A FORMER England star has claimed the new ‘woke’ Three Lions shirt is ‘erasing history’.

Brian Deane, who played as a forward from 1985 to 2006, called the design of the new kit “ridiculous”.

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The Three Lions comics were unveiled on Monday, with the traditional red cross changed to a navy blue, light blue and purple.

It is believed to be a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners’ training kit, which featured blue, red and purple.

But the change led to fans, pundits and legends calling the shirt ‘woke’, while calling on the manufacturer to return to the usual colours.

Brian, who won three caps for England, is the latest name to join the comic.

The ex-striker told The Sun: “Some people would say it’s just a minor detail, but personally I think there are some things that should just be left as they are.

“Sometimes when you try to progress and develop it doesn’t always suit everyone, and certainly from the perspective of someone like me who has played for England, the St. George’s Cross has always been red, and a lot of people from a older age The generation will take offense to that, and I can understand why.

“I don’t see why there is a need to change this. It’s almost like you’re trying to erase what things have been like in the past, and I don’t think it’s appropriate in this case.

“It’s very symbolic for a lot of people in this country and for whatever reason, branding or fashion, I don’t think it’s relevant and I think they scored an own goal to be honest.

“It’s just something that makes people feel like their rights are being eroded, and it’s quite inflammatory as you can see from the responses.”

However, Nike said the new new shirt and ‘woke’ cross will NOT be recalled by the FA – despite a huge backlash.

It is understood the flag change was the work of a Nike designer, but was also signed off by the FA.

And the FA insists the decision was made to “honor the classic 1966 training kit color scheme”.

The FA told The Sun: “The new England 2024 home kit features a number of design elements intended to pay tribute to the 1966 World Cup winning team.

“The colored piping on the cuffs is inspired by the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, and the same colors can also be found in the design on the back of the collar.

“It is not the first time that different colored St George’s-inspired designs have been used on England shirts.

“We are very proud of the red and white St. George’s cross, the English flag.

“We understand what it means to our fans, and how it unites and inspires, and it will be prominently displayed at Wembley tomorrow – as always – when England play Brazil.”

Earlier today, football legends including Harry Redknapp, Peter Shilton and David Seaman gave their thoughts on the saga.

Redknapp this morning branded the decision “an absolute disgrace”.

He said: “I’ve seen a lot of own goals in my time but this has to be the worst ever.

“Who the hell thought this was a good idea? It’s the cross of Saint George, red and white…would Nike do this with another country’s national flag?

“It’s something that should be respected, not changed for a bit of playful fun, as they say.

“I think it’s an absolute shame. I hope they understand it and think about it again.”

Former England goalkeeper Shilton has also had his say, announcing he was “completely against” the new shirt.

And Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also rejected the new equipment.

Meanwhile, former England goalkeeper Seaman, who played 75 times for his country, said “leave it alone”.

He said: “It doesn’t need to be fixed. What now? Are they going to turn the Three Lions into three cats? Leave it alone.

“It’s the St. George’s flag. Leave him alone. I’m sure if they had approached the boys and asked about it, they would have said no. Just leave him alone.’

It comes after Sir Keir Starmer called on Nike to change the color back to the traditional red.

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THE ENGLAND football team have made headlines of late with a new kit that has sown division among fans.

Even Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer joined calls for Nike to scrap the new kit, but what is all the fuss about?

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Will England get a new kit for Euro 2024 release date?

As the England football team prepare for European Championship glory, the kit they will wear on the battlefield has finally been revealed.

On social media, the English account posted a photo of the kits: “Our England. Our pride. Our family.

The men’s collection, which Gareth Southgate’s players will wear during this summer’s European Championship, will be released on March 21, while the women’s kits will go on sale in June.

The England men’s team are expected to debut the home kit when they play Brazil in a friendly on Saturday before hosting Belgium three days later.

The Lionesses’ next match is a Euro 2025 qualifier against Sweden at Wembley on April 5.

Some fans were excited about the news, calling the design an instant classic that is sure to bring football home this year.

While others have found the new kit to be “too woke” and “too expensive”.

How much does the New England kit cost?

Both the men’s and women’s competition shirts cost €124.99, while the children’s competition top costs a slightly lower price of €119.

If fans want something cheaper, they can opt for the stadium top, which costs £84.99, while the kids’ shirt costs £64.99.

Kids can also buy the full kit for £54.99, while baby kits currently cost £49.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Labour’s Keir Starmer criticized the prices and said they should be cut.

