The hottest buns in town
Along with chocolate eggs, nothing signals the arrival of Easter more than a hot cross bun. But this year supermarkets have created more alternatives to the Easter classic than ever before, so our consumer editor JON COATES taste tested four of the new creations to see how they shape up...
M&S 4 Extremely Cheesy Hot Cross Buns, £1.90
★★✩✩✩
As these are made with farmhouse cheddar and red leicester they are a very tasty cheese roll, and are perfect for lunch toasted with lashings of butter and a slice of cheese. But in no way are they are a hot cross bun.
ALDI Specially Selected 4 Salted Caramel Blondie Hot Cross Buns, £1.19 ★★✩✩✩
Described as being “packed with salted caramel fudge and toffee fudge pieces” I expected these to be much sweeter than they are. Completely lacking in fruit, they are a good alternative for anyone that doesn’t like raisins and sultanas. But they’re not really hot cross buns.
TESCO Finest Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns, 4 for £1.60,
★★★★✩
Packed with juicy sultanas and candied apple, with just a hint of cinnamon, these buns are appealing on the eye and give off a wonderful aroma when toasted. Moreish and delicious, the added ingredients have improved the classic baked treat.
SAINSBURY’S Taste The Difference 4 Blueberry Hot Cross Buns with Currants & a hint of Cardamom, £1.50, ★✩✩✩✩
These look quite pallid and unappealing, lacking a glossy glaze.they give off a strange aroma of cooked blueberries while being toasted and the hint of cardamom adds an unpleasant after-taste.