The Best Hot Cross Buns in Melbourne
Come January, hot cross buns are already flying off the shelves. And while the supermarket HCB is a fine (and affordable) choice, there are plenty of bakeries and cafes around town putting their own spin on the ubiquitous Easter classic.
Now as we close in on the holiday, it’s time to hunt down the city’s best. From traditional styles packed with fruit and spice to something more inventive, like an ube rendition and a crème brûlée number, make sure you cross one of these buns off your list.
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Baker Bleu Cremorne
Pick between a traditional take with cinnamon, ginger, orange and raisins or a decadent sour cherry and dark chocolate number finished with a cocoa-spiked cross. Order a six-pack priced at $25.20 online or head in store. Also in Hawksburn and Caulfield North.
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Bread Club
Its 24-hour fermented Hot XXX Buns come in a traditional fresh fruit and spice flavour (jam-packed with citrus, cranberries, ginger and cardamom), priced at $23 for a six-pack. Or go for the super choc-loaded variety made from a buttery brioche-style dough, house toffee and cocoa by local chocolatiers Hunted & Gathered ($25 a pack). Also in Albert Park.
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Dench Bakers
A favourite among Fitzroy locals, these traditional sourdough beauties are baked fresh seven days a week ($15.50 six-pack). Hero ingredients include certified organic Aussie flour, raisins, whole pureed orange, fresh ginger and Dench’s secret spice mix. Or try the chocolate orange flavour ($16.90 six-pack).
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Falco Bakery
According to some of the city’s top chefs, Falco is responsible for the best HCB in town. An all-rounder in its field, Falco’s HCB is soft, chewy, fruity, spicy and gloriously sticky all at once. Buns are priced at $5 for one for $25 for half a dozen and sell out early, so get in fast.
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Cobb Lane Richmond Traders
For a Noma alumnus, Cobb Lane’s Matt Forbes keeps things surprisingly simple with his stellar bun. His note-perfect rendition on the classic comes with a zesty kick, courtesy of spiced orange peel and puree. Take one home in a bag for $5, or ramp it up with a six-pack for $28. For a twist, try its sour cherry number.
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Rustica South Yarra
Find hot cross buns in traditional ($25 six-pack), dark chocolate ($27) and doughnut form ($22). The latter is filled with vanilla, cardamon and brandy crème and finished with sugar and a drizzle of white chocolate. Take your pick and order a four-pack online.
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Raya
Teaming up with French-born Melbourne baker Quentin Berthonneau and Oji House, the team at Raya are putting an Asian spin on the classic HCB. This week, a nutty and creamy ube and milk rendition is available to pre-order for a limited time only. Check Instagram to see new weekly flavours.
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To Be Frank Collingwood
This spot serves hot cross buns we’d change religions for. The original is layered with sultanas, currants, orange, cinnamon and nutmeg ($4.60 each, $26 six-pack). Be sure to order ahead so you don’t miss out. Also in Elsternwick.
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Phillippa's
Assembled with minimal yeast, organic vine fruit, fresh spices and candied orange peel, these HCBs are so versatile, in fact, Phillippa’s suggests turning them into ice-cream sandwiches or bread-and-butter pudding. Coming in a six-pack for $24.50, they can be purchased in-store or online for click and collect.
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Q le Baker
Introducing Q le Baker’s newest creation this Easter, the crème brûlée HCB, oozing with vanilla custard. It’s traditional buns are still available along with two new flavours: apple cinnamon and chocolate orange. Or get a chocolate version only on weekends.
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Morning Market Fitzroy
For the first time ever, the team at Morning Market are putting their own spin on the traditional HCB. Flavoured with Pastis, Brandy, cardamom, allspice, dried prunes and apricots, they’re priced at $4.50 each or $26 for a half dozen.
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The Wood Frog Bakery
A master in the bun business for years, Woodfrog has plentiful stock at each of its Melbourne locations, which means you’re unlikely to miss out on these soft, sweet and citrusy delights. Devour one for $4, or take half a dozen home for $21.