He said: ‘I’m not even sure they can properly explain why they thought they needed to change in the first place.

“They could also lower the price of the shirts.”

Why did Nike change the English flag?

Fans quickly noticed that the traditional red cross on the Three Lions kit has been changed to a cross of navy blue, light blue and purple.

It is believed to be a nod to the 1966 World Cup winners’ training kit, which featured blue, red and purple.

The change led to some calling the shirt “woke”, as they called on the manufacturer to return to the usual colours.

But according to The mailNike will not succumb to the pressure from some English fans.

A Nike spokesperson said: “The England 2024 home kit disrupts history with a modern take on a classic.

“The piping on the cuffs is inspired by the training gear worn by England’s 1966 heroes, with a gradient of blue and red topped with purple.

“The same colors also feature an interpretation of the flag of St. George on the back of the collar.”

It is understood the flag change was the work of a Nike designer, but was also signed off by the FA.

And the FA insists the decision was made to “honor the classic 1966 training kit color scheme”.

Sir Keir told The Sun that the “flag is used by everyone, it is unifying and does not need to be changed”.

He said, “We should just be proud of it. So I think they should just rethink this and change it back.”

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Which kit will England wear?

The home kit is classic white with a blue collar and blue shorts.

Meanwhile, the second strip is all purple and is receiving high praise from fans.

Finally, the goalkeepers will appear between the sticks in striking orange jerseys.

Although some fans are baffled by the away kit, arguing that it is the new optical illusion of the “blue and black dress”.

Why is the England kit purple?

According to a statement from the England football team, the new match kit is inspired by old football legends.

The team said that “the striking purple color is a remix of red and blue from the past.”

So it looks like the team has decided to mix kits from the past, which were usually blue or red, to take the team into the future.

Many fans were excited about the look of the comics.

One said: “So this is what Kane will look like when he lifts the European Championship trophy this summer.”

While a second replied: “Omg we actually win it all.”

And a third said: “Honestly some of our best kit ever.”

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M&S Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns

£1.85 for four 

All you could want in a hot cross bun, it was light and not stodgy with delicious berries. Can’t go wrong with these! – Kirsten Murray 

Rating:

Tesco Finest St Clements  Hot Cross Buns

£1.60 for four 

Tesco’s twist on the hot cross bun is sensational! The addition of candied peel and extra fruit makes it like a normal hot cross bun, but better, and it’s definitely more exciting.

I will find it hard to see a regular hot cross bun in the same way now. – Eleanor Dye

Rating:

Morrison’s Double Chocolate Orange 

£1.25 for four 

They were so enticing, both in smell and appearance, that by the time the first bun had finished toasting I had already eaten the rest of the packet.

When untoasted they had a delicious soft texture, despite me having left the pack open for much of the day. The toasted ones were also delectable but for a slightly different reason: the chocolate orange perfectly melts within the bun and tastes incredible. – Luke Whelan 

Rating:

Tesco Finest Cheddar & Red Leicester Hot Cross Bun

£1.65 for four 

These were delicious. Perhaps not the best choice for those after a traditional hot cross bun, but luckily, I’m not one of them. It tasted like a cheesy roll and could even be used as a sandwich bread, but it still tasted great toasted with butter. I’d definitely add to my basket in the future.  – Alanah Kholsa 

Rating:

Tesco Finest Triple Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

£1.25 for four 

Traditionalists avert your eyes, there’s a new bun in town that might well take the crown for the most delicious Easter treat this year. While this triple choc affair looks like a hot cross bun, it tastes nothing like one – the cocoa-laced dough and combination of milk and dark choc chips see to that. It’s absolutely delicious though; we tried it toasted with a smidgen of butter and it was as if a pain au chocolate had happily collided with a teacake. Filling, flavoursome and a great alternative to the fruity versions. – Jo Tweedy

Rating:

Waitrose Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns

£1.85 for four

 The ideal hot cross bun for those with a sweet tooth. The fruit in the buns wasn’t overpowering and provided the perfect balance in terms of taste and texture. For those looking for a traditional hot cross bun with added sweetness, these won’t disappoint. – Alanah Kholsa

Rating:

Morrison’s Mature Cheddar & Red Leicester 

£1.25 for four 

Delicious! Proper British cheese, fantastic strong taste in a soft bread. Nothing too overpowering, but tasty. I would buy again, and again, and again. Less than 32p a roll? What a bargain!   – Bridie Pearson-Jones

