What has happened to Hot Cross Buns?

[PistachioTiramisu]

I remember when they used to be spicy, fluffy inside and toasted to perfection - you spread with butter and allowed it to melt - the result was a delicious thing! Now all the supermarkets seem to compete with each other for the most outlandish 'flavour' (most of which are horrible), and they are nasty, doughy, stretchy abominations which don't even toast properly! It seems only independent bakeries still make a traditional bun and these are hard to find.

As you hate all those on offer in the shops, maybe you could try making your own.

There are lots of imposter flavours it’s true. I’ve been caught out once or twice. I’m also conscious (because I make my own bread) that they must be packed full of preservatives (because they last ages) so I’m considering making my own.

@Justbecauseyoucandoesntmeanyoushould
have you made them? Do you have a recipe you like if so?

I do like apple and cinnamon ones (g/f) but not others.

May I point you in the direction Tesco Finest Extra Fruity Hot Cross buns ?
I agree about the odd flavours / additions that have appeared recently . Why meddle with a perfect recipe ? 🤣

Shop bought bread in general is pretty terrible. I make it (and my hot cross buns)

I saw CHILLI hot cross buns last year. It should be illegal.

I made my own last year. They were ok, but nothing special, and they went stale pretty quickly. (especially considering the faff it was to make them!) The ones from the independent bakery in our neighbourhood were much nicer.

They have become a year-round item in supermarkets with the “different” versions (which are universally vile) rolled out at this time of year. However some independent bakers, like the one in my local small town, offer the traditional version seasonally, so that’s where I buy them.

My children only know the word 'abomination' because of my annual rant about new-fangled hot cross bun flavours. Happily, they are now fully on board with my opinion, and treated their Dad as something akin to a war criminal when he brought home some chocolate fudge flavoured ones.

They’re rubbish this year, pappy and don’t toast properly. They’re actually pretty easy to make if you have the time, I’m doing my own this year as I just can’t find decent ones that don’t disintegrate when you toast and butter them.

I've tried making them but they were too bready. I'm clearly shit at it as well.

M&S mini extra fruity are my fave.

Agree with the crazy variety of flavors although the m and s cheese ones and millionaires ones are popular in this house.
The m and s mini fruit ones are tasty too..

WWJD

Only yesterday I was bemoaning what teacakes have become. They used to be so flavoursome, toasted with butter, now tasteless pap and half the size.

Now HCBs, agree fully, ditch the stupid flavours please. But am I going mad? Never toasted Hot Cross Buns, Toasted Teacakes!

I’m really glad that I was brought up with seasonal things like hot cross buns, parsnips, etc
Having stuff all year around takes the shine off - familiarity breeds contempt

Tesco has loads of basic non crazy flavoured hot cross buns. Piled up by bakery section.

Coop ones are my fav, not too chewy or heavy, but the white cross this year is like plastic so has to be taken off. But I hate hot cross buns toasted, eaten raw, no butter. Just cross buns for me.

They are horrible. I've bought some by mistake and been very sadly cast down when I opened the packet.

Who is buying them? Why is it happening?!

I am usually a hot cross bun purist and turn my nose up at the various flavours dh tries to buy me. This year he came home with a marbled neapolitan version. As he had already bought them I decided not to be wasteful and give them a go. They have choc chips in them so I wasn't going to use butter, but a slathering of chocolate spread actually made them quite nice.
Im not sure I would consider them a hot cross bun though. They have the cross, but not the 'proper' flavour

Palm oil, probably.

@Happyjoe Yes! What has happened to the white cross?! Mr Toast treated us to two M&S specials (he's normally an absolute stickler for no HCBs until Holy Week but he was nursing me through post operative illness) and they were delicious but the cross was like a strip of cardboard!
We warm ours in the oven as I think that dries them out better than toasting.
Also, the Sainsbury's lemon ones make a really nice Easter Day bread and butter pudding!

Shop bought hot cross buns are pretty disgusting! They stick to the roof of your mouth. Aren’t they meant to be quite doughy, handmade ones turn out sort of heavier than shop bought. They toast better that way.

You are raising them correctly 👏

Hot cross buns with mixed spice and sultanas give me horrendous indigestion so I am quite grateful for some new flavourings. The only ones I have really liked are ones with chocolate dough and chocolate chips, but it’s been fun working my way through the other options!

It's the same with panettone - stupid faffy flavours like chocolate and salted caramel rather than the perfectly lovely thing it is on its own.