2025 Hot Cross Bun Taste Test: The Best & Worst Easter Buns Ranked
- Replies 17
Easter is almost here, and you know what that means—hot cross bun season is in full swing! With supermarkets rolling out everything from classic spiced buns to wild, dessert-inspired creations, we at the SDC took it upon ourselves to find out which ones are worth your money.
This year’s lineup features some bold contenders, from Wagon Wheel-inspired buns to Biscoff-filled indulgence and even a Cinnabon twist. Our panel of taste testers didn’t hold back—rating each bun on flavour, texture, and overall hot-cross-bun-worthiness.
So, which buns are a must-buy, and which ones should you leave on the shelf? Read on for our 2025 Hot Cross Bun Rankings!
Coles Easter Arnott's Wagon Wheels Original Inspired Hot Cross Buns | 4 Pack – $5
Ash: ‘5/10. Don't mind the jammy taste in isolation but don't love it when you get a hint of chocolate with it. Also, not mad on the smell. Very doughy. Are hot cross buns supposed to be doughy? The dough felt inconsistent. Plus, I don't love the chocolate bun, I am here for the traditional spices.’
April: ‘Smells pretty artificial, but it’s fairly true to the wagon wheel experience. Actually, it's quite nice, though I wouldn’t personally repurchase it as I’m picky about my chocolate. If you enjoy actual wagon wheels, then this is a fun treat. The marshmallow is definitely lacking, though we split one in four, so maybe another section had more. It’s not filled like the Woolworths offerings, so don’t expect to have jam or marshmallows inside. It looked quite dry but didn’t taste like it. 4.5/10.’
Jon: ‘Chocolately, jammy, doughy... Pleasant taste and texture. Berry undertones. 7.5/10.’
Maddie: ‘5/10. Not too bad if you like chocolate and a sweet strawberry taste! I tell you what, though? I was hoping for some strawberry jam in it. I don’t think it was jam, I think it was some kind of syrup which brings the rating down a bit for me, because it doesn’t have a natural taste, it is far more artificial. Although it was yummy, I think it could have been far tastier if it had more homemade flavours.’
The SDC verdict? Skip this one unless you’re a die-hard wagon wheel lover.
Woolworths Easter Cadbury Caramilk Hot Cross Buns 4 pack – $5.50
Ash: '5/10. Dry. The bun itself is flavourless with only a touch of Caramilk, which was delicious, just not enough of it.’
April: ‘Smells freshly baked. I’m biased as I don’t care for Caramilk. This one is sweeter than the brioche choc chip offering, but it’s still quite subtle. A bit doughy. I would definitely eat it again, but I wouldn’t buy it. 6/10.’
Jon: ‘7/10... It's definitely not unpleasant, but also pretty 'plain Jane'. Doesn't have tons of character and is fairly subtle.’
Maddie: ‘8.5/10. I’m not a Caramilk fan, but I am very much a fan of this hot cross. It is sweet without being sickly, it gives you that chocolate-y flavour without being too overwhelming. If you’re after a nice afternoon treat with your cup of tea, this would be the one I go for! It was a little doughy, but I think toasted or popped in the microwave, it would be perfect.’
The SDC verdict? Best for subtle-flavour lovers.
Woolworths Easter Indulgent Hot Cross Buns Filled With Biscoff 4 pack – $5.50
Ash: ‘6/10. I love all things biscoff, let that be clear. But it felt like this was riding on the coattails of a very big dollop of biscoff. The bun itself was flavourless. If you are not after a traditional hot cross bun, this is delicious.’
April: ‘Not as strong as I was hoping for. Maybe the experience would be different if you ate a whole bun yourself as we had to share the spread among 4. I’m not sure this is much different from adding some biscoff spread to a soft piece of white bread. I’d eat it again, but I had higher hopes. Don’t get me wrong, it’s tasty, but I went in with HIGH hopes. 8/10.’
Jon: ‘8.5/10... What can I say? Biscoff makes everything better, and they certainly don't seem to skimp on the amount they put in. It's very sweet and rich, though, so I'm not sure how much I could eat of this one.’
