The best supermarket Easter eggs and hot cross buns unveiled in taste test

Good Food, the UK’s top food media brand, has announced the winners of its 2024 Easter Supermarket Taste Test.

They asked nine supermarkets to send in their best Easter treats across 15 categories, including hot cross buns and chocolate eggs.

Besides the winners, the Good Food judging panel also gave a ‘highly commended’ status to products that scored high. All packaging was taken off before the judges saw the products.

Lulu Grimes, who is the managing editor at Good Food, said: “Every year the Good Food Supermarket Taste Test Awards show that you can eat well and save time in the kitchen at Easter without spending a lot of money.

“The best Easter treats we found were not always the most expensive, and there’s a lot of creativity with flavour combinations.”

The best milk chocolate egg

Sainsbury’s Belgian Honeycomb Corn Crunch Giant Easter Egg, £8

Judges loved the unique flavour of this luxurious egg. Aiming to recreate the flavour of a nostalgic cornflake cake, this has a moreish balance of sweet-salty flavour.

They said: “The chocolate is studded with nuggets of honeycomb and crunchy roasted corn.”

Best dark chocolate egg

Morrisons The Best Dark Chocolate Himalayan Sea Salt Easter Egg, £5

The judges said: “A good dark chocolate for an Easter egg, this has a really smooth texture, subtle balanced bitterness and hint of salt.”

Best white chocolate egg

Waitrose The Cracking Pistachio, £14

Judges loved the unique design of this egg, shaped to look like a giant pistachio nut. They said: “The winning element is the ultra creamy blonde chocolate ‘shell’, which was incredibly moreish – but it is worth noting that the green pistachio inner has quite a weak flavour despite the vibrant colour.”

Best vegan egg

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Free From Extra Thick Rocky Road Easter Egg, £8

The judges said: “This chocolate has a good thickness, studded with crunchy biscuit pieces and fluffy marshmallows to add interest. The chocolate is sweet and has a simple ridged design on the outside.”

Best children’s egg

Sainsbury’s Choc-a-lot Bunny Box, £6.50 (joint winner)

The judges commented: “This box of goodies contains everything you need to throw an Easter egg hunt large and small eggs, plus chocolate lollipops too. The box is a fun concept with games on the packaging and a guide to making an Easter bunny costume from the box too.”

Asda Belgian White Chocolate Charli The Chick, £4.40 (joint winner)

The judges remarked: “Kids will love this sweet white chocolate egg with a cute chick design. The white chocolate is impressive quality – rich, creamy and sweet. A great gift.”

Best chocolate bunny

M&S Nibbles The Bunny, £3 (joint winner)

The judges noted: “This adorable design is sure to be popular with children almost too cute to eat! The chocolate tastes a little bit darker than some others we tested, for a touch more depth of flavour.”

Aldi Specially Selected Milk Hazelnut Bunny, £1.69 (joint winner)

The judges stated: “Easter bunnies aren’t just for kids. This hazelnut bunny has a more grown-up flavour, with lots of crunchy nuts throughout and smooth chocolate on a simplistic design.”

Best miniature eggs

M&S Collection Swiss Mini Eggs, £3.50

These smart foil-wrapped milk chocolate eggs have a soft hazelnut centre for a distinctly grown-up treat.

Best classic hot cross buns

Aldi Specially Selected Hot Cross Buns, £1.25

The judges said: “These attractive hot cross buns have a shiny glaze and generous amount of fruit dispersed throughout.” The raisins are juicy and the dough is nicely soft.

Top alternative hot cross buns

Waitrose Belgian Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, £2

The judges commented: “These have a rich chocolate taste with large chocolate chips – a fun twist on a classic hot cross bun that anyone with a sweet tooth will love.”

Best savoury hot cross buns

M&S Extremely Cheesy Hot Cross Buns, £2

The cheesy flavour of these buns was a hit with all judges, who also liked the good texture of the bread and slight chewiness. They remarked: “One of these buns would make an incredibly indulgent grilled cheese sandwich.”