We test and rate supermarkets’ own-brand buns and boozy Easter eggs
IT wouldn’t be Easter without a hot cross bun – so make sure you buy the tastiest.
Whether you prefer yours toasted and dripping in butter or scoffed from the packet, Laura Stott has tested super-markets’ own-brand buns and counted how much dried fruit each contains. Here’s her verdict and rating out of five.
Co-op
Six-pack, £1
Raisin count: 22 per bun
The buns are flatter than normal and have a dusting of flour on top instead of the usual sticky, sugary glaze.
They are very soft, similar to a burger bap, with a generous portion of raisins and currants. Certainly not an unpleasant taste, just odd looking.
Rating: 4/5
Morrisons
Six-pack, £1
Raisin count: 17 per bun
These look plump, juicy and are a rich, golden-brown colour.
They have a good spice and fruit flavour but the generous sugary coating did make the buns prone to burning more quickly, so turn the grill down.
I’d say they are similar to a traditional teacake. I scoffed them all.
Rating: 5/5
Tesco
Six-pack, 85p
Raisin count: 18 per bun
Looked rather pale in the packet and had a crisp exterior and crumbling texture on the inside. This improves once toasted.
However, I struggled to detect zesty flavours despite the packet saying they contain a mix of currants, sultanas, raisins and fruit peel.
Rating: 3/5
Sainsbury’s
Six-pack, £1
Raisin count: 23 per bun
A pleasing golden colour with sweet and sticky topping and a thick white cross.
These had a dense, doughy texture, which made them quite filling.
Good punch of fruity flavours and spices, and an overall pleasant taste despite the thicker consistency.
Rating: 4/5
Asda
Six-pack, 89p
Raisin count: 15 per bun
A perfectly symmetrical cross, warm golden-brown colour and a decent glaze, these look the best of the bunch.
Unfortunately, they lose points for having less fruit, currants and raisins than the others.
They are very filling but had a slightly unusual, perfumed flavour.
Rating: 3/5
Marks and Spencer
Four-pack, £1.50
Raisin count: 25 per bun
Lovely squidgy texture with that instantly recognisable hot cross bun aroma and flavour.
Loads of fruit and spices and rich, buttery dough. It tastes indulgent.
Ideal for spoiling yourself while you are stuck at home.
Rating: 5/5
Boozy chocs a hit
YOU’LL be experiencing Easter in lockdown – but a boozy egg can always lift your spirits.
There are a range of alcohol-infused versions available online and in supermarkets. LYNSEY HOPE rates them.
Baileys strawberry and cream chocolate egg, £8.99, B&M
A luxury white chocolate egg containing dried strawberry pieces and some delicious Baileys- filled choc truffles.
I had expected it to be sickly but the balance was just right. My winner.
9/10
Gin white chocolate egg, £4.99, Aldi
A great price. The egg is infused with juniper and contains a helping of the supermarket’s own Greyson’s pink gin, though the flavour is subtle.
I loved this Easter treat and it would definitely go down well with a gin drinker.
8/10
Hotel Chocolat champagne egg, £29, hotelchocolat.com/uk
Indulgent and luxurious, but with that price tag you will need to be in generous mood to give this to someone.
The egg and truffles look and taste impressive – but it does lose points for price.
7/10
Guinness dark chocolate with pints, £14.99, amazon.co.uk
This novelty dark choc egg contains six pint-shaped liqueurs.
On the whole it is quite pricey and as I’m not keen on stout it was the least appealing.
A great gift if you known a fan of Guinness.
5/10
M&S Proseggo milk chocolate egg, £5
One of the cheapest boozy eggs, this is infused with raspberry, blackcurrant, prosecco and edible glitter. A great choice for wine lovers.
The only thing I didn’t like was the pink glitter rubbing off on my hands.
8/10
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Prestat London gin egg, £12.56, liberty-london.com
A lemon-infused milk chocolate egg, containing London Gin truffles.
The unusual combination of flavours works but with 500 calories in each half, I would have preferred a plain egg.
4/10
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