6 of the best alternative hot cross buns to try in London this Easter

6 of the best alternative hot cross buns to try in London this Easter

Credit: Courtesy of restaurants

Stylist Loves


6 of the best alternative hot cross buns to try in London this Easter

By Katie Rosseinsky

1 year ago

2 min read

From bagels to vegan hot cross bun doughnuts, London’s top eateries are offering plenty of exciting Easter treats inspired by this springtime classic.


Easter is just around the corner, and we can’t get enough of the humble hot cross bun. Whether you prefer a traditional recipe, filled with spice and dried fruits, or you’re brave enough to tackle Heinz’s internet-dividing hot cross bun-flavoured mayonnaise, this year there truly is something to suit all tastes.

What’s more, some of London’s best eateries have now unveiled their own delicious iterations, taking the classic hot cross bun flavours and reimagining them in a whole new form.

From fruity bagels to vegan HCB doughnuts, these are some of our favourites. Start planning your Easter snacking now… 

Pophams

Pophams

You’ve heard of the cruffin and the cronut: now Pophams’ executive chef Phil King has dreamt up a cross between a croissant and a hot cross bun, available in each of the artisan bakery’s outposts across London (you’ll find them in Islington, London Fields and Victoria Park). Each flavoursome Easter creation is packed with raisins, currants, sultanas, candied peel, apple, spice, King’s ginger and cinnamon, and finished with a citrus, maple and cardamom glaze.

Find out more

Din Tai Fung

Bored of Easter eggs? Taiwanese dumpling specialists Din Tai Fung have dreamed up a special take on the hot cross bun, and it’s one for those with a seriously sweet tooth. Its Easter hot cross buns are a fresh spin on traditional sweet buns, filled with delicious molten chocolate. They’re available until 10 April at all three of Din Tai Fung’s London venues. 

Find out more

Crosstown

Crosstown’s limited edition vegan hot cross bun doughnut is always a springtime highlight. Made from spiced dough, it’s filled with creamy cinnamon custard, topped with Seville orange glaze and finished with a spiced cross and a smattering of candied peel. You can pick one up at any Crosstown branch or order them across England, Wales and lowland Scotland until 11 April. 

Find out more

B Bagel

B Bagel

Embrace all things dough this Easter with hot cross bun bagels. They’ll be available at all four B Bagel stores – Camden, Tottenham Court Road, Soho and Fulham – until 8 April.

Find out more

Ottolenghi

Ottolenghi

Ottolenghi’s Easter offering may look like a traditional HCB, but the famed test kitchen has developed a recipe that packs a lot more fruit, zest and spice (including black pepper and rooibos tea) into the buns than your average bakes. 

Find out more

The Laundry

Brixton bistro The Laundry will be serving up New Zealand inspired hot cross bun with feijoa (an alternative to guava), stem ginger and honeycomb butter, and for those who want it, bacon. Be quick, the buns will only be available 22-24 and 29-31 March.

Find out more

Images: courtesy of brands

Sign up for our edit of what to buy, see, read and do, and receive a free mini-mag of the top 5 fashion trends you’re sure to see in 2024.

By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy

Thank you!

You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.