Shock price of six-pack of hot cross buns

Australia’s inflation squeeze is filtering through into every nook and cranny of life and the humble hot cross bun, an iconic Easter treat, is not immune.

A cafe in Sydney was spotted this week selling a six-pack of hot cross buns for a whopping $30, far above the modest prices that prevail in major supermarkets.

The Bake Bar cafe in Randwick, a suburb in Sydney east, advertises its gluten, dairy, egg and soy free easter treats for $5.50 a pop, or $30 for the standard six.

“Our delicious gluten-free hot cross buns are made from our special mix of tapioca, sorghum and beason,” the cafe states.

“Filled with juicy currants, sultanas and raisins.”

A gluten free four-pack from Woolworths, by contrast, is currently selling for $5.20, while a gluten-free three-pack from Coles is going for $4.

A single, traditional hot cross bun goes for $1.90 at Bakers Delight, while a six-pack costs $9.

But Bake Bar styles itself as an artisan sourdough bakery that places a premium on quality and the business boasts a number of five-star reviews on Google.

“Freshly-baked L’ancienne loaf and chocolate almond croissant are the faves today!” one reviewer writes.

“This wonderful loaf keeps for days (in case you cannot finish it in one go), it is so amazing.”

Another reviewer says the cafe, which also a presence in Rose Bay, Double Bay and Darlinghurst, has the “best bread in (the) eastern suburbs”.

The cafe’s website states the bakery uses “organic ingredients obtained from local suppliers to bake our pastry creations and dishes.”

And steep prices for hot cross buns are now a feature of Sydney’s up-market bakery and cafe scene, with multiple outlets offering up six-packs for more than $20.

The popular Baker Bleu branch in Double Bay, in Sydney’s east, is selling a six-pack of cinnamon spiced orange and raisin buns for $24, while Tokyo Lamington, a bakery in the inner-west, sells six for $27, or 12 for $50.

“Our signature Yuzu Hot Cross Bun is infused with 100 per cent Japanese Yuzu juice, the sultanas are macerated for 3 months, then mixed with our spiced dough, proofed overnight and baked and glazed fresh daily,” the bakery states.

Humble, with locations at Surry Hills and the CBD, offers a traditional six-pack for $25 and custard filled buns for $30.

It also offers an innovative hot cross bun sandwich for $12.

“A fluffy hot cross bun, minus the fruit and filled with Porteño pastrami, horseradish cream, sauerkraut, pickles and Dijon mustard,” the company says.

Bake Bar has been contacted for comment.