UK supermarket’s best Hot Cross Buns for Easter 2023 – review

Hot Cross Bun season is officially among us with Britons flocking to supermarkets far and wide to pick up a packet or two. Express.co.uk tried and reviewed Hot Cross Buns from Tesco, Morrisons, Lidl and Waitrose ahead of Easter weekend.

Hot Cross Buns are described as “sweet buns that are lightly spiced and studded with raisins or currants”, as per The Kitchn.

They are then finalised with a cross either piped on with icing or etched into the dough. Hot Cross Buns are a staple Easter snack not only due to their delicious taste but also their historical and religious significance.

In Christian tradition, the cross on top of the bun is thought to allude to the crucifixion of Jesus.

According to Ina Taylor and Ina Turner who wrote Christianity, the spices inside the bun represent the spices put on the body of Jesus, while the sweet fruits show that Christians no longer have to eat plain foods. Here’s how each supermarket fared when it came to making this delicious seasonal concoction.

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Tesco

Tesco Hot Cross Buns, Richly Fruited – 99p for six buns

Tesco’s Hot Cross Buns were the first batch that Express.co.uk tried during our Easter taste test.

The team were pretty impressed with the quality and quantity of raisins – it was “richly fruited” as promised, containing “plump sultanas, currants, raisins and mixed peel”.

However, they found the bun itself rather dry and tough. 2/5.

Waitrose

Waitrose Essential Hot Cross Buns – £1.10 for four buns

Finally, Express.co.uk sampled Waitrose’s own label buns packed with “soaked sultanas, currants and citrus peel”.

The team thought it was very tasty although its paler appearance let it down slightly. 3/5.

Overall Morrisons The Best Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns came out the clear winner, praised by the team for their fruitiness and zest.