A BARGAIN supermarket’s hot cross buns have come out top in a taste test and tied with M&S for the top spot.
Which? put ten supermarket hot cross buns to the test, with M&S and Asda voted the winners.
The panel of 75 judges were asked to rate every bun in terms of flavour, aroma, appearance and texture.
While the M&S buns took the top spot for the second year running, Asda’s Exceptional Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns was awarded a rare double crown.
The budget bakes were awarded Which? Best Buy and Which? Great Value as they cost more than a pound less per pack than M&S.
Asda’s hot cross buns were awarded a score of 77% and testers praised their amount of fruit, texture and flavour.
Testers said they had the most appetising appearance of any buns they tested and were deliciously sweet.
Meanwhile, at just £1.40 per pack of four – or 35p per bun – they were the cheapest buns Which? put to the test this year.
In comparison, the M&S Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns were awarded a score of 77%.
Tasters praised the amount of fruit they contained.
But the buns were the priciest on the list, at £2.50 for a pack of four, working out as nearly 63p.
In third place were the Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Fruity Hot Cross Buns, which cost £2 for a pack of four.
The tasty treats were awarded a score of 75% and tasters praised their soft texture and sweetness.
But just under half of the panel said they would prefer if they had a touch more spice.
Meanwhile, coming in fourth were the Tesco Finest Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns, which were given a score of 73%.
Most tasters enjoyed the soft texture and fruit in the buns but a third of the panel said they wished the buns were a bit spicier and a tad sweeter.
They cost £2 for four, making them one of the more expensive treats on offer.
Iceland’s Luxury Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns (£1.80), Lidl Deluxe Hot Cross Buns (£1.49) and Morrisons The Best Extra Fruity Hot Cross Buns (£1.80) all scored 71%.
Tasters said the flavours of all three were fine but Iceland’s buns could have been sweeter.
Meanwhile, they also criticised Lidl and Morrison’s buns for being drier than rivals.
Aldi’s Specially Selected Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns (£1.49) and Co-op Irresistible Richly Fruited Luxury Hot Cross Buns (£2) both scored 70%.
But tasters said the treats were less sweet than others.
Meanwhile, Waitrose Richly Fruited Hot Cross Buns were bottom of the pile, with a score of 68%.
The majority of Which? tasters said they were too weak, while half said the buns were too dry.
At £2 for four they were also more expensive than other buns in the taste test.
Others said the buns needed more fruit and weren’t sweet enough.
Natalie Hitchins, Which? head of home products and services, said: “Asda has pulled off a real cracker this year, matching M&S for flavour and texture while coming in at a significantly lower price point.
“It’s proof that shoppers can still enjoy a premium Easter treat without the premium price tag.”