Rating:

M&S Gluten-free 

£2.40 for four 

M&S’ delicious gluten-free hot cross buns definitely lived up to the brand’s renowned quality. They boasted a sweet taste and springy dough, filled with mixed vine fruits, orange peel and ground spices. – Rebekah Absalom

Rating:

Waitrose No.1 4 Belgian Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

£2.00 for four 

A chocoholic’s heaven. Delicious and not overly sweet, you can tell these are made with dark chocolate. They tasted more like something you’d get in a Parisian bakery than a hot cross bun. Slightly stodgy, but in a good way. For extreme indulgence, add Nutella or another chocolate spread. When toasted, the chocolate chips melt into the bread which is another level of decadence. Although be warned, you might be left with chocolatey fingers – Bridie Pearson-Jones

Rating:

Asda Extra Special, Lemon & White Chocolate

£1.40 for four 

This was a very nice hot cross bun, with the tartness of the lemon balancing nicely with the white chocolate. When toasted, the melted chocolate really oozed too, and added to the flavour. – Dan Linstead

Rating:

M&S Extremely Caramely Hot Cross Buns

£1.85 for four 

I had never had a caramel hot cross bun before so was intrigued to try this one out. It was a nice change, but I think I prefer the traditional.

The bun itself was light and the caramel was nice and fudgy, but if you got a bit without caramel it was a bit plain. Would probably be best topped with chocolate or Biscoff spread. – Kirsten Murray

Rating:

Tesco Finest Apple & Cinnamon

£1.60 for four  

Apple and cinnamon is always going to be a winning combination and these didn’t disappoint. The dough was perfect when toasted – slightly crusty on the outside but sticky and soft on the inside. The spice from the cinnamon was a great complement to the sweet sultanas and candied apple flavour, as well as the salty smothering of butter I put on top. My only qualm is that the flavour felt a touch too Christmassy – but still delightful! – Elmira Tanatarova

Rating:

M&S Extremely Cheesy

£.185 for four 

I’m not sure if you can call this a hot cross bun. It is a cheese roll with a cross on.

That said, it is a delicious one. Extremely cheesy is an apt description, there was a strong taste of cheddar that lingers in the mouth beyond the final bite. Creamy, umani, delicious, I wish i could have this all year round. 

Not one for traditionalists but a divine savoury alternative to the classic HCB. Bridie Pearson-Jones

Rating:

Coop Richly Fruited 

£1.60 for four 

Best eaten toasted and smothered with butter, these Co-Op hot cross buns are well-worth the premium price point. While less squidgy than some, it’s packed with a variety of fruit and the famous spiced flavour. This bun has proven to be a reliable option for anyone who prefers the original over one of the new flavoured versions that are dominating the market, so I would highly recommend.  – Laura Fox

Rating:

Lidl Bramley Apple & Cinnamon

£1.25 for four 

The texture of the apple and cinnamon hot cross buns was slightly stodgy, but the flavours of apple and cinnamon coming through were delicious and weren’t overpowering.

They almost felt a bit Christmassy – but don’t that put you off from having them as a warming snack. – Eleanor Dye

Rating:

Sainsbury’s Sticky Toffee

£1.25 for four 

I expected these to be sickly sweet, but it was the perfect amount of salted caramel. 

The texture of the bread was nice too and they had a nice crunch when toasted. Would recommend! – Codie Bullen

Rating:

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Fruity 

£1.25 for four 

These were delicious! Packed with fruit with an extra hint of spice and a sticky, glazed top. They smelt delicious too, from the moment we opened the pack.

I’m not a big fan of all the flavoured buns so I really enjoyed this traditional offering which also went down well with my six-year-old who declared it to be ‘the yummiest I’ve ever had’.

They were perfect toasted with lots of butter and with a big mug of tea. – Joanna Crawely 

Rating:

Tesco Finest Salted Caramel & Chocolate

£1.25 for four 

I have been in mourning for the M&S chocolate and salted caramel hot cross buns since they were discontinued last year, so I hoped the Tesco Finest version would be a fitting substitute.

There was a lot riding on this taste test, but I tried to keep all other variables the same – lightly toasted with butter on top and accompanied by a strong builder’s tea.

As I took a bite into the bun, the contrast between the sweet chocolate and caramel, plus the salt from the butter, was a perfect taste combination.

