A blind taste test has crowned M&S as the best retailer for hot cross buns for Easter this year as the retailer beat out Lidl, Sainsbury's and Iceland.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has revealed its annual Easter Taste Test results for 2023 where it tested a total of 166 traditional delicacies, with M&S being voted the best for its buns.
The institute tested a total of 36 hot cross buns in total, including 12 traditional, 18 flavoured, and six gluten-free options, with the retailer scoring highly in all three categories.
M&S' Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns, priced at £1.85 for a pack of four, took home the crown for the best traditional hot cross bun with a total score of 86/100.
Testers were particularly impressed with the buns burst of vine fruit and near-perfect texture, which was described as light, fluffy and lightly crisped on the top.
Iceland came in second place with its £1 Hot Cross Buns which were also named the best budget buy after scoring 80/100 with their richly spiced flavour, reminiscent of Germany’s Christmas lebkuchen cookies.
Sainsbury's managed to take the crown for the best flavoured hot cross buns with its Taste the Difference Lemon Curd and White Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, priced at £1.65 for a pack of four, which scored 83/100.
M&S also ranked highly in this category, as it managed to score second place with its M&S Banoffee Hot Cross Buns, leaving the panel impressed with a distinctive banana note and chewy toffee chunks.
Anyone looking for a unique hot cross bun without the price-tag will be happy to hear that Lidl was named the best budget flavoured option with its Apple and Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns, which are priced at just £1.19.
The panel also found that M&S took the top spot for gluten-free options, with its Gluten Free Fruited Hot Cross Buns that scored 79/100. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Free From Caramel and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, £2.50 for 4pk, came in second place with a score of 72/100.
Callum Black, Food & Drink Testing Manager at the Good Housekeeping Institute says: "We started preparing for the Easter taste test back in December, and I’m pleased to say the results prove you needn’t spend a lot for a feast to remember. With the cost-of-living crisis still driving our shopping habits, we’re proud to have included a budget option in every category"
"When it comes to roast dinner centrepieces, our winners reflect the best of British produce, at a price point to suit all. And elsewhere we were delighted to see our top-rated Easter eggs had an ethical and sustainable focus — something we hope to see more of in future testing."
You can find the full results of the Good Housekeeping Easter 2023 taste test online.
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