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Wild Life Bakery
Wild Life’s traditional bun uses a blend of wheat and rye flour ($24 for six-pack). The crowd-favourite chocolate bun returns, this time with a splash of Irish stout from Inner North Brewing ($28 for six-pack).
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Frank & Harri
For its classic buns ($25.90 six-pack), this bright patisserie soaks fruit in cider for a good six months before hand-rolling it into a flavourful, yeasted dough. Its giant pull-apart HCB scroll ($46.90) and triple-choc buns ($26.90 six-pack) are decadent alternatives. Try a bun for $4.90 each.
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Penny for Pound Richmond
Penny For Pound is well-loved for its flaky croissants, glistening danishes and sourdough. Yet its HCBs are also worth your time. Choose from traditional fruit or chocolate at $24 for a six-pack. Also at Moorabbin and Camberwell.
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The Hamptons Bakery
Made from 72-hour sourdough, the traditional fruit bun here hits all the right notes with mixed spice and house-made orange puree. The classic cross is replaced with a signature H, and buns are priced at $4.50 each, $22 for a half-dozen, and $42 for a dozen.
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Antara
Antara is offering a variety of hot cross buns, from sweet to savoury. Traditional HCBs will be available up until Easter. Limited edition flavours like cheddar cheese, chilli and rosemary will be made available as fortnightly specials. Check Instagram to see what's on offer this week.
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Loafer Bread
This beloved bakery turns out sourdough hot cross buns that are laced with all the good stuff: raisins, currants, dark barley malt, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla bean and house-made candied orange and lemon. Plus, they’re vegan. Individual buns are priced at $5.50 for one and $30 for a six-pack.
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Pidapipo Laboratorio
This year the loved gelateria has created a hot cross doughnut, topped with fior di latte gelato and a spiced caramel sauce. Priced at $15 each, they are exclusively available at the Fitzroy location.
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Dua
Find Raya's HCB creations at its sibling Collingwood bakery as well. Teaming up with French-born Melbourne baker Quentin Berthonneau and Oji House, the team are putting an Asian spin on the classic HCB with an ube and milk rendition. Check Instagram to see new weekly flavours.
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Gordon Street Bakery
Responsible for some of the best croissants in the west, Gordon Street Bakery is hot crossing another classic off its list. On offer is a traditional fruit HCB packed with sultanas, currants and raisins, alongside a chocolatey one with a healthy dose of dark-choc chips and cacao. Settle on one for $4.50 or a six-pack for $24.
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Tokyo Lamington
For a limited time, Tokyo Lamington is baking three Easter creations: a hot cross lamington, lamington hot cross buns and yuzu hot cross buns. Stop at one for $5 each, or take home a half-dozen ($27), a dozen ($50), or a combo six-pack of all three ($35).
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Mörk Chocolate Brew House
Mörk’s pillowy chocolate HCBs will melt in your mouth in minutes but stay on your mind for days. They’re layered with North Melbourne-made dark chocolate, candied orange, cranberries and sultanas. Grab half-dozen for $30. Order them online or head in-store.
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Candied Bakery
This west-side favourite is well-loved for its American classics, but it also rolls out the original HCBs each year, which are soft, fruity and made with just the right amount of spice. Try one for $4.70 each or pick up six for $27.
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Pecks Road
Usually known for its triple-ube doughnuts and other Filipino desserts, Pecks Road is adding an ube twist to HCBs. Find creamy ube halaya (purple yam jam) inside each. Also available in the CBD
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All Are Welcome Northcote
Here, classic HCBs are infused with freshly ground spices and made with biodynamic flour, including spelt, giving its buns a nutty flavour. It's finished with a shiny Marmalade glaze. Pre-order a six-pack for $25 online. Also at Thornbury and Ivanhoe East.
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Neds South Yarra
Ned’s is foremost known for its bread. But its buns are just as worthy. This year, the team is serving up a traditional fruit number and a rich chocolate and cherry flavour. Available at all Ned's Bake locations.
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