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Friday, 20 January 2017

NEW! Mini Chocolate & Orange Hot Cross Buns (Waitrose)

It's official. I'm missing mince pies, yet I still can't bring myself to buy the ones still lurking in Waitrose, Greggs or poundland. It's January after all and one must wait until they return to supermarket shelves in August. Helping my pining situation somewhat however is the arrival of the hot cross buns. As I said the other night, the best way to get over mince pies is to get into hot cross buns! It's going to be a similar situation in my house though to the festive pies, I've already spotted so many that I want to try (and will review) but Bert won't touch the things. Oh well, more buns to grow the buns 🍑, right?

 The first buns to be bought however were these chocolate orange mini versions from Waitrose, which appealed because they were reduced to just 55p. Chocolate orange seems to be the favoured flavour choice this year and I've seen versions in M&S and Morrisons too. To be honest It was Waitrose's cherry almond buns that really appealed -which I'm praying are an improvement on their Heston's Bakewell buns of last year- but they were full price so will have to wait.
"9 Hot cross buns made with dark chocolate and orange zest."

 There's only one pack that I've seen that just aren't appealing to me right now* but made me think of Becky & Gemma on Instagram who both left me comments about eating hot cross buns with marmite...

Meanwhile the chocolate orange mini buns looked a little worse for wear, and for once my clumsiness wasn't to blame, for they had been rammed into the bargain bin (you should've seen the state of some of the loaves in there).

A super strong tang greeted my nostrils as soon as I ripped open the pack. They were fairly soft and light too, so far so good.

I decided to try my first bun toasted with JimJams chocolate hazelnut spread, but that proved to be a silly move because the chocolate chips melted over the toaster and the chocolate spread completely overpowered the orange flavour. As a messy chocolatey bun it was enjoyable though!

Attempt number two I decided to eat at room temperature, and spread one half with butter and the other half with peanut butter. I couldn't help myself ok? This time I could really appreciate the richness of both the dough and the dark chocolate chips. Unfortunately the orange flavour was once again overshadowed, and I'd have really like the smell to have translated into taste. The 3% zest just wasn't enough to shine through. My other bug bear was the lack of raisins or sultanas. Is it just me who doesn't believe a bun is 'hot cross' unless brimming with dried fruit?

 I can't deny that I enjoyed my first buns of the year, but I hope they're not the best 2017 has to offer.

 After the marmite comments I'm intrigued: how do you eat yours?

6/10

 *inquisitiveness might change this though!

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9 comments:

  1. daisychain20 January 2017 at 17:43

    I keep it simple with butter on my buns- I was eyeing up the selection in Waitrose earlier as it happens! x

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    1. Unknown20 January 2017 at 23:02

      Ooh did you buy any? xx

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    2. daisychain23 January 2017 at 18:45

      Not yet, I need to wait until at least February to mentally be ok with purchasing Easter goods! xx

      Delete
  2. danielle24 January 2017 at 10:28

    I just eat them as they are, maybe warmed in the microwave or oven. its a cake, I don't understand why people toast them or put butter on them, especially when its about 2 inches thick, it makes my skin crawl!!!

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    1. Unknown24 January 2017 at 11:19

      They're made from bread dough not a cake dough, a bit like brioche. Do you not toast brioche buns either? I'd never thought to microwave them, I imagine they must go soggy though (as bread does). x

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  3. danielle25 January 2017 at 10:13

    Can't say I eat brioche buns a whole lot to be honest.

    they are flavoured like a cake though and that's how I see them. I've never had butter on them, it just seems a bit weird to me. a few seconds is all it needs in the microwave, I don't find it goes soggy. Ice buns and Belgian buns are made with bread dough and are still in cake section :-)

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    1. Unknown25 January 2017 at 13:05

      Good point! I'd never thought of them like that. I still like mine buttered though. Lemons curd works well in fruity ones too.. Mmm!

      Delete
  4. danielle25 January 2017 at 18:26

    I realise i am probably in the minority in my hot cross bun prefences ;-)

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  5. D18 April 2017 at 17:02

    Thumbs up to the chocolate orange waitrose ones, and i got 50p off too :-) there are lots though so i have put 3 in the freezer to enjoy another time as my binge week is now over! (altho i did not make much of a dent in my hoarding cupboard of treats or make much of a dent in the ice cream i bought!)

    p.s. twinkies that are 2 years out of date are a bit.......dry.. lol

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