The texture was light and fluffy, although perhaps a little on the doughy side – but as I scoffed down the tasty bun, I didn’t have much time to notice.

Overall I’m pretty pleased with this product and, while it can’t live up to the wildly overblown expectations I had at the beginning of my experiment, it made for a delicious Saturday morning breakfast. – Jessica Taylor

Rating:

Waitrose Blueberry Hot Cross Buns with a Hint of Vanilla

£1.85 for four 

Tart blueberries and sweet vanilla make for a delicious taste combination that’s more unique than a plain or fruited hot cross bun. 

However, the flavour was quite weak and could have been stronger, with more blueberries packed in for me personally. 

Although the fruit taste is more subtle than I expected, toasted with butter these made for a tasty Easter treat. – Madison Burgess

Rating:

Morrison’s Lemon Drizzle

£1.25 for four 

The Morrisons lemon drizzle hot cross buns were scrumptious.

Soft and sweet with a great lemon flavour, I was impressed with these.

I liked the great balance of fruit to dough because some hot cross buns can have too much fruit – Gina Kalsi

Rating:

Coop Blueberry & Lemon 

£1.60 for four 

These Co-op hot cross buns are the perfect balance of sweetness, tanginess and zest. When toasted, the melted butter oozes into the fluffy bread and brings out scrumptiously strong hints of lemon. If you love zingy citrus and bursts of blueberry – especially on muffins or pancakes – these would make for a deliciously light and refreshing Easter breakfast.  – Jowena Riley 

Rating:

M&S Extremely Chocolatey 

£1.85 for four 

As a chocolate fan, these surpassed all expectations. However, it is more of a cake than a bun – and didn’t include any fruit.

When toasted, the chocolate chips melted beautifully. I had mine with a bit of butter and it only added to the experience. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this is the hot cross bun for you! – Joe Adams

Rating:

Asda Extra Special Extra Fruity

£1.40 for four 

Delicious, moreish, and very fruity!  Tasty toasted and fresh, this is a great hot cross bun, especially for the price. Perhaps it’s a tiny bit on the dry side, but overall great. – Bridie Pearson-Jones

Rating:

Waitrose Gluten-Free

£1.85 for four 

Initially uncertain about the density of the Waitrose gluten-free hot cross buns, I was pleasantly surprised by the perfectly balanced flavour, incorporating delicious orange-soaked sultanas, raisins and currants. 

They have become a new favourite – Rebekah Absalom

Rating:

From cheddar and black pepper to red velvet, the humble hot cross bun comes in many guises these days. And the reinvention you need to try this year is flying off the shelves at Waitrose.

Meet the hot cross bunettone: a cross between the Easter classic and a festive panettone.

It’s ten times the size of a regular sandwich, serves eight people and costs £8. But when I tried to get one in the shop I was told – on many occasions – that it had sold out. So I decided to bake one.

Waitrose won’t reveal its top-secret recipe for bunettone, but I enlist the help of Will Torrent, the supermarket’s senior development chef, who recommends adapting a classic panettone.

“Just add a few more hot flavors of the crossbread to the mix: lots of cinnamon, mixed spice and cloves,” he says.

You will need to reserve sufficient time. Waitrose’s bunettone is made with love over 24 hours in a family-run bakery in Piedmont, Italy – and they’re professionals, so us amateurs need at least half of it to get it right.

Top baker Juliet Sear (@julietsear) suggests making a regular cake tin ‘extra tall’ by lining it 2 inches above the edge with foil and parchment for strength. I give it a try, grease and line my deepest cake pan with butter, and start making the dough.

I mix four tablespoons of warm milk with a teaspoon of granulated sugar and a 7 gram bag of dried yeast. I set this aside to bubble and in a separate bowl, beat 150 grams of sugar with 250 grams of butter (a whole cube – the less said, the better) and a dash of vanilla extract. Once creamy, I break in five eggs and add the zest of an orange and a lemon.

In a third bowl I sift 550g of white bread flour with a pinch of salt and plenty of spices, before making a well in the center and pouring in the yeast mixture, followed by the egg mixture.

At this point the dough is so sticky that I’m sure I’ve done something wrong, but I decide to plow on, roll up my sleeves and try to knead it for ten minutes.

There’s lumpy dough everywhere – on my hands and apron, even in my hair – and it takes brute force to peel it off the work surface and place it in an oiled bowl for the first stage of rising.

