I’ll never say no to a Mini Egg but, when it comes to Easter eating, it’s all about hot cross buns for me. So it was not completely unselfishly that I suggested we do a hot cross bun taste test for an Easter week Rock My Style post.

Luckily team Rock My Style were on board and so a couple of weeks ago Adam, Lauren and myself took time out from a busy day of meeting and shooting to eat our way through five different types of hot cross buns, bought from the nearest supermarkets to our respective homes and/or workplaces. Charlotte wasn’t with us due to illness. While obviously gutted not to be hanging out with team RMS I think she was at least as upset about missing out on all the hot cross bun action.

Lauren’s usual hot cross bun eating MO is untoasted without anything on top, whilst Adam and I favour ours toasted with butter. We decided that for the purposes of the tasting we would eat the buns toasted but without any toppings, figuring that we’d taste all the flavours better that way. After burning the first round (seriously!) we got the hang of things. Without further ado…

M&S Luxury Hot Cross Buns {Miranda’s Favourite}

The damage: £1.70p for four
They say: Packed full of juicy fruit, mixed peel and a unique spice blend
We say: Highly glazed, stodgy (a good thing in this instance), full of currants, even fruit distribution. Made with a darker flour and so looks healthier than the rest. Moist, sweet, delicately spiced, wouldn’t necessarily need butter.
Calories: 209 per bun

Morrisons M Signature Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns

The damage: £1.19 for four
They say: Spicy buns packed with juicy vine fruits and orange
We say: Lots of fruit (a very good thing), quite airy and light, and, as they’re bigger than the others you get more bun for your money. Looks-wise a bit burnt. Taste-wise not as zesty and spicy as the rest, more like an aromatic teacake.
Calories: 218 per bun

Rowan Hill Hot Cross Buns Lidl

The damage: 75p for six
They say: Hot cross buns with sultanas and raisins soaked in orange juice and mixed peel, approx 60% less fat that Rowan Hill Luxury Hot Cross Buns
We say: Not too keen on these, quite dry and the spices are quite mace-y. (Adam). A disgrace to hot cross buns (Lauren).
Calories: 149 per bun

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Fruity Hot Cross Buns {Lauren’s favourite}

The damage: £1.80 for four
They say: These ultra-fruity buns include Chilean jumbo raisins, fresh citrus zest and a secret blend of aromatic spice oils
We say: It’s possible we got a rogue batch but the crosses on these were so off-centre they were basically a T. Less fruit than M&S, dryer than the others, zesty but subtle spiciness, not overpowering.
Calories: 208 per bun

Tesco Finest White Hot Cross Buns {Adam’s favourite}

The damage: £1.53 for four
They say: Packed with plump orange-juice soaked sultanas, currants and Chilean flame raisins, with a touch of honey.
We say: Tasty, fruity, bitter aftertaste (a good thing), nice texture, very soft, darker golden brown colour, glossy top.
Calories: 227 per bun

So there you have it. Our totally amateur, completely unscientific taste test. Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood, your jobs are safe. Over to you. Which are your favourite hot cross buns? Do you eat them as is? Toasted? With butter? Anything else? And what do you think of the growing trend to mess around with the classic hot cross bun with various non-trad fruits being added and even hot cross loaves?! (An actual thing, available at Morrisons). Any thoughts, leave a comment below.