The best hot cross buns in Sydney

We're calling it: these are the best hot cross buns in Sydney. In addition to filling the hot cross buns at Black Star with fat juicy sultanas, raisins, and fragrant chunks of orange peel, the team have added a special touch – a Frankincense glaze. The infused sugar syrup gives the buns a sticky, glossy coat and the runoff that soaks into the dough adds an extra sweet kick. You can get six for $25 in store or order online. Also, they are also vegan friendly.

The upmarket department store is making their own hot cross buns and it's a solid contender for our affections. A pack of six will set you back $11.95, and for your trouble you'll take home six sticky, fruit-heavy buns that have a gratifying weightiness to them – this is not just a bap with raisins. They also make a chocolate and cranberry version if you're dried fruit-averse, but the classics are the best, and preservative-free so eat them fresh.

At Sonoma outlets across Sydney their Easter offering is all about French curves rather than right angles – their 'not cross buns' are marked with an ‘S’ instead of an ‘X’. These sweet little buns just the ticket for people who are a little skittish about heavy peel content. The Sonoma ones are made with a mix of sultanas and dried cranberries, which add extra sweetness. They go light on the citrus, too. For an extra 50c they’ll toast and butter them for you, or you can have jam for a dollar.

Do you like raisin toast? Of course you do. And what’s better than fruit toast? Hot cross buns. The limited season of these sweet treats make them extra special, but there’s no denying they’re slightly less convenient to fit in the toaster. That's where Bourke Street Bakery’s hot cross loaf has you covered. It’s either a compact loaf or a monster-sized bun, depending on which way you look at it, and comes densely packed with dried fruit and peel.

The tall, fluffy spiced buns from Flour and Stone are glazed in a high-gloss sugar syrup and show a gentler hand in the fruit distribution – this is a bun with scattered raisins throughout as opposed to something that resembles densely laden fruit bread. They are $4 each and are an excellent gateway bun for anyone still unsure on their feelings toward dried fruit in baked goods.