Hot Cross Bun reviews 1 - 5

For those who are FB friends with me, you may know that around this time every year, I perform a community service in reviewing hot cross buns available to Sydney-siders. (And it's really just an excuse to eat lots of hot cross buns!)

The reviews are posted as my FB status. I aim to do at least 10 a year and post 2 a week. The reviews are limited to fruit buns. I take into account look, cost, taste, softness and re-heat-ability of the buns (because, really, can one eat all 6 in one day?). The buns are scored out of 5 with Coles fruit hot cross buns given the baseline of 2/5.

Since FB is pretty crap at being a depository of information (though it could really be good), I thought I would blog these reviews (this was one of many reasons why this blog has finally come about).

I will put my first five reviews here and post the rest in sets of five.

2 March near Sydney · Edited

HCB review starts NOW!
Disclaimer: buns are rated out of 5 and are ranked on price, softness, fruit (chocolate and other varieties not rated), reheat value, look & taste. Will take suggestions on buns to rate. I will use Coles HCB as a benchmark as they are easy to get. Love to get feedback. Aiming to rate one bun a week at least.

HCB review #1 for 2014. Setting the benchmark. Coles Hot Cross Bun, Fruit, 12 x $6. 2/5 Soft and (maybe too) sweet with lots of fruit. A good, cheap, go-to bun when you need a HCB fix as Coles are everywhere. Maybe too much glaze (read: sticky) but makes the bun attractive. Not the worst HCB you could eat.

10 March

HCB review #2. Baker's Life, ALDI fruit hot cross buns. 1/5. These are quite dense buns with lots of fruit but no real spice and don't reheat very well. It's a bit harsh to give them a full point less than Coles (they are probably more 1.5, but I'm not going to halfies) but if u had a choice between Coles & Aldi, I'd buy Coles.

11 March near Sydney

HCB Review #3: Seeto's special HCB, batch no.2. 4/5. A really good looking bun with the right mix of sweet and spice. A little bit dense though but impeccable service (late night delivery). The baby smiles could not push this to 5, but the cuddles were appreciated! — feeling grateful.

15 March

HCB review #4: Bakers Delight Fruit buns. 3/5 I know this review will hurt a few people who love Bakers Delight's chocolate HCB but focusing on their fruit bun. It's definitely a nice bun. Lots of fruit. Nice and soft. Not the greatest in the reheat but passable. I confess this one scores low because of the price. For 6 of these you can buy 12 of the Coles variety (and still have change). So, for more bang for your buck, I don't think the taste makes up for the quantity you can get elsewhere.

HCB #5: Heston for Coles HCB. 1/5. An ugly looking bun, with way (WAY) too much orange rind that needs zapping to make it edible (though it does soften up). For the exorbitant price of 4 x $8 all I can say is STAY AWAY! Mine was not in the fancy package that has been posted previously so maybe I got the budget Heston version?

Happy to take any suggestions of buns to try including home made ones!!

Whats's your favourite hot cross bun??