Not all hot cross buns are created equal. Some come with just the right amount of fruit, while others split in half to reveal a disappointingly currant-less middle.
Non-traditional hot cross buns have become increasingly mainstream over the past few years, with many bakers choosing to bypass tradition and spice up their buns with unusual flavours.
I made it my challenge this Easter to try out some of these non-traditional hot cross buns: the good, the bad, and the ones that should never have made their way to production.
Starting off strong, we have the M&S Salted Caramel & Blond Chocolate Hot Cross Buns. When I tell you that I could eat these every single day, I truly mean it. They definitely aren’t for everyone’s taste, but if you like your hot cross buns to be sticky and indulgent, these are the ones to go for.
The website describes them as “delicately spiced hot cross buns enriched with golden blond and milk chocolate, salted caramel fudge and toffee pieces”. You can also buy two packs for £2.50, which is a massive win in my book.
The ones that I tried next were the M&S Blueberry Hot Cross Buns. These were a massive disappointment after the salted caramel ones. I thought that these would taste more like a blueberry muffin than they did, which added to my mounting disappointment. They didn’t have much flavour and tasted more like eating a bread roll with berries.
Next up is another favourite of mine: Booths Apple and Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns. These are insane. Made locally, these hot cross buns combine juicy pieces of apple with a delicate cinnamon spice that is reminiscent of Autumn. Yum, yum, yum.
I was really excited about the next ones I tried, but again, was bitterly (key word) disappointed. These are the Sainsbury’s Chocolate Orange Hot Cross Buns. I love Terry’s Chocolate Orange and I see it as a major character flaw if you don’t see eating one in bed as the highlight of Christmas. However, these just made me sad. I was faced with a dry, slightly orangey bun and the dried fruits were replaced with tiny pieces of chocolate. There is so much wasted potential here.
I took to Twitter to ask my followers what their opinions were on non-traditional hot cross buns and got some varied responses.
Vision’s Lifestyle Editor, Jasmine Moody, said that she enjoyed the triple berry hot cross buns. These stray from convention by including fruits that are not traditional to the hot cross bun. Sainsbury’s describes them as:
“Luscious hand-crossed buns [that] are all about the fruit. So along with plump Turkish sultanas – soaked for extra succulence – we’ve added juicy blueberries, sweet cranberries and tangy lingonberries. Baked with a special sourdough starter, for a uniquely plump, pillowy texture.”
Ruth Kelner, Vision’s News Editor sparked a debate on the M&S Marmite and Cheese Hot Cross Buns, stating that they’re “unreal”.
Station Manager of URY and Vision contributor, William King, was quick to disagree, stating that the marmite and cheese flavour is “just not what I need from a hot cross bun … I want it to have plenty of sugar and fruit!”
So whether you enjoy a hot cross bun with caramel or cheese, there really is something for everybody.