Hot cross bun taste test: Adelaide’s best Easter treats reviewed
From traditional to chocolate, apple cinnamon to FruChoc, we review and rate SA’s best hot cross buns ahead of the Easter long weekend.
Food & Wine
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Sugar and spice and all things nice – while the Easter bunny gets busy hiding chocolate eggs for little hunters, it’s up to us big kids to find the best hot cross buns to share this weekend.
The choice is vast. From traditional to chocolate, apple and cinnamon to FruChoc, there have never been so many buns to choose from.
So we grabbed a bunch from supermarkets and popular local bakeries to put them to the taste test.
CJ’s BAKERY, Christies Beach
Traditional, $8.90/six
These guys were recently took out second place in the Baking Association of Australia’s national hot cross bun competition – pretty good for a lil’ bakery in Christies Beach! The unassuming buns have a nice texture and are mildly spiced, making them a family pleaser. We reckon they could do with a bit more fruit.
Score: 7.5/10
BANANA BOOGIE BAKERY, Belair
Traditional, $11.50/six
Points for the name! Jokes. BBB do take their Bs seriously, as they were another local bakery to enter and take a place in that national comp (they came third). They’re a decent size, non-glazed but have an appealing, neat cross. A wee bit more spice would be nice but happy with the distribution of sultanas, currants and raisins.
Score: 7/10
VILLAGE BAKER, Black Forest; Burnside
Traditional, $10.90/six
Plump. Glossy. Lotsa fruit. Things look promising from the get-go with these Village Baker buns. Take a bite and you’ll be pleased that the fruit is juicy, the spices warm and with just the most subtle hint of orange zest, they’re elevated from good to great.
Score: 9/10
DOUGH, Adelaide Central Market
Sourdough, $3ea
The bun game steps up a notch with these spice-forward favourites from the Adelaide Central Market. Super glossy and generous fruit make them sexy on the eye, but it’s the heat from those spices that’ll get you shifting your collar. They’re tasty, yes, but a little heavy-handed on the clove. It’s got us thinking of Christmas …
Score: 8/10
BAKER’S DELIGHT, everywhere
Traditional, $8/six
Chances are you’ve eaten a Baker’s hot cross bun at some stage of your life. Ours are a little flat and a tad dry, but ticks the boxes of spice and fruit – nothing too offensive, here. Toast ‘em up and lather ‘em with butter and it’ll do the job.
Score: 6.5/10
WOOLWORTHS, everywhere
Apple and Cinnamon, $3.50/four
This is possibly sacrilegious but not everyone is a huge fan of sultanas/raisins. In which case, you should consider these HCBs for your Easter weekend snack.
Featuring real Australian Pink Lady Apples and sweet cinnamon chips, they could be described as an acquired taste – especially with its sweet, doughy bread and lack of spice – but if you’re after something different, this is a tasty alternative to the traditional buns.
Score: 7
COLES, everywhere
Chocolate, $3.50/six
More muffin than hot cross bun, Coles’s offering is dark and rich, with lil chunks of chocolate dispersed throughout the bun, which it must be said, is a touch on the dry side.
The strong cocoa flavour definitely makes it one for the sweet tooth who doesn’t want to stray too far from Easter’s customary focus on chocolate.
Score: 7.5
KYTONS, Kyton’s Bakery, Edwardstown
FruChoc, $8.50/six
Lovers of the iconic SA delicacy, the FruChoc, will appreciate this twist on the hot cross bun, which was created 10 years ago as part of an SAFM radio competition.
One of Kytons’ best-selling products, the bun mirrors the sensation of biting into a FruChoc, with the dried apricot and peach paste tang evenly mixed with chocolate throughout the dough.
Whatever it lacks in spice or glaze, these well-shaped buns make up for in FruChoc flavour and should be savoured by parochial South Aussies.
Score: 7.5
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