Interest in the 2023 Great NZ Hot Cross Bun Competition is certainly heating up as word spreads that there is no restriction on the type of hot cross buns bakers can enter in this national competition.
While individual weight and the appropriate look of the hot cross buns must meet specific criteria, such as perfect crosses and good colouring, bakers can enter any flavour and recipe style they like.
Of course the very popular traditional hot cross bun with its warm spices and smatterings of fruit will still be a strong contender, but this year Baking New Zealand, who runs the annual bun fest, has decided to see where other flavours rank in popularity.
Competition manager Dave Bradley says they’re keen to see what will arrive for judging; it could be anything from chocolate to savoury and from gluten free to sourdough and everything in between.
Last year Auckland bakery, Daily Bread took home the top prize and experienced a massive boost to their sales as did U-Bake from Timaru who placed second and Copenhagen Bakery in Christchurch won third, respectively. Judging day is March 17 at NZ Bakels in Palmerston North with the winner announced on Tuesday, March 21. There is still time for bakers to enter at www.bakingnz.co.nz
