Where to Find the Best Hot Cross Buns in Tasmania

Like a lot of English traditions, Aussies have completely jumped on the trend of devouring hot cross buns at Easter time. Sticky and sweet, a bit spicy and usually full of fruit, hot cross buns were first created as a nod to Jesus on the cross and are now a staple of Easter feasting.  

In fact, most of the big supermarkets start stocking hot cross buns straight after Christmas, which gives you an idea of how much we love hot cross buns as a nation. But if you want a slightly more upscale version of a hot cross bun, boutique bakeries battle it out to make the best.

Tasmania, being one of the biggest foodie destinations in Australia, boasts several great hot cross bun options. There’s renowned bakeries all over the state, so we’ve rounded up the best hot cross buns in Tasmania – from Hobart and south, to Launceston and the north – to help you find the ultimate Easter treat.

Jackman & McRoss

Hobart institution Jackman & McRoss is famed for its hot cross buns, which are on the denser side and packed full of fruit and spices, including apricot, lemon, orange peel and hazelnut. There’s so much going on with these citrus-y buns that you won’t necessarily need to slather them in butter since they’re flavourful enough already, but go ahead and do it anyway. It’s tradition!

57 Hampden Road, Battery Point

30 Cross Street, New Town

Bread + Butter

Popular Launceston bakery Bread + Butter attracts hordes of locals and tourists each Easter with its incredible hot cross buns – a lightly-spiced sourdough version with a generous helping of sultanas and currants that is perfect when toasted up and covered with butter and jam.

20 George Street, Launceston

65 Cimitiere Street, Launceston

70 Elizabeth Street, Launceston

Kenzo's 

This little bakery in Launnie serves up some of the best baked goods, fluffy doughnuts and freshly brewed coffee in the state - and their hot cross buns don't mess about. Kenzo's is Easter-ready - and we're hopping on over for their delectably fluffy, milky hot cross buns. Spiced with citrus infused fruits and glazed with Prickly Box Honey, these glistening beauties are hard to go past when it comes to the best hot cross buns in Tasmania. 

Available for pre-order now and ready for pick up 29th & 30th of March (Friday and Saturday)

56 Cameron Street, Launceston 

Pigeon Whole Bakers

Hobart bakery Pigeon Whole Bakers has folks lining up (or placing orders online) each Easter for its two varieties of hot cross buns. First up is the traditional version – yeasted sweet buns with plenty of spices, a hint of citrus and of course, currants. Sweet tooth's will love Pigeon Whole’s decadent chocolate hot cross buns, made with dark chocolate and cranberries.

32 Argyle Street, Hobart

Summer Kitchen

If you’re looking for delicious organic hot cross buns, head to Summer Kitchen in the Huon Valley town of Ranelagh. This renowned bakery attracts visitors from all over, and their woodfired, spiced hot cross buns (with a hint of honey) are a crowd favourite each year. Get it quick – they tend to sell out daily.

21 Marguerite Street, Ranelagh

Manubread

Launceston bakery Manubread regularly sells out of its hot cross buns, offering two types: regular and gourmet, the latter being packed with even more fruit, nuts and spices. On top of that, the gourmet version is made with a viennois dough – a soft, French-style milk bread that takes these buns to another level.

215 Invermay Road, Invermay

Little Bay Patisserie

There’s a few reasons to visit the tiny east coast town of Bicheno – it’s beautifully picturesque, has a healthy population of local penguins and also this fantastic bakery, Little Bay Patisserie. It serves up the sweetest Easter buns – plump, round and brushed with a brown sugar glaze. Perfect served warmed up with a steaming cup of tea.

69 Burgess Street, Bicheno

Rustic Bakehouse 

Small country town Cressy is a must-stop on the Heritage Highway between Hobart and Launceston. Mainly due to its top-tier bakery, Rustic Bakehouse – which offers up all sorts of delectable treats including two types of hot cross buns (traditional and sourdough) and even hot cross doughnuts if you’re not a bun traditionalist. You can choose from jam, nutella and custard.

78 Main Street, Cressy

Poolish & Co

Cygnet bakery Poolish & Co’s hot cross buns are the ultimate Easter-time guilty pleasure and have earned themselves a legion of local fans. Made from sticky, sweet brioche and packed with organic fruit, you won’t even need an Easter egg after devouring one of these.

26 Mary Street, Cygnet

Hill Street Grocer

Not only does this Tassie grocer (with 10 locations around the state) stock both Pigeon Whole and Jackman & McRoss hot cross buns, you can also pick up a bag of Cripps’ crowd-pleasing budget-friendly Jim’s Mum’s Hot Cross Buns at Hill Street Grocer. They’re light and soft with a good bun to fruit ratio – perfect for sticking in the toaster.

Various locations, Tasmania

Loved our guide to the best hot cross buns in Hobart, Launceston and Tassie as a whole? Be sure to get your fill of the best bakeries in Hobart and the best markets in Launceston.