Best hot cross buns, simnel cake and Easter desserts 2023

Read on to find out which traditional, flavoured and gluten-free hot cross buns came out on top, as well as our favourite simnel cake and desserts for Easter 2023.

Find out the results of our hot cross bun categories below, and visit our Easter Taste Awards page for the rest of our winning categories, including the best chocolate Easter egg categories. For more Easter inspiration, we've also rounded up the most unusual Easter eggs and chocolate we've tried this year, including a cheese Easter egg and giant 500g half-and-half egg...

Please note that some of these products are only available to buy in-store and not online.

Best classic hot cross buns

Winner: Co-op Irresistible richly fruited hot cross buns

With a smart glazed topping, soft bread and good balance of fruit, these almost taste homemade. The spicing is light and well-balanced.

Available from:
Co-op (£1.60/four pack)

Runner up: M&S Luxury hot cross buns

These contain lots of fruit and good spice levels – judges enjoyed the ‘lovely flavour’, good texture of the crumb and touch of salt that balanced the fruity sweetness.

Available from:
M&S (£2/four pack)

Best alternative hot cross buns

Winner: Lidl Deluxe luxury apple hot cross buns

A subtle twist on the classic hot cross bun, these have juicy chunks of apple and dialled-up levels of cinnamon. One for hot cross bun purists who fancy something new.

Available from:
Lidl (£1.39/four pack, available in store)

Runner up: Co-op Irresistible lemon and blueberry hot cross buns

Like a blueberry muffin in hot cross bun form! The blueberry flavour comes through strongly, while the bread has a lovely texture and appealing glaze on top.

Available from:
Co-op (£1.40/four pack)

Best savoury hot cross buns

Winner: M&S extremely cheesy hot cross buns

The cheese flavour of these buns appealed to all judges, with good texture to the bread. It would make an extremely decadent grilled cheese sandwich.

Available from:
Ocado (£1.95/four pack)

Runner up: Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference cheese, sundried tomato & oregano hot cross buns

This classic flavour combination came through well, and no element was too overpowering. The bun has good texture, although judges would have liked some larger pieces of tomato or cheese.

Available from:
Sainsbury's (£1.50/four pack)

Best gluten-free hot cross buns

Winner: M&S Made Without fruited hot cross buns

These have an appealing, relatively squidgy texture for gluten-free bread, and attractive golden appearance. There is good cinnamon flavour and a generous amount of fruit (including juicy raisins) to provide moisture.

Available from:
Ocado (£1.95/four pack)

Runner up: Asda Free From hot cross buns

Studded with soft raisins, these have a smooth, rounded appearance, and an airy texture.

Available from:
Asda (£2.20/four pack)

Best simnel cake

Winner: M&S Easter simnel cake

Judges loved the pretty floral design of the marzipan on the top of this cake with its generously sized marzipan balls, which also had great flavour. The cake had evenly distributed fruit, with a generous amount of currants, and held together well when sliced.

Available from:
Ocado (£13/930g)

Best Easter dessert

Winner: Aldi Specially Selected hot cross bun pudding

Judges loved this comforting pud: crispy top, custardy centre with a hint of vanilla, and lots of fruit and spice from the hot cross buns.

Available from:
Aldi (£3.99/600g, in store from 3 April)

Best Easter bakery item

Winner: M&S colomba di Pasqua

This comes beautifully packaged – great for a gift. It’s a traditional Italian Easter treat – one for people who like a panettone at Christmas! The bread is soft and sweet, with whole almonds on top for crunch.

Available from:
Ocado (£12/750g)

For more 2023 winners, including the best Easter eggs, visit our Easter Taste Awards.

This review was last updated in March 2023. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
What’s your favourite shop-bought hot cross bun? Let us know in the comments below.