Volare's Award-Winning Hot Cross Buns are Back!
11 March 2025
It’s that time of year again — Hot Cross Bun season! We know plenty of you have been waiting for the return of these plump, spiced, fruit-studded beauties, and we’re happy to say they’re finally back online and in our stores.
Click here to skip the queues and order online, or keep reading to learn more about our process and why we love Hot Cross season so much!
New Zealanders take their Hot Cross Buns seriously. While they might have started as a humble Easter tradition, these buns have become a nationwide obsession, appearing on bakery shelves as early as January. But where did they come from?
Hot Cross Buns have a long and somewhat mysterious history. Some say they date back to ancient times, when spiced breads were baked to mark the changing seasons. Others believe they became a Christian tradition in the 12th century, with monks baking them on Good Friday to symbolize the crucifixion (hence the cross on top). However they started, one thing’s for sure — New Zealanders love them, and we at Volare love baking them.
And we don’t just bake them — we perfect them. Our award-winning Hot Cross Buns are semi-sourdough, which means they have a richer, more complex flavour and are easier to digest than your standard supermarket variety. Made from scratch with a buttery brioche-style dough, we let them ferment just long enough to develop that signature depth of flavour without being too tangy.
Then comes the good stuff — generous amounts of dried fruit (plump cranberries, currants, and sultanas in every bite), our special blend of warming spices, and a beautifully sticky glaze to finish. Every single bun is shaped, baked, and packaged by hand, ensuring you get nothing but the best. No mass production, no cutting corners—just real, handcrafted Hot Cross Buns, exactly as they should be.
Our Hot Cross Buns are best enjoyed toasted, slathered in butter, and preferably with a hot cup of coffee or tea. They’re available in-store and online now for store pickup or home delivery.
Heads up! We’ll have limited quantities available over Easter Weekend, so if you don’t want to miss out, we highly recommend placing a pre-order now. Once they’re gone, they’re gone until next year!
Click here to find your nearest Volare store >>