It’s almost Easter! (Hang on, it’s only February. Since when was Easter a three-month-long celebration?)
But whatever. The important thing is that it’s hot cross bun season – which means it’s also not cross bun (NXB) season.
Never seen one? That’s not surprising: these limited-edition buns are hard to find in the wild, and shoppers tend to go into COVID toilet paper mode when they see them and grab as many as they can carry.
These Frankenbuns seem to get weirder each year, and they’ve almost become a PR stunt to boost the supermarkets’ cred
How did these elusive Easter treats come to exist?
It all started with fruit-free, choc chip and apple and cinnamon buns, through to the strange-but-not-completely-absurd Vegemite and cheese buns, but these last few years have been wild.
Previous crimes against tastebuds have included buns inspired by Pizza Shapes, fairy bread, Iced Vovos, burger sauce, and other egregious offerings.
These Frankenbuns seem to get weirder each year, and they’ve almost become a PR stunt to boost the supermarkets’ cred: better to be infamous for your questionable creations than ignored for playing it safe, right?
Each year, we dare intrepid CHOICE bun enthusiasts to taste them, to help you decide which ones are worth the dough and which buns belong in the bin.
Here’s what was in this year’s bun bonanza (or bun-anza, if you will):
If traditional buns are more your style, the results of our official hot cross buns review will be available very soon. We’ll reveal the best traditional buns from Woolies, Coles, Aldi, Costco, IGA, Bakers Delight and more.
CHOICE staff bravely taste these questionable creations so you don’t have to.
Coles Doritos Inspired Cheesy Jalapeno Hot Cross Buns
Price: $5.50 per 4-pack
Price per bun: $1.38
CHOICE staff still speak in hushed tones about one bun from 2023: the Coles Special Burger Sauce NXB.
Studded with pickle pieces and topped with cheese, it elicited such responses as “absolutely diabolical aftertaste”, “tastes like vomit”, “why would you do that??”.
The controversy seems to have spurred Coles on and now the supermarket creates increasingly unholy flavour combinations each year.
In 2024 it was Pizza Shapes (described by one taste tester as “the worst tasting thing ever; 0/10”) and Iced Vovo (“tastes like playdough and jam”) NXBs. In 2025, they came out with the slightly more tame Wagon Wheel NXB (“it made promises it didn’t deliver”).
Coles is living up to its reputation as a purveyor of gastronomic atrocities with a Doritos collab
In 2026, Coles is living up to its reputation as a purveyor of gastronomic atrocities with a Doritos collab. (We’re already a little nervous about Easter 2027.)
Despite the horrors of years past, CHOICE staff bravely lined up to trial these controversial buns.
What the supermarket says:
“Inspired by the flavours of Doritos these hot cross buns are flavoured with cheese, Doritos inspired seasoning, spicy jalapenos and tomato granules.”
What our taste testers said:
Shaina’s response was succinct but definitive.
It’s an offense to mankind.
I think it’s worse than the Coles burger sauce one.
It’s very spicy, quite salty, entirely unpleasant.
I don’t like it but I don’t hate it as much as I thought I would.
Would I buy it? God no.
It does taste like cheesy jalapeno, so if that’s what you’re after in a hot cross bun, then (a) go for it, and (b) good god why would you want that.
Flavour is beyond gross.
It’s not a hot cross bun, but if you gave it to me heated up and said “this is a cheesy jalapeno bread” I’d be like mmmm.
Tastes a bit like sick.
They’re a zero out of 10 and they go in the bin.
You could use these for chemical warfare.
Editorial director Mark had an especially violent reaction to the Doritos buns:
“I took one bite, I held it in my mouth for two seconds, then I started dry heaving,” he says.
“I tried to swallow it but I had to spit it all out in the bin. Honestly, it pretty much made me vomit.
“It’s the worst thing I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
It’s the worst thing I’ve ever eaten in my life
Mark Serrels, CHOICE Editorial Director
Our verdict:
We thought they’d crossed a line with the Pizza Shapes NXB, but it seems that Coles won’t stop in its pursuit of the most disgusting dough creation.