This is important, says Will, ‘otherwise you will end up with a tight dough that is compact and sticky in the middle; it needs time to form beautiful bubbles’.

My recipe suggests leaving it in the refrigerator for 24 hours, which gives the yeast enzymes plenty of time to work and unlock the complex flavors in the wheat.

I come back the next evening, knead the cold dough quickly again and mix in 160g raisins (soaked in rum to plump them) and 100g chopped candied citrus peels.

Then it goes into a greased baking tin, loosely covered with cling film, and let it rise again – this time for up to 12 hours, until it has doubled in size.

Finally – and this is seriously the longest bake I’ve ever made – it’s time to cook the bunettone. I make a cross on top with a serrated knife, brush with some beaten egg white and sugar and bake it at 180c/160c fan/gas mark 4.

Fifty minutes later it’s done. A triumph with golden domes, a shiny, hollow-sounding crust and a fluffy, buttery, fruit-filled sponge inside.

It’s so big (a whopping 8 inches in diameter) that I can’t possibly fit a slice in my toaster, so I’m tempted to put a piece under the broiler and eat it lightly charred and smeared with butter.

My verdict? It’s definitely not a hot cross bun. There’s none of the satisfying slowness, and it’s so light it almost melts in my mouth.

But those delicious seasonal flavors are in abundance, as are copious amounts of juicy raisins and sugary fruits. As far as I’m concerned, a bigger bun is a better bun. Just don’t ask me to share it.

SUPERMARKET Iceland has hot crossbread purists hot under the collar and, er, cross by decorating buns with a check mark.

The chain risks upsetting Christians by causing the cross to fall to the ground, which represents the crucifixion of Jesus in the Good Friday treats.

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Research shows that a fifth of customers would prefer that the spiced Easter buns have a check mark, making it resemble the logo of sportswear company Nike.

Iceland’s leaders said they hope to “gauge feedback” from a trial run of the Hot Tick Buns alongside the traditional ones.

Danny Webster of the Evangelical Alliance said: “Easter is the day when Christians around the world remember Jesus dying on the cross and rising from the grave.

“No matter what Iceland puts on their sandwiches, Christians will continue to proclaim the truth of the cross that Jesus lives.”

And Henrietta Blyth, of Christian charity Open Doors, said the traditional sandwiches “remind us that God is willing to become man and submit to the worst evil humanity can throw at him and come out triumphant.” ‘

Hot Cross Buns have been associated with Good Friday for at least 350 years.

Iceland also sells chocolate and salted caramel, and raspberry and white chocolate versions.

The chain’s David Lennox said: “According to the research, it appears some people want to do away with the cross design and switch to a tick design instead.

“The results surprised us, but in true British fashion we are putting it to the test by testing ticks on some of our sandwiches.”

Princess Aiko of Japan beamed as she attended her graduation ceremony at Gakushuin University in Tokyo.

Aiko, the only daughter of Emperor Naruhito, 63, and Empress Masako, 60, wore a navy blue kimono with pale pink sleeves as she braved a storm on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old, who studied Japanese language and literature for four years, wore traditional Japanese split-toe shoes called Tabi, which are an important part of Japan’s fashion and history.

The princess appeared cheerful as she walked through the university grounds on her way to her graduation ceremony in Tokyo’s Mejiro district.

She carried a cream handbag and pink flowers in her raven locks to match her colorful kimono.

Aiko plans to work at the Red Cross after his studies.

Her contractual role with the Red Cross will not impact her official duties, and she plans to perform both simultaneously Kyodo News.

It is believed the princess will commute to the company’s headquarters in Tokyo’s Minato district, although her exact role has not been revealed.

“I am happy to become involved in the work of the Japanese Red Cross,” Princess Aiko said in a statement released by the agency. She added: “At the same time, I feel determined.”

The Japanese Imperial Family has a long-standing association with the charity, and Empress Masako currently serves as honorary chairman of the organization.

Aiko said, “I am happy and humbled to work for the Japanese Red Cross, which I have always been interested in.

‘I continue to learn different things and work hard knowing that I am a member of society. I hope that, even if only on a small scale, I can do something for people and society.’

The exact nature of the Aiko’s role in the Red Cross is unknown. The princess leads a private life and she previously went through a period of bullying and fear during her childhood, which caused her to leave school.

It comes after Princess Aiko’s aunt, Princess Kiko, reportedly underwent a medical test to determine the cause of her mysterious illness, but to no avail.

