Best Hot Cross Buns in Melbourne 2015
The World Loves Melbourne loves a hot cross bun or two or three. With a plethora of hot cross buns on the market we have selected 3 of the best: Bossy Boots in Brighton, Phillippa's, and Cafe Vue. We are not sure how supermarket hot cross buns can get in "best of" lists. We enjoy the traditional style hot cross buns with decent fruit, premium flour (most don't do this), and soft dough. Our favourite is the Bossy Boots hot cross buns (pictured above).
Bossy Boots Cafe - Brighton
Bossy Boots is an iconic cafe in Brighton that boasts a kitchen almost as large as the cafe, with 5 top chefs in action including a dedicated pastry chef. The bakery products are among the best in Melbourne. The hot cross buns are made using premium fruit (not cheap fruit peel) and top notch stoneground flour. You can taste the difference where premium fruit and flour is used.
Check out the golden glaze of glistening goodness! Here you can see excellent texture and plenty of premium fruit. The premium fruit used is top notch Australian currants, raisins and sultanas. No ghastly orange peel.
Bossy Boots also delivers when it comes to size of the bun. These hot cross buns 'walk out the door' each year and are usually sold out each day by early afternoon.
Ben and Rachael are top Melbourne chefs who are meticulous when it comes to process, with no short cuts. The World Loves Melbourne is working with Bossy Boots to let Melbourne know the quality of their bakery products. Bossy Boots is also well known for top notch take home food selections made fresh each day including lasagnes and Hungarian goulash, for example.
Cafe Vue/Burnham Bakery plus online
Shannon Bennett has impressed in the bakery world with his Burham Bakery selections, while Cafe Vue has been offering premium hot cross buns for some time. The three flavours were on show last year and were a hit, so the team are launching with them again (with last years' prices). Check out my photo above with buns on the silver tray.
Chocolate -A little indulgence using a traditional recipe including a smooth puree of orange and ginger, a hint of mixed spice, and smooth chocolate chips. Priced at $3.50 each or $18 for box of six.
Spelt and Cranberry - Spelt wholemeal flour from Powlett Hill Mill with a selection of sweet dried fruit finished off with a hint of mixed spice, ginger and orange. Priced at $3.50 each or $18 for box of six.
These are excellent premium hot cross buns with decent flour and premium fruit, as well as top notch balance and flavour.
Phillippa's - various locations
Phillippa's is another Melbourne favourite when it comes to hot cross buns. We picked up half a dozen from their Armadale store. Phillippa Grogan is an iconic baker in Melbourne delivering when it comes to pastries and cakes, as well as bread. We find Phillippa's to be a one stop shop for gourmet products.
These hot cross buns are a reasonable size, excellent density (light and not too dense) and texture, and contain excellent amount of fruit. With a touch of spice.
Also
Rustica Sourdough - Fitzroy
Adriano Zumbo - South Yarra
Babka Bakery Cafe - Fitzroy
Candied Bakery - Spotswood