I tested all the Hot Cross treats from the supermarket and the best was just £1.20
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.
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)
9
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
9
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
9
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
9
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
9
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
9
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
9
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
9
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