Crown Prince Akishino’s wife, 57, underwent an endoscopy at a Tokyo hospital earlier this month, but no abnormalities were discovered.

Kiko has been suffering from an unknown illness since last year The Mainichi.

The royal family has experienced painful symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract, leaving her unable to eat normal meals.

The mother of two has been advised to “rest and focus on recovery,” the Japanese newspaper said.

Although doctors have advised Kiko to rest, they have suggested she may face painful symptoms in the coming months.

It comes after claims that Crown Princess Kiko of Japan is unable to eat ‘normal meals’ after contracting a mystery illness.

The Imperial Household Agency said the royal mother of two has been unwell since last year, according to the national newspaper The Mainichi.

Doctors have ruled out Covid-19 as the cause of Kiko’s ill health after the princess tested negative for the virus and flu.

Since the cause of Kiko’s illness is still unknown, medical professionals are conducting tests to find a solution.

The princess recently attended the New Year celebrations and appeared to be in a positive mood as she beamed in family portraits released to mark the New Year.

ONE per cent, two per cent, hot cross buns. . .

Easter is just around the corner, which means it’s time to enjoy the traditional seasonal treats.

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But if you’re tired of the simple roasted berry roll, try the flavor with a new twist.

Laura Stott tries out a selection of unexpected, hot cross creations and rates them out of five. . .

Hot Cross Bun Loaf, 400g, £1.20, Sainsbury’s (in selected stores)

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THIS is truly a genius idea. All the taste and flavors of a classic Easter bun, but baked in a traditional bread shape.

It’s packed with currants and fruity bits, smells absolutely delicious and has the same sweet icing and cross on the top so you definitely feel like you’re getting the Easter dining experience.

It is very easy to cut and tastes delicious with a generous dash of butter, either toasted or cold straight from the bread.

Moreover, it cleverly avoids the risk of your buns burning in the toaster.

Fantastic value for money, you get a lot more for your lollipop per portion than you would for a typical pack of rolls.

It also lasted well – so all in all a fun idea!

Score: 5/5

Mr Kipling Hot Cross Pies, 6 pies, £2, tesco.com

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FRUITY individually wrapped, sweet cakes from a favorite cake manufacturer that make a nice Easter change from chocolate eggs or a typical currant bun.

They are made with a spiced filling and are mainly apple flavored, but also contain a fair amount of sultanas and sultanas.

However, there is also a pleasant buzz from cinnamon.

The delicious buttery and soft shortcrust pastry in the brand’s recognizable style was sweet, but not overly so.

Although the cakes are a bit on the small side, one portion yields a decent portion.

Somewhere between an Easter cake and a Christmas cake, these make a nice change for spring celebrations.

Score: 3/5

M&S Choccy Hot Cross Bites, 128g, £2.25, M&S stores and ocado.com

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Bringing all the delicious Easter flavors together in one bag of treats, these little chocolate-fruity morsels are very moorish and make a lovely alternative to mini sugar eggs.

Made from fudge coated with milky choc. When you take a bite you will find spicy notes of raisins, orange jelly nibs and light spices with hints of caraway and cloves.

Very sweet, and perhaps too saccharine for my taste, but if you have a sweet tooth you will love them.

They are very easy to scoff when you fancy something to nibble with your tea.

But while they are tasty, I’m not sure they mimic the taste of a traditional fruity toasted sandwich.

Score: 2/5

Hot Cross Tarts, 4 x 190g, £3.25, Sainsbury.co.uk

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FOUR individually portioned hot cross bun flavored tarts, ideal to enjoy with your cup of tea during the holidays.

Each treat is made with gluten- and dairy-free sweet pastries, so even people with food intolerances can indulge.

They are filled with spiced syrup sponge and raisins, finished with sweet dust.

Good size, so one is the ideal portion, and with a satisfying, smooth taste not unlike that of a treacle or gingerbread tart, but with a little added spice.

The dough may be a little dry, but the sticky, soft filling works well to disguise this.

A cozy Easter alternative and extremely filling.

Score: 4/5

Hot Cross Bunettone, 500g, £8, Waitrose stores

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At £8, this Easter extravaganza from the posh supermarket isn’t the cheapest spring cake around.

In fairness to the store though, it’s huge, so you get a whopping amount for your money.

If you’re planning a large gathering and need a lot, this isn’t a bad price.