At this point the most shocking thing Coles could do at Easter 2027 is to stop making not cross buns altogether, but we have an uncomfortable feeling that they’ll find a way to top this faux-cheese faux pas.
Honestly, we’re not even sure what to think any more. Should you buy it? Sure, why not? $5.50 isn’t much to pay for the entertainment you’ll get from feeding this to your friends. (Though it’s probably better served to your enemies.)
We can only assume that these were created more for publicity than public consumption. Unless you want to risk permanently damaging your tastebuds (or those of your arch-nemesis), we suggest you avoid these at all costs.
Woolworths Indulgent Cinnabon Bakery Inspired Hot Cross Buns
Price: $5.50 per 4-pack
Price per bun: $1.38 each
In 2025, Woolies cleverly cashed in on the Biscoff craze.
The strategy paid off: the Biscoff buns were the most popular in our taste test last year.
They know they’re onto a good thing, so this year they’re leveraging people’s obsession with Cinnabon – the popular American chain of bakeries known for its signature cinnamon rolls topped with cinnamon-infused cream cheese frosting.
Since cinnamon is already a core HXB ingredient, a Cinnabon bun isn’t exactly pushing the envelope but given the hype around this flavour combo, it was almost guaranteed to be a sweet success for the supermarket.
What the supermarket says
“An irresistible cinnamon infused bun filled with ooey gooey cream cheese-style filling.”
What our taste testers said:
Ooey *and* gooey: Woolworths’ Cinnabon NXBs.
Like a really indulgent cinnamon scroll.
Tastes really good! Not as sweet as raw Cinnabon.
These are my absolute favourite. I freeze packets of them and eat them throughout the year because I love them so much.
I love it! The soft centre is divine indulgence.
The filling offsets the dryness of the bun but makes the dough around it soggy.
This is the least unpleasant of the lot.
Excellent – no notes.
I will 100% be buying these.
The GOAT. The best one by miles.
Our verdict:
Everyone wants these buns, hun! They were far and away the most popular, with many taste testers going back for seconds (and thirds and more).
Coles Easter Arnott’s Mint Slice Inspired Hot Cross Buns
Price: $5.50 per 4-pack
Price per bun: $1.38 each
This is the fourth Coles x Arnott’s collab, and the supermarket has continued its strategy of appealing to shoppers’ sense of nostalgia with this take on the beloved Australian biscuit.
Messing with an iconic treat is risky business – especially when it’s combined with something as traditional as a hot cross bun.
So, the biscuit-to-bun transition: delicious, or disappointing?
What the supermarket says:
“A true Aussie icon, inspired by the flavours of Mint Slice these hot cross buns are packed with choc chunks and peppermint flavoured fudge pieces.”
What our taste testers said:
Simon contemplates the Mint Slice NXB.
Not half bad, just a bit dry.
It tastes exactly like a Mint Slice but without the benefit of the crunch.
Poor cousin to the actual Mint Slice biscuit – lacks the crunch and fondant combo.
Not chocolatey enough.
Not terrible, but definitely worse than a normal hot cross bun.
There’s not much point to it.
Our verdict:
If you’re a Mint Slice fan, these could be worth buying for the novelty factor alone. However, Mint Slice purists may be disappointed by the texture and dialled-down flavour.
If, like me, you’re not a fan of toothpaste flavour with your hot cross bun, leave these on the shelf.
Aldi Bakers Life Indulgent Rocky Road Inspired Hot Cross Buns
Price: $4.49 per 4-pack
Price per bun: $1.12
Budget supermarket chain Aldi is famous for creating cheaper knock-offs of popular products, and its in-house products often rival the big brands.
The German giant has always done its own thing rather than trying to compete directly with the Big Two supermarkets, so it’s gone with a classic flavour instead of relying on the popularity of a well-known brand.