Maddie: ‘7/10. I almost didn’t want to try this hot cross bun after I had the Cinnabon flavour because I didn’t want to cleanse my pallet after my favourite flavour! But I am very glad I tried it. It is quite a sweet flavour, being like a caramel biscuit, but it is simply delicious without being too overpowering. Although I did just have a little bit, so I wonder if you had the whole hot cross bun it maybe would be too overpowering? I’ll leave that judgment to you! Just remember, you can always cut them in halves to have with your morning or afternoon cuppa over the space of a week!’
The SDC verdict? You’re better off making it at home with a fruitless bun and a jar of biscoff spread.
Woolworths Easter Cadbury Milk Chocolate Brioche Hot Cross Buns 6 pack – $5.80
Ash: ‘9/10. I am into this! I want to make bread and butter pudding out of it. Love the consistency, love the chocolate, love the sweetness of the brioche. Not a traditional hot cross bun flavour profile, but I am here for it!’
April: ‘Tried this after the wagon wheel option and my initial reaction was actually that it’s a bit lacking. This is better for someone who is a hot cross bun purist (or only usually gets fruitless) as there’s a hint of sweetness with the occasional Cadbury chocolate chip. 7.5/10.’
Jon: ‘Light and airy, just the right amount of chocolate – not too much or too little... Very sweet, but not overpowering. Nice airy texture, 8.5/10.’
Maddie: ‘8/10. I am a big fan of brioche, so I thought when I saw this in the lineup, it would be my automatic winner. I have found it is not as sweet as the Wagon Wheel flavour, it’s far more enjoyable and less sickening. It is also a much softer texture compared to the Wagon Wheel one. I would recommend it if you’re after a hot cross bun that isn’t too sweet whilst still having a burst of chocolate flavour with every bite! Remember, if you can’t eat a whole one, you can always cut them in halves and have one with your morning/afternoon cuppa throughout the week.’
The SDC verdict? An all-round winner.
Woolworths Easter Indulgent Hot Cross Buns Filled With Cinnabon 4 pack – $5.50
Ash: ‘9/10. This is what I imagine a hot cross bun to taste like: cinnamon! Also, who doesn't love cream cheese icing? Definitely the pick of the bunch for a traditional and delicious hot cross bun.’
April: ‘All the other reviews are right, this is really quite delicious. I’d purchase this in a heartbeat to serve guests with a cuppa. Ash mentioned that it’s what she thinks a hot cross bun should actually taste like (spiced). I was worried the cream cheese would be strange, but I hardly noticed it. You must love cinnamon for this one. 9/10.’
Jon: ‘9/10... Strong but very pleasing flavour. Can definitely tell they didn't skimp on the cinnamon, and the cream cheese icing really accents the whole thing in a wonderful way.’
Maddie: ‘9.5/10. Okay, I have never had Cinnabon before, having never been to America, BUT when I was growing up, Bakers Delight used to do a Cinnamon Scroll that I absolutely adored. I’d get it once a week on a Friday afternoon as a treat. Since they discontinued it, I haven’t been able to find something like it until now! This is the perfect amount of cinnamon, it’s soft, and the cream cheese in the hot cross bun is the perfect amount of sweet without being overpowering and ruining the entire hot cross bun. If you’re a cinnamon lover (Or cinnamon scroll fan!) This should be your go-to pick! I would encourage you to look past the Cinnabon branding and give it a try!’
The SDC verdict? The 2025 standout.
So, members, have you tried many hot cross buns yet this year? Which flavour is your favourite? And which aren’t worth the money? We’d love to hear from you.
Interested in reading more? Last year, we tried a few other flavours, including Iced Vovo and Vegemite & Cheese from Coles. You can read those reviews here.
You might also like to read: Cremorne St Bakers Choc Cross Bun Cookie Review: ‘Not Happy, Jan!
This year’s lineup features some bold contenders, from Wagon Wheel-inspired buns to Biscoff-filled indulgence and even a Cinnabon twist. Our panel of taste testers didn’t hold back—rating each bun on flavour, texture, and overall hot-cross-bun-worthiness.
