Easter is officially near, and that means hot cross bun season is upon us. From the doughy to the sticky, the spicy and the sweet, venues around Brisbane are fronting up with the chewy stuff for your long weekend.
Here are all the best hot cross buns in Brisbane to get around this Easter.
Darvella Patisserie
Bulimba
Prepare to pre-order... Darvella's hot cross buns are baked fresh daily, and come plump, fluffy, and loaded with whole nutmeg, citrus zest, cranberries, sultanas, currants, figs and dates that have been soaked in brandy for two months. They're a perfectly spiced treat for pairing with your coffee on Easter Sunday and, even better, they're nut-free for those with allergies in the house.
Belle Epoque
South Brisbane
The classic hot cross bun has been reimagined at Emporium Hotel’s signature patisserie, Belle Epoque, and is available in two styles: classic fruit-filled with tea-soaked sultanas, cranberries and orange soaked in spice syrup, or decadent choc cross buns. Perhaps poke upstairs to The Terrace for a Cold Cross Bun cocktail with spiced rum, cold butter and saffron syrup while you're picking up your buns.
Dello Mano
Brisbane City
If you tend to go for the choccy buns over the original version, Dello Mano's hot cross delights might be for you. Stuffed with chunks of real Belgian chocolate, they're about as decadent as they come. While you're at it, you should also nab some of their hot cross brownies, which are honestly our favourite thing about Easter in Brisbane. Browse their Easter range and place your order here.
Cake & Bake
Newstead
Cake & Bake make some of the best damn tarts and cakes in this town, and this year's hot cross bun offering is fluffy, fruity and the perfect snack size for pre- and post- Easter egg demolishing. Order a dozen freshly baked HCBs in advance to get them into your belly even faster.
Hot Cross Cruffin
Lune Croissanterie | South Brisbane
True to form, Lune Croissanterie is delivering a seasonal special that's guaranteed to make Easter morning delicious. The hot cross cruffin will be filled with a spicy and fruity creme patisserie and brushed with a clear, sweet glaze, and will be available in all stores from Monday 11 April to Monday 18 April and online for Easter weekend only (with online sales commencing on Friday 8 April).
Flour & Chocolate
Morningside, Northgate And Redcliffe
Now on the north side and the east side, so you don’t have to cross the river to get your fix, Flour & Chocolate’s hot cross buns are perfectly soft and fluffy with just enough fruit. Pop them in the toaster and slather with some butter for an Easter treat.
Hot Cross Donuts
Nodo Donuts | Various Locations
A classic among Brisbane's Easter treats, Nodo's hot cross donuts are a must-try, especially if you're gluten free. The spiced date donuts topped with couverture milk chocolate and a white chocolate cross make for a perfect sweet treat with a little less guilt than usual thanks to the donut being baked instead of fried, and Nodo's low-GI custom flour.
Brewbakers
Albion
Brewbakers have long had a reputation for a visit being worthy of car trip across town. Their bread, bagels, handmade sausage rolls and amazing chocolate brownies have kept local appetites satisfied. So how do their sourdough hot cross buns fare? Simply delicious! You’ll walk away with at least a dozen (maybe two), trust us.
King Street Bakery
Bowen Hills
With the team behind French icon Montrachet in the kitchen, you know King Street Bakery’s hot cross buns are going to be the picture of perfection. Drool-worthy variations here include the butterscotch stuffed buns and Valhrona choc chip buns, but they’ve also got the classics.
Chouquette
New Farm
Fluffy and pillowy like only the best French bakers can make, Chouquette's hot cross buns are lighter than air and smell incredible. Pick them up in classic or chocolate flavours and float away to France in pure delight.
Banneton
Ashgrove, Camp Hill and Woolloongabba
Famed for their incredible sourdough breads and perfect macarons, Banneton knows a thing or two about baking, and yes, they are certainly up there as producing one of Brisbane’s best hot cross buns. Full of fruit and the perfect balance between pillowy and moist, these beauts are perfect for toasting and slathering with butter.
And here’s where to get your hands on a DIY Easter egg cocktail kit.
Image credit: Darvella Patisserie, Dello Mano, King Street Bakery