Page 2 | Chocolate hot cross buns

likelysuspect · 2026-02-14T14:31:42+00:00

Horrible Not even saved by quality butter and peanut butter

Purplecatshopaholic · 14/02/2026 19:37

Chocolate HCBs are delicious, I like Sainsbo’s ones. Only a recent find but a regular treat now (when I can get them).

Hmmmmwineandchocs · 14/02/2026 19:31

Argh i think i need to try them now. One for and one against….

AmyDudley · 14/02/2026 19:31

Greyeyesgreenlight · 14/02/2026 15:20

The lemon curd ones from M&S aren't very nice. The curd isn't tart enough and there are too many hard chunks of peel.

The lemon and white chocolate ones from either Sainsbury's or Waitrose are far nicer. They're much less sweet than you'd think and nicely tart. Also they toast well, which the M&S ones don't.

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I really like the lemon curd ones, but I'm a sucker for a hard chunk of lemon peel 😁
the chocolate ones or any combination of chocolate and caramel are disgusting.

ShodAndShadySenators · 14/02/2026 19:28

likelysuspect · 14/02/2026 19:18

So, heres a thought, for people that do like ABG - Imposter Buns, what about shops selling a 4 pack of DIFFERENT FLAVOURS

Im on to a winner here

If I see this in shops I'll be taking a cut - copyright LikelySuspect

You read it here first.

I can't see me hesitating a fraction of a second before "Whoops! They fell in my trolley".

I need to know the emporium where the cherry bakewell versions were found. It's imperative @Vroomfondleswaistcoat. You could save a life here...

ShodAndShadySenators · 14/02/2026 19:24

likelysuspect · 14/02/2026 14:46

So what you're telling me is that I have to eat all of this pack (because while I say they're horrible, I mean it is cake and it is chocolate so Im not saying that they cant be eaten), I have to eat this whole pack I think you said and then I have to go to M+S and buy some more and eat that whole pack as well.

I think thats what you said.

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Poster also said, but you may have missed it in your tear-filled woe, don't forget the iced & spiced buns.

We've had the lemon M&S ones, DH made lemon icing to drizzle over the top and it improved them even more. So if you're listening Markies, do that too. It's lush.

DappledThings · 14/02/2026 19:21

Talipesmum · 14/02/2026 14:51

Correct. All the “options” that aren’t the traditional flavour aren’t hot cross buns, they’re “alternative baked goods”. They may be nice, they may be nasty, but they’re not hot cross buns. They’re baked goods.

So there.

I’ve trained my teens in this and they now refer to the imposters correctly, while eating them.

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Absolutely. See also mince pies with icing on top. Utterly unacceptable. I have also trained DC to refer to them in the aisles of supermarkets as "wrong" and "just not proper mince pies".

They will also, unprompted, exclaim loudly how inappropriate it is for mince pies to be in shops before Advent. Rarely been prouder!

HCBs I will not allow until Good Friday.

Original poster

likelysuspect · 14/02/2026 19:18

So, heres a thought, for people that do like ABG - Imposter Buns, what about shops selling a 4 pack of DIFFERENT FLAVOURS

Im on to a winner here

If I see this in shops I'll be taking a cut - copyright LikelySuspect

You read it here first.

OP posts:

Catwalking · 14/02/2026 19:16

TheTipsySquid · 14/02/2026 16:12

Sainsburys have chocolate and cherry ones in , wasn’t convinced by the first one but the others were better :)

damn, you really shouldn’t have mentioned these & hate other chxb’s
but, cherries are my downfall,
(usually cannot b bothered to go to paying cp for sainsbury stuff)
& i really am old, old, old enough to know better!

what type cherries tho 🤔
2x damn, have just looked online & of course money off with nectar!!

Plump82 · 14/02/2026 19:15

Hmmmmwineandchocs · 14/02/2026 14:59

Has anyone tried the lemon curd ones from M&S yet? I’m tempted

I bought a pack on Thursday and can confirm they are delicious. I may or may not have had 2 in a row.