So, which buns are a must-buy, and which ones should you leave on the shelf? Read on for our 2025 Hot Cross Bun Rankings!
Which came out on top?
Coles Easter Arnott's Wagon Wheels Original Inspired Hot Cross Buns | 4 Pack – $5
Coles Easter Arnott's Wagon Wheels Original Inspired Hot Cross Buns | 4 Pack. Image Credit: Coles
Ash: ‘5/10. Don't mind the jammy taste in isolation but don't love it when you get a hint of chocolate with it. Also, not mad on the smell. Very doughy. Are hot cross buns supposed to be doughy? The dough felt inconsistent. Plus, I don't love the chocolate bun, I am here for the traditional spices.’
April: ‘Smells pretty artificial, but it’s fairly true to the wagon wheel experience. Actually, it's quite nice, though I wouldn’t personally repurchase it as I’m picky about my chocolate. If you enjoy actual wagon wheels, then this is a fun treat. The marshmallow is definitely lacking, though we split one in four, so maybe another section had more. It’s not filled like the Woolworths offerings, so don’t expect to have jam or marshmallows inside. It looked quite dry but didn’t taste like it. 4.5/10.’
Jon: ‘Chocolately, jammy, doughy... Pleasant taste and texture. Berry undertones. 7.5/10.’
Maddie: ‘5/10. Not too bad if you like chocolate and a sweet strawberry taste! I tell you what, though? I was hoping for some strawberry jam in it. I don’t think it was jam, I think it was some kind of syrup which brings the rating down a bit for me, because it doesn’t have a natural taste, it is far more artificial. Although it was yummy, I think it could have been far tastier if it had more homemade flavours.’
The SDC verdict? Skip this one unless you’re a die-hard wagon wheel lover.
Woolworths Easter Cadbury Caramilk Hot Cross Buns 4 pack – $5.50
Woolworths Easter Cadbury Caramilk Hot Cross Buns 4 pack. Image Credit: Woolworths
Ash: '5/10. Dry. The bun itself is flavourless with only a touch of Caramilk, which was delicious, just not enough of it.’
April: ‘Smells freshly baked. I’m biased as I don’t care for Caramilk. This one is sweeter than the brioche choc chip offering, but it’s still quite subtle. A bit doughy. I would definitely eat it again, but I wouldn’t buy it. 6/10.’
Jon: ‘7/10... It's definitely not unpleasant, but also pretty 'plain Jane'. Doesn't have tons of character and is fairly subtle.’
Maddie: ‘8.5/10. I’m not a Caramilk fan, but I am very much a fan of this hot cross. It is sweet without being sickly, it gives you that chocolate-y flavour without being too overwhelming. If you’re after a nice afternoon treat with your cup of tea, this would be the one I go for! It was a little doughy, but I think toasted or popped in the microwave, it would be perfect.’
The SDC verdict? Best for subtle-flavour lovers.
Woolworths Easter Indulgent Hot Cross Buns Filled With Biscoff 4 pack – $5.50
Woolworths Easter Indulgent Hot Cross Buns Filled With Biscoff 4 pack. Image Credit: Woolworths
Ash: ‘6/10. I love all things biscoff, let that be clear. But it felt like this was riding on the coattails of a very big dollop of biscoff. The bun itself was flavourless. If you are not after a traditional hot cross bun, this is delicious.’
April: ‘Not as strong as I was hoping for. Maybe the experience would be different if you ate a whole bun yourself as we had to share the spread among 4. I’m not sure this is much different from adding some biscoff spread to a soft piece of white bread. I’d eat it again, but I had higher hopes. Don’t get me wrong, it’s tasty, but I went in with HIGH hopes. 8/10.’
Jon: ‘8.5/10... What can I say? Biscoff makes everything better, and they certainly don't seem to skimp on the amount they put in. It's very sweet and rich, though, so I'm not sure how much I could eat of this one.’
