Where to find this year’s best hot cross buns in the lead up to Easter

Want to know where to get Australia’s best hot cross buns?

Luckily for us, Choice magazine has taken on the arduous task of trying out multiple samples to bring us their annual best hot cross bun list in the lead-up to Easter.

As part of the survey, the team at Choice taste-tested 19 hot cross buns – both “traditional” fruit and chocolate chip varieties,  from the major supermarkets Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, as well as bakery chain Bakers Delight and warehouse Costco.

This year’s clear victor comes from the humble bakers at Coles, where their Coles Luxurious Fruit Hot Cross Buns took out the top prize for best traditional bun taste test, achieving an overall score of 75 per cent.

In their recommendations, the judges said they were impressed with its unusual addition of dried apricot and noted it was perfect for buttering and toasting.

Choice magazine Editorial Director, Mark Serrels said their judges blind taste tested each hot cross bun by assessing flavour, aroma, appearance and texture and explained that Choice Expert Rating system is made up of the taste test score as well as a nutrition score based on the health star rating of the buns.

“Our experts praised it for its great array of fruits, which produced interesting flavours and textures” Mr Serrels said.

For those immune to the delights of the traditional, fruit-laden hot cross bun, CHOICE has you sorted, for they also make sure to rate the best chocolate hot cross buns in the country.

Again, those baking wizards at Coles have come out on top as they also make this year’s winner in the chocolate bun category.

Up against rival offerings from competitors like Aldi, Woolworths, Bakers Delight, the Coles Bakery Easter Choc Chip Hot Cross Buns scored an impressive overall score of 82 per cent.

Mr Serrels said the judges were pleased with the amount of chocolate chips, and noted that the chocolatey smell was evident.

“If you prefer a chocolate hot cross bun, our experts recommend trying this one,” Mr Serrels.