ONE a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns . . .
Easter is nearly upon us, which means it’s time to tuck in to the traditional seasonal treats.
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But if you’re bored of the basic toasted currant bun, why not try the flavour with a novel twist.
Laura Stott tries a selection of unexpected hot cross creations and gives them a score out of five . . .
Hot Cross Bun Loaf, 400g, £1.20, Sainsbury’s (in selected stores)
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THIS really is a genius idea. All the taste and flavours of a classic Easter bun but baked in a traditional loaf shape.
It’s packed with currants and fruity bits, smells absolutely gorgeous and has the same sweet glaze and cross on the top, so you definitely feel like you are getting the Easter eating experience.
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It is very easy to slice and tastes delicious with lashings of butter, either toasted or cold straight from the loaf.
Also, it cleverly avoids the risk of burning your bun tops in the toaster.
Fantastic value for money, you get a lot more for your lolly per portion than you would from a typical pack of buns, too.
It also lasted well – so all in all, a loafly idea!
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Score: 5/5
McDonald’s release their Easter menu treats including Hot Cross Bun pie
Mr Kipling Hot Cross Pies, 6 pies, £2, tesco.com
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FRUITY individually wrapped, sweet pies from a favourite cake producer that make a fun Easter change from chocolate eggs or a typical currant bun.
Made with a spiced filling, they are primarily apple flavoured but have a decent amount of sultanas and raisins too.
There’s also a pleasant buzz of cinnamon coming though.
The nice buttery and soft shortcrust pastry in the brand’s recognisable style was sweet, but not overly so.
Although the pies are a bit on the small side, one serving provides a decent portion.
Somewhere between an Easter cake and a Christmas mince pie, these make a lovely change for Springtime celebrations.
Score: 3/5
M&S Choccy Hot Cross Bites, 128g, £2.25, M&S stores and ocado.com
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MERGING all the crowd-pleasing Easter tastes into one bag of treats, these little chocolate, fruity morsels are very moorish and make a nice alternative to mini sugar eggs.
Made of fudge that has been coated with milky choc, when you take a bite you find spicy notes from raisins, orange jelly nibs and light spice with hints of caraway and cloves.
Very sweet, and for my palate perhaps too saccharine, but if you have a sugary tooth you’ll love them.
They are very easy to scoff if you fancy something to nibble with your tea.
But while they are tasty, I’m not sure they replicate the tastes of a traditional fruity toasted bun.
Score: 2/5
Hot Cross Tarts, 4 x 190g, £3.25, Sainsbury.co.uk
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FOUR individually portioned hot cross bun-flavoured tarts that are ideal for enjoying with your cuppa over the holiday.
Each treat is made with gluten and milk-free sweet pastry cases, so even those with food intolerances are able to tuck in.
They are filled with spiced syrup sponge and raisins, topped off with sweet dusting.
Well sized, so one is the ideal portion, and with a satisfying, mellow flavour not dissimilar to a treacle or gingerbread tart – but with a bit of added spice.
The pastry is perhaps a bit dry but the gooey, squishy filling works well to disguise this.
An enjoyable Easter alternative and extremely filling.
Score: 4/5
Hot Cross Bunettone, 500g, £8, Waitrose stores
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AT £8, this Easter extravagance from the posh supermarket isn’t the cheapest spring cake out there.
However, in fairness to the store, it is ginormous, so you do get a whopping amount for your money.
If you are planning a large gathering and need lots to go round, it isn’t bad value.
A fusion of a panettone with a hot cross bun, you get a light, yummy, spiced Italian cake with butter, sultanas and candied orange peel for additional spring flavours.
Slice and eat it like a cake and this will be a proper table centrepiece.
It even comes with a sachet of icing sugar and a stencil so you or the children 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 totally original from your hot cross flavours these packets of bun-flavoured popped kernels are a novel way to indulge in the tastes of Easter.
The huge, fluffy pieces of popcorn are coated in sweet caramel and taste of mixed spice and fruit, including lemon and apple.
The aroma is incredible, and once you open the packet it’s really hard to stop eating – but they do taste quite strongly of cinnamon, so if you aren’t a fan of the spice you might not be as keen.
They are not as sweet as I anticipated, either.
Great for snacking if watching an Easter movie, or just scoffing on the sofa.
Score: 3/5
Hot Cross Bun Loose Leaf Tea, 50g, £7.55, birdandblendtea.com
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INSTEAD of tucking into a toasted Easter bun with your mid-afternoon hot bevvie, why not try brewing one up to drink instead.
This pack of loose-leaf hot cross cuppas is certainly different and will make a real talking point to offer guests, or a quirky springtime gift, but the taste will divide the crowd – and personally I didn’t enjoy sipping it very much.
A rooibos blend packed with cinnamon, apple, hibiscus, rosehips and orange peel, it can be drunk either hot or cold, and with or without milk, once it has been brewed in the usual way.
If you like herbal teas this is well made, with quality ingredients.
The flavour is strong but it wasn’t for me and it’s not cheap, so I’ll stick to eating my buns, not glugging them.
Score: 1/5
Divine Milk Choc Hot Cross bar, 180g, £3.59, various stockists and divinechocolate.com
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A PLEASANT change from standard Easter eggs or plain hot cross buns, this generous chunky chocolate bar provides a mash-up of both flavours.
Lovely, smooth and creamy Fairtrade 32 per cent cocoa milk chocolate packed with delicious plump raisins and yummy spicy biscuit pieces that really do give you hot-cross hints as they melt on your tongue.
Very tasty and made with excellent quality ingredients that deliver on the flavours they promise.
The limited-edition big bar is ideal for sharing or passing around on the sofa.
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Or keep it to yourself, just breaking off a couple of squares to enjoy as a change from the classic toasted currant treat.
Score: 3/5
