London’s Best Hot Cross Buns
London’s bakeries have gotten so high quality in recent years that a friendly competition has emerged amongst baked goods fanatics. Each neighbourhood has their contenders and each punter has their favourite. Queues are common and we often marvel at the distances some will travel to get their hands on the baked goods.
Come spring, many of the best bakeries make the Easter seasonal treat, a Hot Cross Bun, available for a few short weeks in the run up to the festival. We love a Hot Crossie, so we take a particular interest in this time of year. We’ve done our research and here is the hot list of London’s best buns.
Maya’s Bakehouse
Brixton’s favourite baker, Maya, makes properly delicious bakes. Her HXBs are glazed with blood orange syrup which is enough to tempt us down there.
37 Tulse Hill, SW2 2TJ
Toklas Bakery
Toklas does presentation beautifully and these really look stunning. They use peel from Todolí Citrus, a ‘living tree museum’ with over 500 varieties of citrus fruit, so you can have a side-serving of smug whilst you scoff your bun, safe in the knowledge your good taste is supporting good growing.
9 Surrey Street, WC2R 2ND
Toad Bakery
Ok, so this is a lazy pick, because they are our neighbours… BUT Toad has collected a cult following for a reason. Their hot cross buns are made with Earl Grey tea alongside their secret spice mix and are banging enough to make the inevitable queue down Peckham Road worth it.
44 Peckham Rd, Camberwell, SE5 8PX
Popham’s Bakery
If you can’t be arsed to stand in a queue with other bun fanatics, Pophams offer pre-order for pick-up (and delivery to some London postcodes). Other perks include a cross made of laminated croissant dough…
Locations in north and east London.
The Dusty Knuckle
East London favourite is a proper institution for many reasons. This year they have created a vegan hot crossie this year. Cue delight and horror in equal measure, depending on your stance. But these are the facts, people.
Locations in north and east London.
Quince Bakery
The ingredients list on these sounds like poetry and Felicity Spector is a fan. AND they accept pre-order, which is relaxing.
267 New North Road, Islington, N1 7AA