Fusing a panettone with a hot cross bun, you get a light, tasty, spiced Italian cake with butter, raisins and candied orange peel for extra spring flavors.

Cut it into pieces and eat it like a cake, then this will be a real table centerpiece.

It even comes with a bag of icing sugar and a stencil so you or the kids can decorate it at home.

Score: 3/5

Joe & Seph’s Hot Cross Bun Popcorn, 75g, £4, joeandsephs.co.uk

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If you fancy something really original among your warm cross flavors, these bun flavored roasted seed packets are a new way to enjoy the taste of Easter.

The huge, fluffy pieces of popcorn are coated in sweet caramel and taste of mixed herbs and fruits, including lemon and apple.

The aroma is incredible, and once you open the packet it’s very hard to stop eating – but they taste quite strongly of cinnamon, so if you’re not a fan of the spice you might not be too keen.

They are also not as sweet as I expected.

Delicious as a snack while watching an Easter movie, or just to spot on the couch.

Score: 3/5

Hot Cross Bun loose tea, 50g, £7.55, birdandblendtea.com

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INSTEAD of a toasted Easter bun with your warm bevvie mid-afternoon, why not try brewing one to drink?

This pack of loose-leaf hot cross cuppas is certainly different and will be a real talking point to offer to guests, or a quirky spring gift, but the taste will divide the crowd – and personally I didn’t enjoy sipping it that much.

A rooibos blend packed with cinnamon, apple, hibiscus, rose hips and orange peels, which can be enjoyed hot or cold, with or without milk, once it has been brewed in the usual way.

If you like herbal tea, this is well made, with quality ingredients.

The flavor is strong, but that wasn’t for me and it’s not cheap, so I’ll stick to eating my sandwiches and not eating them.

Score: 1/5

Divine Milk Choc Hot Cross bar, 180g, £3.59, various suppliers and divinechocolate.com

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A pleasant change from standard Easter eggs or regular hot cross buns, this generous chunky chocolate bar offers a mix of both flavors.

Delicious, soft and creamy Fairtrade 32 percent cocoa milk chocolate packed with delicious plump raisins and tasty spicy biscuit pieces that really give you a spicy hint as they melt on your tongue.

Very tasty and made with excellent quality ingredients that deliver the flavors they promise.

The large limited edition bar is ideal for sharing or passing around on the sofa.

Or keep it to yourself and just break off a few squares to enjoy as a change from the classic roasted berry treat.

Score: 3/5

SAINSBURY’S has launched a delicious new sweet treat just in time for Easter.

Shoppers are rushing to get their hands on a pack of hot cross buns with the new flavor before it’s too late.

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Facebook group Newfoodsuk announced the sandwiches had hit shelves, and foodies rushed to the comments section to rave about the product.

The message read: “New Hot Cross Buns with cinnamon and brown sugar spotted at Sainsbury’s.”

One person loved the idea, writing, “These sound great!”, and another agreed, saying, “Now these would be Nice!!”

A third confirmed: “I’ve had them, they’re really nice.”

“I have to try this one,” wrote a fourth.

The launch comes after M&S also released a new flavor of hot cross bun.

Sweet treat lovers have flocked to social media to share their joy over the release of the new product.

The new Extremely Caramely hot cross buns with pieces of salted caramel fudge are perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

They’ll hit the shelves just in time for Easter on February 28, but a lucky few have already tried them as they went on sale at Corby Foodhall today for just £3.50 for two packs.

The announcement of the new flavor has been widely praised by Facebook users.

One wrote: “We have to try these,” while another agreed, saying: “Omg how good they look, I have to try!”

A third even went so far as to write: “The only hot cross buns I eat.”

And a fourth thought: “to try with a cup of tea.”

The caramel buns are just the latest new flavor of hot cross bun that M&S ​​has launched.

They also have Extremely Cheesy Hot Cross Buns and Extremely Chocolatey Hot Cross Buns.

A tough supermarket chain has beaten Aldi and Lidl to top spot in a blind taste test involving hot cross buns.

Yet both discounters ended up cheaper than the winner in the test by consumer group Which?.

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Which? asked 73 shoppers to blind-taste luxury hot cross buns from nine supermarkets’ own brand lines to see how they compare.

Upmarket retailer M&S came out on top with its luxury fruit four-pack scoring a total of 76%.

Panelists noted that the rolls had a strong aroma, contained a generous amount of dried fruit and were sweet and moist.

