The Knox has vegan options for Hot Cross Bun lovers. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
They seem to appear earlier and earlier each year, but I prefer to wait until Easter week before indulging in a classic Hot Cross Bun. Creative bakers are forever adding new flavour combinations – chocolate chip, fruit-free, Biscoff – but for this test, I’ve stuck to the classics.
I’ve done the tough work, tasting some of Canberra’s best locally made Hot Cross Buns to see which ones are worth your hard-earned pennies.
The Knox, Watson
The Knox is a neighbourhood cafe with an in-house bakery in Watson, and the team also expanded with The Irvine in Belconnen. The two are perpetually buzzing with locals dining in and grabbing coffees or a loaf of fresh bread.
The Knox’s classic Hot Cross Buns are vegan-friendly (most HCBs contain egg and milk) and a little denser than others I tried, but they are still a satisfying bun.
$2.80 ea or 6 for $13.50
Ainslie Bakehouse serves up beautifully fluffy, light hot cross buns. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Bakehouse, Ainslie
The Bakehouse does a steady trade in ready-made sandwiches, hot pies and tasty loaves. They had a beautiful fig danish on the menu, making the best use of the seasonal fruit, but I skipped that tempting pastry to continue my Hot Cross Bun quest.
Fluffy and light, these pillowy buns are delightful. Lightly spiced with a good scattering of fruit, these buns pair perfectly with a cuppa and lying to your nan about going to the service on Sunday.
6 for $14
Three Mills Bakery, various locations
After winning a silver medal at the 2024 Royal Easter Show, Three Mills Bakery is rightly proud of its Hot Cross Buns. They’ve got a sticky glaze, citrus peel and plenty of fruit. Fingers crossed they come up trumps again at this year’s show!
6 for $24
Hot-cross buns from Danny’s Bakery, Narrabundah. Photo: Danny’s Bakery, Facebook.
Danny’s Bakery, Narrabundah
A popular choice for Canberra’s best hot cross buns, Danny’s Bakery in Narrabundah makes sourdough Hot Cross Buns that see people coming from all over town and beyond. These buns are hand-rolled and often as big as your head!
The shop is now run mainly by the second generation of bakers, with 78-year-old Danny keeping a watchful eye to ensure everything is up to scratch.
6 for $15
Sonoma places its emphasis on flavour over tradition. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Sonoma, Braddon
Taking inspiration from the wood-fired sourdough bakes of San Fransisco, Sonoma Bakery started in a small NSW town before spreading to Sydney and beyond. Canberra is home to one Sonoma-branded bakery in Braddon. Much loved for their Portuguese custard tarts and soft miche loaves, Sonoma also does a killer Easter bun.
The ‘not’ cross buns from Sonoma come with a non-traditional S and are dotted with cranberries and a scattering of citrus peel. I enjoyed the tartness of the fruit, with the touch of bitter citrus keeping each bite interesting.
6 for $20
Under Bakery, Mawson
Lachlan Cutting and his team also eschew the traditional cross on their Easter fruit buns (and let’s be honest, a flour and water paste isn’t particularly tasty pastry work anyway). They’ve got a deliciously sticky glaze, plenty of fruit and citrus peel with ginger spice and all things nice. These buns are so tasty that I’d happily have them at any time of year, but instead, I’ll need to take advantage of the season and enjoy them while they last.
6 for $28
Evoke Bakery has become a much-loved neighbourhood bakery. Photo: Evoke.
Evoke Bakery, Curtin
The fellas at Evoke are doing a fab job slinging pastries, breads, pies and more to the good people of the Inner South. The team have been picking up ribbons and awards at local and National baking shows for their croissants and sourdough loaves. Their hot cross buns are properly plump and fluffy. And yes, they do chocolate buns, too. No wonder they’re such a favourite!
6 for $15
Where are your favourite Canberra Hot Cross Buns? Let us know in the comments!
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