Swallowdoubleandrunamile · 14/02/2026 19:12

Rhubarb and custard ABG from Aldi are delicious. Couldn't find them last year, my eyes are peeled and fingers crossed for 2026.
Currently making do with Sainsbury caramel buns.

Toddlerteaplease · 14/02/2026 18:21

Delicious! I was so excited to see them in M&S again.

justtheotheronemrswembley · 14/02/2026 16:50

DH bought some chocolate hot cross buns one year. None of us liked them as-is, but they were rather nice when used in a bread & butter pudding.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 14/02/2026 16:48

I've got a packet of Cherry Bakewell HCB in the freezer. I don't much like cherry bakewells OR Hot cross buns, but I panicked.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 14/02/2026 16:45

I still haven't forgiven M&S for discontinuing the Cheese & Marmite ones a few years ago Every year since I've tried every single alternative flavour in the hope of finding an alternative, it's been awful

Justbecauseyoucandoesntmeanyoushould · 14/02/2026 16:42

Not for me. Tried the M&S ones. Our favourites are the apple and sultana ones.

Therewerelions · 14/02/2026 16:37

Not hot cross buns (definitely traditional only) but Welsh cakes.
I accidentally purchased Welsh cakes and they had chocolate chips instead of fruit.
An abomination to a Welsh woman. It was years ago and still makes me shudder.

Original poster

likelysuspect · 14/02/2026 16:27

bloodredfeaturewall · 14/02/2026 15:35

imo they shouldn't be able to be sold as 'hot cross'
grabbed them by mistake. such a disapointment when you expect fruity, spicy flavour.

call them chocolate soft buns.

You're a cross hot cross purist?

OP posts:

Fallulah · 14/02/2026 16:23

Greyeyesgreenlight · 14/02/2026 15:20

The lemon curd ones from M&S aren't very nice. The curd isn't tart enough and there are too many hard chunks of peel.

The lemon and white chocolate ones from either Sainsbury's or Waitrose are far nicer. They're much less sweet than you'd think and nicely tart. Also they toast well, which the M&S ones don't.

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We made the lemon curd ones into a pudding and it was gorgeous. I didn’t see the chocolate cherry ones in Sainsburys this morning so I’m going to have to go back!

OP, when you go to M&S, purely in the name of research, see if they’ve got the cheese HCBs this year. They are heavenly, especially toasted (with more cheese 🐷)!

IckyIck · 14/02/2026 16:15

Lollipopsicle · 14/02/2026 16:09

And now I hate my DH, as I just phoned to ask if he'd stop at the M&S to pick up some chocolate HCBs on the way back from helping DS out with some DIY, and he's said he's already on the way back and has passed the M&S now and it's too much to go all the way back. Also he laughed because I was not amused. I need to get my revenge. Any ideas?

Time for a new patio.

TheTipsySquid · 14/02/2026 16:12

Sainsburys have chocolate and cherry ones in , wasn’t convinced by the first one but the others were better :)

Lollipopsicle · 14/02/2026 16:09

And now I hate my DH, as I just phoned to ask if he'd stop at the M&S to pick up some chocolate HCBs on the way back from helping DS out with some DIY, and he's said he's already on the way back and has passed the M&S now and it's too much to go all the way back. Also he laughed because I was not amused. I need to get my revenge. Any ideas?

SoftandQuiet · 14/02/2026 15:37

I love a fresh hcb from a proper bakers. But one costs the sames as a pack of 4 from a supermarket so it's a rare treat.

bloodredfeaturewall · 14/02/2026 15:35

imo they shouldn't be able to be sold as 'hot cross'
grabbed them by mistake. such a disapointment when you expect fruity, spicy flavour.

call them chocolate soft buns.

ACatAsleepInYourHat · 14/02/2026 15:34

Try the Tesco salted caramel versions if you really want to experience the "yuck" factor. I only bought them because they were reduced to clear, and they still weren't worth it. Traditional style is the only way to go, clearly.

AnnieLummox · 14/02/2026 15:32

My only issue with chocolate hot cross buns is that they include chocolate instead of fruit rather than as well as. The combination would be delicious.

Heston B did a fantastic chocolate Christmas pudding for Waitrose one year. Never seen again 😢