With Easter just around the corner, we set out to find the best supermarket hot cross buns. Traditionally enjoyed on Good Friday, these sweet, spiced buns are too tempting to wait for the holiday, so we indulged as soon as they appeared on shelves.
Perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or a late-night snack, hot cross buns are a cherished festive treat. I bought pre-packed buns from seven popular supermarkets: Tesco, Aldi, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, and Lidl. Along with my son, I evaluated them based on price, flavour, shelf life, and nutritional content. Here’s what we discovered.
M&S Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns are priced at £2.40 for four (60p each) with a four-day shelf life. Described as rich and aromatic, infused with M&S Luxury Gold Tea, mixed peel, and warming spices, they boast a light, fluffy dough with juicy, large raisins. Each bun contains 228 calories, 1.4g saturated fat, 19.6g sugars, and 0.22g salt. We found them pleasant but slightly less satisfying due to their airy texture—3.5/5 stars.
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Morrisons Hop to It Hot Cross Buns cost 97p for six (16p each) with an eight-day shelf life. Made with vine fruit, orange and lemon peel, and spices, these buns clock 180 calories, 0.3g saturated fat, 16.5g sugars, and 0.31g salt each. The dough was chewy and dry, more like a bready tea cake than a sweet bun, and the flavour was less intense. We gave them 2/5 stars.
Lidl Luxury Hot Cross Buns are £1.39 for four (35p each), with a five-day shelf life. These soft, spiced buns bursting with orange-soaked fruit and honey have 202 calories, 0.9g saturated fat, 20.2g sugars, and 0.28g salt per bun. Known for a quality bakery, Lidl delivered dense but moist buns with just the right sweetness and sticky tops. The orange flavour was notable but a matter of personal taste. Rated 3.5/5 stars.
Aldi Hot Cross Buns cost 99p for six (17p each) and last eight days. Simply described as lightly spiced, each bun contains 180 calories, 0.3g saturated fat, 16.3g sugars, and 0.31g salt. These buns impressed with their great texture, ample plump raisins, and a moist dough that didn’t even require butter. Overall, a standout performer with 4.5/5 stars.
Asda Exceptional Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns are £1.40 for four (35p each) with a five-day shelf life. Made with plump vine fruits and Vostizza currants, each bun has 232 calories, 1.5g saturated fat, 20g sugars, and 0.2g salt. They were soft with sticky tops, but the currants lacked juiciness and flavour. We scored them 3/5 stars.
Among the seven, our clear favourites were the Aldi and Tesco hot cross buns, which offered excellent flavour, texture, and value—at only 17p and 23p each respectively. If pressed to pick one, Tesco edges it slightly, but they are both winners in our book.