Blind veterans' hot cross bun taste test

Hot cross buns are a staple sweet treat in the run up to Easter weekend and our blind veterans have previously completed a taste test to find out which supermarket had the best tasting traditional bun.

There are now a whole host of creative flavour twists on the classic fruited hot cross bun and visitors to the Llandudno centre were more than happy to put them to the test and decide whether they prefer a flavoured or traditional bun.

There was some lively discussion amongst the judges about whether hot cross buns should be served toasted and with or without butter. For this taste test the hot cross buns were cut into bite sized pieces and served without butter.

All of the hot cross buns in the test were from Tesco, who offer an array of flavours in their Finest range, price at £1.60 for a 4 pack or two packs for £2.50.

The tasting teams gave each flavour of hot cross bun a score out of 5

The results

1st Place and our winner

Tesco Finest, Salted Caramel & Chocolate Hot Cross Buns (4 pack, £1.60)

This delicious and delicately sweetened bun was the runaway winner with all of our judges, and the Llandudno Centre staff! Our judges said the soft buns had the perfect combination of salted caramel fudge and toffee pieces and rich dark chocolate chips. Everybody went back for extra tastings to clear the plate and declared this combination the best alternative to a traditional fruity bun.

5 buns out of 5

Joint Second Place

Tesco Finest, Apple & Cinnamon Hot Cross Buns (4 pack, £1.60)

With juicy sultanas, candied apple pieces and a light spicing of cinnamon these scored highly with all three of our tasting teams. Lee and Sylvia thought that these would fulfil their flavour potential with a light toasting and a generous spread of butter, reopening the toasted/untoasted debate.

4 buns out of 5

Tesco Finest, St Clements Hot Cross Buns (4 pack, £1.60)

The most fragrant of all the buns in our tasting, our tasters found the orange-soaked sultanas, raisins, candied orange and lemon peel made for a zesty, flavoursome bun. The tasters also commented that the generous fruit filling gave a nice texture and moistness to the bun. Trudy and Ivan voted this the best bun of the bunch.

4 buns out of 5

Runners up

Tesco Finest, Triple Chocolate Hot Cross Buns (4 pack, £1.60)

While Lee declared these the tastiest, the rest of the tasting panel agreed that while the chocolate bun was a pleasant flavour a small piece was just enough. They all agreed that they could benefit from being warmed up and Nigel thought that a dollop of clotted cream would turn them into an extra special treat.

3 buns out of 5

Tesco Finest, Extra Fruity Traditional Hot Cross Buns (4 pack, £1.60)

Lightly spiced buns with raisins, currants and sultanas, our tasters were impressed with the fruit content and lightness of the bun. They all agreed it was a great offering for a traditional bun but was a bit underwhelming compared to the exciting favours that they had all enjoyed. Bob said he will stick to the traditional hot cross buns but does enjoy them most when served with custard!

3 buns out of 5

Overall, our judging panel enjoyed all of the different flavours of hot cross buns and liked a change from the traditional fruity treat and it was how to best enjoy a hot cross bun that became the mostly hotly debated issue.

The majority of tasters agreed the buns should be toasted but surprised each other with serving suggestions including clotted cream, custard and strawberry jam! 

A huge thank you to this year's judges for their help!