Expert taste test reveals the BEST supermarket hot cross buns!
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Get ready to hop into the Easter spirit with a scrumptious tradition - hot cross buns! With so many mouth-watering options available these days - from classic to gluten-free and even chocolate - it can be tough to decide where to start.
But fear not, because consumer group CHOICE has got you covered with a taste test that's sure to tickle your taste buds!
The CHOICE team recruited three baking and culinary competition pros - Adam Moore, Brigid Treloar, and Anneka Manning - to sink their teeth into 21 hot cross buns sourced from popular supermarkets, including Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, Costco, IGA, and Bakers Delight.
Each bun was blind taste-tested and evaluated based on its flavour, appearance, aroma, texture, and nutritional content, receiving a score out of 100. And while nutrition is important, as CHOICE's Shadia Djakovic explains, 'consumers don't really care' - the real score was based on 90% taste and 10% nutrition.
So, which hot cross buns came out on top? Keep reading to find out - and get ready to indulge in some seriously delicious treats this Easter season!
Best traditional fruit hot cross buns
According to Djakovic, the competition for the top spot was a 'battle of the brands’, with several contenders vying for the coveted title of the best hot cross bun.
After extensive taste-testing and evaluation, the clear winner was Woolworths, with their Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns receiving an impressive score of 75%. Not far behind was Coles, whose own Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns scored a close second with 72%.
And here's some good news for those on a budget - these top-scoring hot cross buns are also among the most affordable, priced at just 67 cents per bun. By comparison, the third-place winner - Woolworths Luxurious Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns - came in at almost twice the price, costing $1.25 per bun.
It's worth noting that hot cross bun prices have increased slightly since last year, with an average increase of 10 cents per bun and 60 cents per pack. However, with such mouth-watering options available - and the best of the best now clearly identified - we think it's worth the extra few cents to indulge in the ultimate Easter treat!
Best chocolate hot cross buns
Looking for a chocolate fix this Easter? While chocolate hot cross buns may sound like a delicious idea, CHOICE's taste test revealed that the reality fell short of expectations. None of the nine chocolate hot cross buns they tasted scored high enough (at least 70% for taste) to make it onto their recommended list.
Overall, the judges found that the chocolate chip varieties were drier and more artificially flavoured compared to the traditional fruit versions. The highest-rated chocolate hot cross bun was ALDI's Bakers Life Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, which scored 57% and are priced at 58 cents per bun.
Unfortunately, even this top-rated batch failed to impress the judges as much as they had hoped. Anneka Manning, founder of the baking school BakeClub and one of the judges, commented, 'We had high hopes for the chocolate ones, and they just didn't deliver. They were just mediocre really.'
If you're still craving chocolate in your hot cross buns, the Community Co Chocolate Easter Buns came in second place with a score of 56% and are available at 67 cents per bun. This option has no artificial colours or flavours and no added preservatives, and experts say it has a clear cross and is soft - although it's even better if toasted.
Coles Chocolate Hot Cross Buns came in third place with a score of 53% and are also available at 67 cents per bun. While the experts recommend toasting it for a better taste, they also note it has a salty aftertaste.
Best gluten-free hot cross buns
If you're one of the many people with dietary restrictions who must avoid gluten, you'll be glad to know that supermarkets offer gluten-free hot cross bun options. However, according to CHOICE's taste test, the results were disappointing, with the highest score only reaching a paltry 35%.
Manning expressed disappointment, saying that 'Gluten-free eating is hard enough, and if you can't enjoy something as simple as a hot cross bun at Easter, it's sad.'
That being said, the top-scoring gluten-free hot cross buns were still 'pleasant to eat' and of good supermarket quality. The best gluten-free option, Coles I'm Free From Gluten Wheat & Dairy Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, scored 35% and is priced at $1.33 per bun.
Experts noted that the buns were dense, dry, and chewy, with little chocolate and an artificial flavour. The buns also scored worse when toasted.
The verdict? If you want the best budget hot cross buns this season, the experts recommend Woolworths Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns and Coles Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns. Yum!
But if you have time, then why not make your own hot cross buns? 'With a hot cross bun, you're going to get that warming spice, a bun that's not too sweet and great with butter if you prefer it that way,' says Manning.
Credit: Chef Jack Ovens.
So members, why not join in on some Easter fun and give hot cross bun baking a go? Remember to leave us a comment below to let us know your favourite recipes.
But fear not, because consumer group CHOICE has got you covered with a taste test that's sure to tickle your taste buds!
The CHOICE team recruited three baking and culinary competition pros - Adam Moore, Brigid Treloar, and Anneka Manning - to sink their teeth into 21 hot cross buns sourced from popular supermarkets, including Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, Costco, IGA, and Bakers Delight.
Each bun was blind taste-tested and evaluated based on its flavour, appearance, aroma, texture, and nutritional content, receiving a score out of 100. And while nutrition is important, as CHOICE's Shadia Djakovic explains, 'consumers don't really care' - the real score was based on 90% taste and 10% nutrition.
So, which hot cross buns came out on top? Keep reading to find out - and get ready to indulge in some seriously delicious treats this Easter season!
Easter is almost upon us, meaning it's time to stuff our faces with hot cross buns! Credit: Woolworths.
Best traditional fruit hot cross buns
According to Djakovic, the competition for the top spot was a 'battle of the brands’, with several contenders vying for the coveted title of the best hot cross bun.
After extensive taste-testing and evaluation, the clear winner was Woolworths, with their Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns receiving an impressive score of 75%. Not far behind was Coles, whose own Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns scored a close second with 72%.
And here's some good news for those on a budget - these top-scoring hot cross buns are also among the most affordable, priced at just 67 cents per bun. By comparison, the third-place winner - Woolworths Luxurious Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns - came in at almost twice the price, costing $1.25 per bun.
It's worth noting that hot cross bun prices have increased slightly since last year, with an average increase of 10 cents per bun and 60 cents per pack. However, with such mouth-watering options available - and the best of the best now clearly identified - we think it's worth the extra few cents to indulge in the ultimate Easter treat!
Woolworths Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns was deemed the best traditional fruit hot cross buns by CHOICE. Credit: Woolworths.
Best chocolate hot cross buns
Looking for a chocolate fix this Easter? While chocolate hot cross buns may sound like a delicious idea, CHOICE's taste test revealed that the reality fell short of expectations. None of the nine chocolate hot cross buns they tasted scored high enough (at least 70% for taste) to make it onto their recommended list.
Overall, the judges found that the chocolate chip varieties were drier and more artificially flavoured compared to the traditional fruit versions. The highest-rated chocolate hot cross bun was ALDI's Bakers Life Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, which scored 57% and are priced at 58 cents per bun.
Unfortunately, even this top-rated batch failed to impress the judges as much as they had hoped. Anneka Manning, founder of the baking school BakeClub and one of the judges, commented, 'We had high hopes for the chocolate ones, and they just didn't deliver. They were just mediocre really.'
If you're still craving chocolate in your hot cross buns, the Community Co Chocolate Easter Buns came in second place with a score of 56% and are available at 67 cents per bun. This option has no artificial colours or flavours and no added preservatives, and experts say it has a clear cross and is soft - although it's even better if toasted.
Coles Chocolate Hot Cross Buns came in third place with a score of 53% and are also available at 67 cents per bun. While the experts recommend toasting it for a better taste, they also note it has a salty aftertaste.
ALDI's Bakers Life Chocolate Hot Cross Buns was deemed the best chocolate hot cross bun by CHOICE. Credit: ALDI.
Best gluten-free hot cross buns
If you're one of the many people with dietary restrictions who must avoid gluten, you'll be glad to know that supermarkets offer gluten-free hot cross bun options. However, according to CHOICE's taste test, the results were disappointing, with the highest score only reaching a paltry 35%.
Manning expressed disappointment, saying that 'Gluten-free eating is hard enough, and if you can't enjoy something as simple as a hot cross bun at Easter, it's sad.'
That being said, the top-scoring gluten-free hot cross buns were still 'pleasant to eat' and of good supermarket quality. The best gluten-free option, Coles I'm Free From Gluten Wheat & Dairy Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, scored 35% and is priced at $1.33 per bun.
Experts noted that the buns were dense, dry, and chewy, with little chocolate and an artificial flavour. The buns also scored worse when toasted.
The verdict? If you want the best budget hot cross buns this season, the experts recommend Woolworths Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns and Coles Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Buns. Yum!
But if you have time, then why not make your own hot cross buns? 'With a hot cross bun, you're going to get that warming spice, a bun that's not too sweet and great with butter if you prefer it that way,' says Manning.
Credit: Chef Jack Ovens.
So members, why not join in on some Easter fun and give hot cross bun baking a go? Remember to leave us a comment below to let us know your favourite recipes.
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