops into full swing, Australians are once again on the hunt for the perfect hot cross bun, a staple treat that has become synonymous with the holiday. In a surprising twist, the latest taste test conducted by consumer group Choice has revealed that some supermarket hot cross buns are just as delectable untoasted as they are toasted.
This year’s taste test evaluated 19 hot cross bun varieties from traditional to chocolate and even gluten-free options. Which do you think reigned supreme?
The annual blind taste test by Choice is an event many look forward to, as it pits the offerings of major supermarkets and bakeries against each other in a delicious showdown. Judges, including culinary expert Brigid Treloar, who also lends her palate to the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show, Eddie Stewart, co-owner of Tokyo Lamington in Sydney, and Choice content creator Jane Bardell, sampled hot cross buns from ALDI, Bakers Delight, Coles, Costco, IGA, and Woolworths.
The judges’ scores were combined with a nutrition score based on the buns’ health star rating to determine the final expert rating. The hot cross buns’ appearance—height, dome, sheen, and crosses—was also taken into consideration.
The results were nothing short of a revelation. Coles emerged victorious in both the traditional and chocolate categories, with its Finest Luxurious Fruit Hot Cross Buns scoring a commendable 75%, and its Bakery Easter Choc Chip Hot Cross Buns taking the highest overall score of 82%.
Treloar noted the aroma of the chocolate buns when toasted, which enhanced the ‘luscious texture’ and flavour as the chocolate melted.
She added that what set the winning traditional buns apart was their rich variety of fruit, including candied orange peel, apricots, and cranberries, which provided a symphony of textures and flavours.
The judges added that the best ones were light and not too dense, with plump, soft fruit and a consistent cross—a nod to tradition.
The Coles Finest Luxurious Fruit Hot Cross Buns, priced at $1.38 each, were more than double the cost of the runners-up, but the quality seemed to justify the price. ALDI’s Bakers Life Fruit Hot Cross Buns, which came in second with a score of 72%, were a bargain at 67 cents each, while Coles’ Easter Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns, at 73 cents each, scored 66%.
This year, the judges noted an improvement in both choc-chip varieties and gluten-free options. ALDI’s Bakers Life Gluten Free Fruit Hot Cross Buns topped the gluten-free category with a score of 68%, a testament to the progress in creating more inclusive options for those with dietary restrictions.
ALDI also impressed in the chocolate category, with its Bakers Life Chocolate Hot Cross Buns with Milk Chocolate Chips scoring 70% and costing just 67 cents each.
While the number of hot cross buns tested this year decreased from 29 in 2024 to 19, Choice’s editorial director, Mark Serrels, explained that the focus was on testing the main varieties that consumers are likely to purchase in-store. Additionally, Choice conducted a separate ‘not cross buns’ test earlier in February to explore the growing range of unconventional flavours on the market.
For hot cross bun purists, the traditional way to enjoy these Easter treats is to toast them with butter. However, during the taste test, judges refrained from using spreads to ensure the flavour and texture of the buns were not compromised. Treloar highlighted the importance of tasting the spice and ensuring the buns toasted well without becoming doughy.
As you prepare for Easter, the results of this taste test could offer you a guide to finding the best supermarket hot cross buns.
Do you agree with the taste test results? Personally, which hot cross bun is the best for you? Share your thoughts with the YourLifeChoices community in the comments below.
Also read: Your guide to Australia’s amazing range of hot cross bun flavours this 2025
