Call off the search – we've found THE best hot cross buns for Easter 2025

Score: 86/100

If you like a classic hot cross bun, then you’ll love this year’s winner from Waitrose. Our testers were fans of the light, fluffy texture, warming spice and sticky glaze, describing them as “incredibly moreish”. Add salted butter for the perfect serve.

Score: 80/100

Sainsbury’s has stuck to a classic combination of lightly spiced dough, scattered with sweet fruit – proving that sometimes the simplest recipe is hard to beat. We think they’re perfect for those that prefer a more savoury tasting HXB.

Score: 80/100

What sets these traditional hot cross buns apart is the malty, wholemeal flavour of the soft dough. Inside, you’ll find plump vine fruit scattered throughout and, according to our panel, the optimum level of spice.

Score: 78/100

Daylesford makes these hot cross buns by hand on its organic farm in the Cotswolds.

They're generously packed with sweet, flavoursome vine fruit, and candied citrus peel – and our experts described the level of spice as "perfect". Overall, they felt it was a great, all-round classic hot cross bun, worthy of the price tag.

Score: 79/100

If you enjoy a “simple” hot cross bun with mild spice and light sweetness, this is the one for you. Testers loved the light and fluffy texture of these and the crispy cross on top, noting a fresh orange aroma from the plump, moist vine fruit.

Score: 78/100

Co-op's fruity buns promised a lot from their aroma but were slightly less spicy on the palate. However, there was a well-balanced sweetness from the plump, juicy vine fruit, and you could finish with a slather of cinnamon butter to help enhance the warming spice.

Score: 78/100

While the fruit in Aldi’s bakes is plump and juicy, the bread was a little dense, and the spice was extremely subtle – which could make them a good option for children.

Score: 76/100

Our panel enjoyed the sweet, sticky glaze on Marks and Spencer’s luxury bakes, describing the bread as light, fluffy and creamy, with sweet fruit and plenty of cinnamon.

Score: 75/100

Stock up with this six pack of hot cross buns from Amazon. Chunky dried fruit provides big bursts of sweetness, with cardamon and cinnamon spice throughout. Soft and bready, but a little dry, we’d serve these toasted, buttered and with a side of hot tea.

Score: 81/100

Vibrant apricot and punchy stem ginger give our (joint) best flavoured buns a fresh new take for Easter 2025. Testers adored the sweet caramelisation and fruity acidity, finding each bite beautifully balanced and full of flavour.

Score: 81/100

One for the chocoholics, these flavoured hot cross buns from Waitrose smell just like a cup of rich hot chocolate. They’re deliciously buttery and packed with dark chocolate chips and cocoa, which stops them being too sweet, along with a moist, fudgy texture. The perfect grown-up Easter treat.

Score: 78/100

Sticky toffee pudding lovers rejoice – these springy flavoured buns have all the flavour of your favourite dessert. Rich and fruity with a strong date note, the toffee is sugary and caramelised, without being overly sweet.

Score: 77/100

The marriage of candied apples, juicy sultanas and sweet cinnamon combine beautifully to recreate the flavour of homemade apple pie in hot cross bun form. Our testers thoroughly enjoyed the natural, fresh flavour and soft, chewy texture. Superb!

Score: 76/100

These mini hot cross buns are dense and well-risen, with rich, warming spices reminiscent of a fruit loaf and hints of tawny port.

Testers enjoyed the bready texture, which was punctuated by fig, but felt they could almost be mistaken for traditional hot cross buns – a great choice for traditionalists who are after a subtle flavour twist.

Score: 75/100

Morrisons has taken the classic hot cross bun and turned it on its head, by lacing it with the caramel, chocolate and biscuit pieces found in millionaire’s shortbread. As a result, you’ll find melted pockets of chocolate and swirls of caramel sauce throughout, giving this bun a particularly sticky texture.

Score: 74/100

For something completely different, look no further than Bettys’ sharing-style, savoury hot cross bun. Made with intense mature cheddar and parmesan, a hearty marmalade porter ale and a sprinkling of chives, it’s best enjoyed toasted and buttered at breakfast time – just add eggs and bacon.

Score: 73/100

Despite the price tag, Lidl has packed these buttery buns with plenty of creamy milk chocolate, to ensure each bite is bursting with the good stuff. We think they’d make a great option for kids who are less keen on the spice in a traditional HXB.