Best supermarket hot cross buns revealed in annual Easter taste test including Tesco and Lidl

THE best supermarket hot cross buns have been revealed after a blind taste test.

Most grocers sell their own version of the traditional Easter snack, but one has beaten the competition to be crowned the winner.

Easter is on April 17 this year, but festive products have already started to appear in stores.

Good Housekeeping has tested supermarkets' efforts at the perfect house cross bun.

The magazine said it handed out points for taste, innovation, quality ingredients, catering to dietary requirements and value for money.

Tesco came top of the list for traditional hot cross buns, with judges giving its Finest extra fruity buns the highest score.

They are just £1.50 for four and scored 87 points out of 100.

Good Housekeeping's panel said they loved the "even, glossy glaze and well-piped cross".

They also praised the "citrusy kick of the orange-soaked sultanas".

Lidl came second with its luxury hot cross buns, with a slightly cheaper price tag of £1.19 for four.

The discount supermarket's option were given 85 out of 100, and were commended for their "warming hit of cinnamon and ginger".

Good Housekeeping also named the best versions with special flavours, with Waitrose's white chocolate and lemon option coming out top.

Judges gave the buns - £1.65 for four - a score of 82 out of 100 and said they got the balance of "comfort and innovation" just right.

The next best flavoured Easter treat was from Tesco again, with its Blueberry hot cross buns getting 78 out of 100.

Finally, the panel tested the best gluten free versions available in supermarkets, with Co-op's £1.05 offering taking the crown.

Marks & Spencer was the runner up, with its Made Without Wheat hot cross buns, which are £2 for four.

Last year we tried the novelty hot cross buns available on the high street, including extra chocolate and marmite and cheese.

This year you can try pizza flavour and salted caramel buns.

Sainsbury's beat the competition to top our taste test in 2021.