EASTER is just around the corner and the best supermarket hot cross buns have been revealed.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has published its annual Easter taste test ahead of the big day on April 9.
They put over 150 Easter treats from brands and supermarkets through their paces.
A panel of lucky tasters and experts rated them in a blind taste test based on appearance, texture, and even smell, along with taste.
M&S' Luxury Fruited Hot Cross Buns came out on top with a score of 86 points out of 100.
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A four-pack costs £1.85 and although they weren't the cheapest they still came out on top.
Testers praised the buns' "near-perfect texture" which was light and fluffy with a lightly crisped glazed top.
In second place came Iceland's own hot cross buns with 80 points out of 100.
They also came in cheaper than M&S's - a four-pack will set you back just £1.
Testers praised the richly spiced flavour and named them the best budget buy.
Sainsbury's topped the best flavored bun category with its Taste the Difference Lemon Curd & White Chocolate buns.
The unusual flavoured treats scored 83/100. A four pack costs £1.65.
Close behind was Marks & Spencer's banoffee hot cross buns scoring 82 out of 100 and are priced at £2 for a four-pack.
Tasters said they enjoyed the banana note and chewy toffee chunks.
For the gluten-free options, M&S came out on top again on 79 out of 100. A four-pack will set you back £1.85.
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In second place were Sainsbury's Taste the Difference free from caramel and chocolate hot cross buns.
They scored 72 out of 100 and cost £2.50 for a four-pack.
Callum Black, food and drink testing tanager at the Good Housekeeping Institute said: “We started preparing for the Easter taste test back in December, and I’m pleased to say the results prove you needn’t spend a lot for a feast to remember.
"With the cost-of-living crisis still driving our shopping habits, we’re proud to have included a budget option in every category."
Best traditional hot cross buns
- Winner: M&S Luxury Fruited Hot Cross buns, 86/100, £1.85
- Runner up: Iceland Hot Cross Buns, 80/100, £1
Best unusual flavoured hot cross buns
- Winner: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Lemon Curd & White Chocolate, 83/100, £1.65
- Runner up: M&S banoffee hot cross buns, 82/100, £2
Best gluten-free hot cross buns
- Winner: M&S gluten free hot cross buns, 79/100, £1.85
- Runner up: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Free From Caramel and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, 72/100, £2.50
The Good Housekeeping Institute also tested Easter eggs.
The Cutter & Squidge Billionaire Filled Easter Egg and the Abel & Cole Cocoa Loco Marbled Chocolate Egg shared the title of best milk chocolate Easter egg for 2023.
They both scored 82 points out of 100.
They cost £21.99 and £12.95 respectively - so a big price difference for items that were awarded the same points.
Testers loved the thick chocolate shell and a "perfectly-exectuted" mix of milk, white and dark chocolate.
Morrisons excelled in the white chocolate category with The Best White & Blonde Chocolate Egg for £8.
Scorers gave it 82 out of 100 while Aldi's Moser Roth Geometric Blonde Egg for £2.99 got 72 out of 100.
In third place came Waitrose’s Orange Ribbon Easter Egg.
This costs £7 and was the best overall dark chocolate egg, scoring 85 out of 100.
Morrisons had the best budget option in the category for The Best Belgium Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Egg.
This scored 79/100 and costs £6.
Best milk chocolate eggs:
- Joint first: Cutter & Squidge Billionaire Filled Easter Egg, 82/100, £21.99
- Joint first: Abel & Cole Cocoa Loco Marbled Chocolate Egg, £12.95, 82/100
If you're on a budget, we've listed the cheapest supermarkets to find Cadbury Easter eggs this week.
It's always worth keeping an eye out from now on for cheap Easter eggs.
Last week, shoppers were rushing to buy a 75p Easter egg from Morrisons.
The store slashed the price of its Cadbury eggs and had reduced the Easter treats by half the usual price.
You'll have to be quick because shoppers have been snapping them up, and at this price who can blame them.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk