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Hot cross buns

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Last updated: 29 September 2025
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Rebecca By Rebecca

Our panel of experts blind taste test and review 19 supermarket and bakery hot cross buns from Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Bakers Delight and more to see which ones are the best for both nutrition and taste.

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Products

We tested hot cross bun products available in major Australian supermarket chains and bakeries, including Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, IGA and Bakers Delight, as well as wholesale warehouse Costco. Traditional fruit buns and chocolate buns, along with their gluten-free varieties, were tested separately. Price is for the pack size specified and bought in Sydney stores in February 2025 (not on special).

Tasting

Our panel of three experts tasted the hot cross bun samples ‘blind’ (without knowing the brands) in a randomised order. Each bun was tasted fresh (untoasted) and toasted, with scores given for each.

Scores

The experts independently judged all hot cross bun products. The CHOICE Expert Rating, our overall score, consists of 90% sensory and 10% nutrition (based on the Health Star Rating). For sensory, 50% of the score represented the toasted bun sample and the other 50% represented the fresh (untoasted) sample.

Here’s a breakdown of the sensory weightings:

  • flavour (50%)
  • appearance (20%)
  • aroma (15%)
  • texture (15%)

We recommend traditional and chocolate hot cross buns with a CHOICE Expert Rating of 70% or more, and gluten-free hot cross buns (all varieties) with a score of 60% or more.

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Rebecca

I joined CHOICE in 2008 as a work experience student while studying my Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) at the University of Western Sydney. I've been with CHOICE ever since.  My first job was in a room full of muesli, collecting all their nutritional data. When I completed my course, CHOICE offered me a full-time position as a Test Officer in the Kitchen Lab. In 2009, I moved into the role of household content producer. I write about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. I even write about grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents. I love my job and the extremely talented and passionate group of people I work with. I love knowing that our research, testing and results go a long way to helping consumers with their buying decisions by highlighting great products – and singling out poorly performing ones. You can find me on LinkedIn.

I joined CHOICE in 2008 as a work experience student while studying my Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) at the University of Western Sydney. I've been with CHOICE ever since.  My first job was in a room full of muesli, collecting all their nutritional data. When I completed my course, CHOICE offered me a full-time position as a Test Officer in the Kitchen Lab. In 2009, I moved into the role of household content producer. I write about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. I even write about grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents. I love my job and the extremely talented and passionate group of people I work with. I love knowing that our research, testing and results go a long way to helping consumers with their buying decisions by highlighting great products – and singling out poorly performing ones. You can find me on LinkedIn.