However, at £2.10, or 53p per sandwich, they were the most expensive of all nine supermarket varieties.

Aldi finished in second place, with a score of 73% for the specially selected luxurious, fruity hot cross buns.

The £1.25 pack of four was renowned for its value for money, and the sandwiches for their appearance, aroma, taste and texture.

Their sweetness, moistness and texture were highly rated by 70% of panelists, while 60% said the spice had the right balance.

Which? said Aldi’s hot cross buns are a “delicious, cheap option”.

In third place was Asda’s Extra Special Extra Fruit Rolls, which cost £1.40 per pack and scored a 72% overall.

The amount of dried fruit in the sandwiches, the overall sweetness and texture were all highly rated by shoppers.

Nearly two-thirds said they had the right sweetness, although a third said they could have used more spice.

In joint third place were Sainsbury’s’ Taste The Difference fruity hot cross buns with a score of 72%.

The sandwiches, priced at £1.50 for a pack of four, were known for their fruit content, sweetness and texture.

About 50% said they liked the spice content, but 44% said they were too dry.

In fifth place were Tesco’s Finest hot cross buns, scoring a total of 71%, followed by Lidl and Morrisons in joint sixth place with 70%.

Co-op came eighth with a score of 69%, while Iceland scored poorly, with an overall score of 62%.

Which? also noted that sandwich sizes vary between brands, with Asda, Tesco and M&S’ being fat, while Aldi’s sandwiches were the lightest.

Waitrose hot cross buns were not included due to availability issues.

Natalie Hitchins, from Which?, said: “Nothing says Easter more than a hot cross bun.

“Whether you eat yours plain, roasted or generously buttered, they are a real seasonal favourite.

“The Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns from M&S wowed our panel with their sweet taste, mixed with a spicy twist.

“However, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, Aldi was a worthy second and offered excellent value for money.”

The Sun asked Aldi and Lidl for comment.

In other news: Which one? panel members conducted a blind taste test on caterpillar cakes, with Aldi coming out on top.

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FANS have gone wild for “sumptuous” new hot cross buns with a heavenly chocolate twist.

Aldi shoppers cheered the Easter treat as the packs flew off the shelves and quickly sold out.

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Nutoka Hot Cross Buns are inspired by the iconic hazelnut Nutella flavour.

Milk chocolate chips are sprinkled throughout the delicious pastry, perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea.

With a pack of four for just £1.25 and each sandwich for just 31p, this is a bargain.

Aldi’s Specially Selected range also includes banoffee hot cross buns and white chocolate with raspberry hot cross buns.

And if Biscoff is your thing, you’re also in for a treat with their caramelized cookie flavor pack.

As fans were desperate to get their hands on them, one wrote on Facebook: “I didn’t need these.”

“I think we need to track this one down,” wrote another avid Aldi shopper.

One disappointed customer commented: “I tried to buy these yesterday, all four were sold out.”

Someone else wrote: “The only non-hot cross bun I want to try.”

“Check this one out,” another agreed.

“I think we can put these in the toaster with our cups tomorrow morning,” suggested one happy customer.

Social media users all over TikTok are also excited about the new flavored hot cross buns.

One person said: “I absolutely love them. You know where I’m going on Friday after the school run.

Another added: “The [Nutella] hot cross buns are luscious. Rating 100%.”

While a third commented: “They taste amazing.”

Meanwhile, shoppers also rushed to buy M&S’s extremely caramel hot cross buns.

The new Extremely Caramely hot cross buns with pieces of salted caramel fudge are the perfect treat this Easter.

One user raved about the tasty snack, claiming: “The only hot cross buns I will eat.”

M&S have also released Extremely Chocolatey Hot Cross Buns.

And there’s something for savory fans too with their Extremely Cheesy Hot Cross Buns.

The Extremely Cheesy sandwiches recently flew off the shelves — with some people calling them “the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

It comes as Aldi customers race to get their hands on delicious chocolates tricking luxury brand Lindt.

The supermarket giant is selling “gorgeous” truffle-filled milk chocolate eggs, a perfect treat this Easter.

The packs are made by Moser Roth and cost £1.99 per 150 grams in stores and online.

One happy customer said: “If you love Lindt chocolate, this is for you! It tastes exactly the same, but only £1.99.

Another user said: “Better than Lindt.”

“I’m a bit addicted to them, they’re so tasty,” someone else admitted.

“Oh these are beautiful,” said a fourth.