There's chocolate ones, strawberry ones and some as big as your head. If you're a traditionalist you'll be sticking to the currant-filled, zesty hot cross buns this Easter - but the seasonal favourite has so many different varieties it's become a bit of a bun fight.
Sweet-toothed food lovers may veer towards golden blond chocolate and salted caramel, honeycomb or strawberries and cream. Savoury fans may be drawn towards cheesy buns - and love it or hate it M&S are even selling a Marmite version. No one has to miss out as there's vegan and gluten-free buns on the shelves too. If you want to go large Aldi will be launching the biggest ever supermarket hot cross bun on March 27.
It's as big as a human head, measuring a whopping eight inches. Due to a surge in popularity Tesco will be opening the UK's first hot cross bun cafe on April 5 down in London, with brunch, afternoon tea and even five-course fine dining centring around the Easter staple.
For our taste test we decided to keep it simple and go for the classic fruited variety, delicious either hot or cold. We even tried a controversial way of warming the buns in the microwave but we wouldn't recommend it unless you like you buns squishy and without any crispy bits. Toasting under the grill is the only way.
Four different varieties were put to the test:
Luxury
M&S £1.65
A tangy, rich bun with stacks of fruit make it deserving of the luxury tag. The soft dough is even more delicious warm and smothered in butter. Toasting brings out the spicy aroma of cinnamon and ground coriander.
Plump, juicy sultanas and Vostizza currants, said to be some of the best in the world, are complemented by the zingy orange and lemon peel. Very tasty and worth the more expensive price tag if you're looking for a quality bun. My only criticism is that the crosses were rather feeble and one of them was very off kilter.
Shop local
Birds £1.85
If you're one for supporting local businesses, this is the one for you. More expensive than most but the four buns are the biggest. Hot cross buns can be stodgy but these stand out in colour, more yellowish than brown, and are very light, both in weight and texture, more akin to a brioche bun.
Decorated with big bold crosses, the buns toast very quickly, so don't turn your back on them. Because they're baked locally I get the feeling they're the freshest of the lot and not packed with preservatives and additives. Very delicately fragranced, there's a pleasant citrus taste making it an all round delicious Easter treat.
Supermarket
Tesco £1 (for six)
The aroma hits me as soon as I open the packet and there's a decent, sticky glaze on top. Slightly smaller than the others but there are six to the pack. A good, well-spiced dough and plenty of sultanas, raisins and currants. For £1 they're really good value, with a well proportioned amount of dried fruit in every bite.
Budget
Aldi 65p
Oh dear. My honest opinion? Don't waste your money on the Everyday Essentials' buns. They turned out to be a real disappointment. Not only are they bland, the fruit was so sparse I might as well have been eating a cob. Because I'd nothing better to do with my time I counted the currants and sultanas. It didn't take long, there were just 11 - nowhere near the amount of the other buns. The bun itself was very bready and not very appetising at all.