Opinion was split over last year’s Aldi offering, a banoffee-flavoured bun, with some taste testers loving the bun-ana flavour and others feeling they should be hit with the ban(ana) hammer.
It’s on shelves again this year if it a-peels to you.
Has Aldi chosen a rocky path with its rocky road NXB, or will the classic flavour combo mean smooth sailing?
The coconut pieces looked disconcertingly like mould.
What our taste testers said:
Bit of a nothing bun really. Tastes fine.
Too sweet and unpleasant fake flavour.
The rocky road bits are really small; almost non-existent.
Surprisingly not terrible.
Not enough rocky road bits.
This is awful! Dry, crumbly, weird Cherry Ripe/coconut thing going on.
Our verdict:
Aldi’s buns don’t actually contain any marshmallow, which is widely considered to be a key ingredient of rocky road. Can these even really claim to be rocky road without them?
Whether or not the lack of marshmallows is a dealbreaker, these are unlikely to rock-y your world.
If the mouldy-looking coconut pieces don’t put you off, the taste will: they’re dry, lacking in flavour and just generally underwhelming.
Coles Matcha & Raspberry Inspired Hot Cross Buns
Price: $5.50 per 4-pack
Price per bun: $1.38
Matcha seems to be everywhere and in everything these days – and now it’s in your hot cross buns.
But is that a good idea? Our taste testers munched through these matcha buns to find out.
What the supermarket says:
“Inspired by the flavours of a raspberry matcha latte these hot cross buns are flavoured with matcha green tea and packed with creamy white chocolate chips and raspberry flavoured fudge pieces.”
What our taste testers said:
Where’s the matcha? Many taste testers couldn’t detect it.
You can’t taste the matcha. I normally hate matcha and there is only a hint of it. I’d buy it.
A bit doughy.
Flavour is a little lacking.
Could be worse.
Nooooo.
Doesn’t taste like matcha at all.
Odd. The raspberry dominates; it tastes like Allens raspberry lollies.
I can’t taste the matcha, which is not a bad thing.
It’s a disturbing colour.
Matcha has to work hard for me in the first place, and this one isn’t working hard enough.
Our verdict:
Matcha is polarising: some people love it; others think it tastes like dusty grass clippings.
Whichever camp you fall in, you probably won’t hate these because they don’t actually taste much-a like matcha.
IGA Terry’s Chocolate Orange Hot Cross Buns
Price: $7.50 per 4-pack
Price per bun: $1.88
An old-school British brand, Terry’s Chocolate Orange tends to have an older target market – some younger taste testers had never heard of it before.
But it has stood the test of time and now it’s in a bakery section near you.
Were these buns Terry-ble or Terry-fic?
What our taste testers said:
Tastes like orange flavoured medicine. Would I buy it? NEVER EVER.
Not too sweet but a little dry.
Could do with some choc chunks.
Good texture; not enough chocolate.
Terry’s Choc Orange was another not-chocolatey-enough chocolate bun.
Pretty meh.
I love Terrys so I was very excited. True to taste. I liked it.
Pleasant aroma but bland flavour.
Disappointing – I thought this would be a lot better as I love Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
Our verdict:
As with many of these brand collabs, it doesn’t hold a candle to the OG product.
If you have a hankering for Terry’s Chocolate Orange, these won’t hit the spot.
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Alice Richard is a Content creator and marketer. Alice writes on a range of topics, from health insurance to heaters and BBQs to bargain-hunting, always with the aim to help consumers find the best products to buy, and which to avoid.
Alice can take vast amounts of data from CHOICE product tests and turn it into content that is easily digestible and fun for readers.
Alice has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. LinkedIn
Alice Richard is a Content creator and marketer. Alice writes on a range of topics, from health insurance to heaters and BBQs to bargain-hunting, always with the aim to help consumers find the best products to buy, and which to avoid.
Alice can take vast amounts of data from CHOICE product tests and turn it into content that is easily digestible and fun for readers.
Alice has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. LinkedIn
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