Nothing quite beats the smell of a freshly toasted hot cross bun. The spices and fruit mixed with the fluffy dough create that distinctive aroma that can only mean one thing: Easter is rolling around and every bakery in town is whipping up batches of the perfect creations for our eating pleasure.
To help you consume as many as possible before they disappear for another year, here’s where you can find the Sunshine Coast’s best hot cross buns right now.
The Pastry Laboratory
Caloundra
The Pastry Laboratory never does anything unless it’s done perfectly. So, of course, they produce some of the tastiest and best looking hot cross buns around. Dive into the soft, milky buns, full of fruit or chocolate and you’ll be hooked. Lightly spiced and pleasantly fruity or decadently chocolatey, they’re absolutely worth the jaunt to The Pastry Laboratory and we guarantee one bite of these buns will have you coming back for more. Drool.
Dutchy’s Bakehouse
Sippy Downs and Brightwater
A fourth-generation baker, it’s understandable why Dutchy keeps his cards close when it comes to the secret ingredients in his insanely good hot cross buns. But what we can reveal is they are fluffy, spicy, studded with the sweetest sultanas, and smell amazing. They also have gluten-free and chocolate hot cross bun options, too. With locations in both Sippy Downs and Brightwater, and some very hungry regulars, we recommend visiting early to get your hot cross bun fix.
Walter’s Artisan Bread
Various Locations
Another business we’re toting as making some of the best hot cross buns on the Sunshine Coast, is Woombye wholesaler Walter’s Artisan Bread. Strictly certified organic, sourdough and handmade, the buns at Walter’s take no short cuts in the baking process and have a booming business across the region, sold at most of the organic shops and delis. Think: B-Fresh, Bioshop Noosa, Co-op Maleny, Kunara Marketplace and Organika. They’re also available at IGAs in Maleny and Maroochydore, so no excuses for not trying these great balls of spice.
Harvest Breads
Maroochydore
When an artisan bread shop jumps on the Easter train you know you’re in for a hell of a fruit bun ride. At Harvest Breads, they’ll be pumping out traditional hot cross buns with hints of cinnamon and mixed spice on the daily. They're the oh-so-perfect combination of sweet yet spicy and doughy yet butter. You don't even need to schmear them with butter, but we won't judge you if you do.
Ricks Artisan Pies & Sourdough
Noosaville
Picture this: a cozy Sunday morning with a Ricks hot cross bun in one hand and hot coffee in the other—could it get any better than this? We're definitely thinking not. These mouth-watering creations are dreamier than the chocolate you'll be consuming over Easter and that's a statement we'll never back away from. These guys have nailed the all-important fruit to dough ratio, and for them it's a recreation of the classic.
Kenilworth Country Bakery
Kenilworth
Not only is Kenilworth Country Bakery a local legend, it's also Aussie-renowned as being one of the best bakeries in the nation. So it's a given that these guys will be serving up some of the best hot cross buns on the Sunshine Coast this year. They just know how to create the perfect bun in time for Easter and even sprinkle their master creations with a light dusting of sugar. These perfect treats will have you craving them all year long. Home delivery on the Sunshine Coast is now available, but it is a first in best dressed scenario, so don’t mull over it.
Peregian Beach Bakery
Peregian Beach
It’s an apricot affair at Peregian Beach Bakery with the secret here being just a hint of the furry orange fruit. Also featuring in the buns are dates, sultanas, currants and the all-important spice (they even import their spices from Belgium). Al their buns are hand-made fresh daily, plus there are no preservatives and hidden nasties. Chocolate lovers can also enjoy a devilishly naughty version filled with chocolate chips.
Now that you've snagged your own pack of hot cross buns to take home, it's time to fill that hole in your stomach at the Sunshine Coast's best brunch spots.
Image credit: Ben Tyres