Maddie: ‘7/10. I almost didn’t want to try this hot cross bun after I had the Cinnabon flavour because I didn’t want to cleanse my pallet after my favourite flavour! But I am very glad I tried it. It is quite a sweet flavour, being like a caramel biscuit, but it is simply delicious without being too overpowering. Although I did just have a little bit, so I wonder if you had the whole hot cross bun it maybe would be too overpowering? I’ll leave that judgment to you! Just remember, you can always cut them in halves to have with your morning or afternoon cuppa over the space of a week!’
The SDC verdict? You’re better off making it at home with a fruitless bun and a jar of biscoff spread.
Woolworths Easter Cadbury Milk Chocolate Brioche Hot Cross Buns 6 pack – $5.80
Woolworths Easter Cadbury Milk Chocolate Brioche Hot Cross Buns 6 pack. Image Credit: Woolworths
Ash: ‘9/10. I am into this! I want to make bread and butter pudding out of it. Love the consistency, love the chocolate, love the sweetness of the brioche. Not a traditional hot cross bun flavour profile, but I am here for it!’
April: ‘Tried this after the wagon wheel option and my initial reaction was actually that it’s a bit lacking. This is better for someone who is a hot cross bun purist (or only usually gets fruitless) as there’s a hint of sweetness with the occasional Cadbury chocolate chip. 7.5/10.’
Jon: ‘Light and airy, just the right amount of chocolate – not too much or too little... Very sweet, but not overpowering. Nice airy texture, 8.5/10.’
Maddie: ‘8/10. I am a big fan of brioche, so I thought when I saw this in the lineup, it would be my automatic winner. I have found it is not as sweet as the Wagon Wheel flavour, it’s far more enjoyable and less sickening. It is also a much softer texture compared to the Wagon Wheel one. I would recommend it if you’re after a hot cross bun that isn’t too sweet whilst still having a burst of chocolate flavour with every bite! Remember, if you can’t eat a whole one, you can always cut them in halves and have one with your morning/afternoon cuppa throughout the week.’
The SDC verdict? An all-round winner.
Woolworths Easter Indulgent Hot Cross Buns Filled With Cinnabon 4 pack – $5.50
Woolworths Easter Indulgent Hot Cross Buns Filled With Cinnabon 4 pack. Image Credit: Woolworths
Ash: ‘9/10. This is what I imagine a hot cross bun to taste like: cinnamon! Also, who doesn't love cream cheese icing? Definitely the pick of the bunch for a traditional and delicious hot cross bun.’
April: ‘All the other reviews are right, this is really quite delicious. I’d purchase this in a heartbeat to serve guests with a cuppa. Ash mentioned that it’s what she thinks a hot cross bun should actually taste like (spiced). I was worried the cream cheese would be strange, but I hardly noticed it. You must love cinnamon for this one. 9/10.’
Jon: ‘9/10... Strong but very pleasing flavour. Can definitely tell they didn't skimp on the cinnamon, and the cream cheese icing really accents the whole thing in a wonderful way.’
Maddie: ‘9.5/10. Okay, I have never had Cinnabon before, having never been to America, BUT when I was growing up, Bakers Delight used to do a Cinnamon Scroll that I absolutely adored. I’d get it once a week on a Friday afternoon as a treat. Since they discontinued it, I haven’t been able to find something like it until now! This is the perfect amount of cinnamon, it’s soft, and the cream cheese in the hot cross bun is the perfect amount of sweet without being overpowering and ruining the entire hot cross bun. If you’re a cinnamon lover (Or cinnamon scroll fan!) This should be your go-to pick! I would encourage you to look past the Cinnabon branding and give it a try!’
The SDC verdict? The 2025 standout.
So, members, have you tried many hot cross buns yet this year? Which flavour is your favourite? And which aren’t worth the money? We’d love to hear from you.
Interested in reading more? Last year, we tried a few other flavours, including Iced Vovo and Vegemite & Cheese from Coles. You can read those reviews here.
You might also like to read: Cremorne St Bakers Choc Cross Bun Cookie Review: ‘Not Happy, Jan!
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but traditional is best.
