Marzorin 

For years we have relished chicken and chutney sandwiches at Marzorin, and, like every year for the past 25 years, this time too they have counters lined up with hot cross buns for Good Friday.

Packed in a transparent pack of two, bakery staff gets busy preparing these a week in advance. Like most bread here, buns are soft, easy to bite and just the right size. The baker is very particular about the raisins and tutti fruttis he adds in too.

A little on the sweet side, buns here taste best with a piping hot cup of tea, just like they are traditionally supposed to be had. Once here, don’t forget to grab a few delicious sandwiches, bakes and rolls.

Location: MG Road, Camp
Price: Rs 10 for two

  Noble Bakery 

Before we all knew about fancy doughnuts and their variations, most of us really enjoyed a sticky bun filled or topped with cream. Here, the strong aroma of newly-baked bread with fresh cream, just out-of-the-oven cake and delectable veg puffs greet you. This place is a favourite among Wanowrie residents.
 
The owners, the Shaikh brothers, take personal care of the baking and selling unit, and when it comes to Easter and Christmas extra care is taken! The bakery sells nothing less than 1,000 hot cross buns in just three days.

The cross on the bun is made with refined flour and ghee, so it just melts in your mouth. The bun is eggless and staff is eager to please — they happily jot down preferences.

Available in made-to-order flavours and sizes, they also have traditional buns on the shelf till Sunday. This place is also flocked by patrons to grab a bite of their juicy, spicy chicken puff priced at just Rs 13.

Location: Wanowrie
Price: Rs 7/ piece

  Empire Bakery 

Heat it in an oven or have it just as it is, but be sure to have a mouthful of the buttery soft, raisin-filled bread here. Made just a day before Good Friday, staff at Empire bakery have been efficiently churning out the exact same buns for over 30 years now.

Famous for their other bakery products too, everyone here is so helpful that you just can’t help but buy almost half the store. The cakes, biscuits and confectioneries are similar to those your mom or grandmom expertly whip up at home. Owner Imran Kazi does not remember a single year they did not sell all of their buns within a day.

The place prepares a separate batch a few days in advance for people who travel during the weekend and want to carry the breads with them. But, the owner hastens to add, the best ones are the ones made on Friday morning, in true traditional style!

Location: Sharbatwala Chowk
Price: Rs 7/ piece

  Kremes ‘N’ Krusts 

Bringing a twist to the tale, this place does a really interesting and tasty sugar glaze on the cross. Packets filled with buns hits the shelves just two days before Good Friday. They also make sure they have a huge batch ready in advance for loyals who do not follow Lent.

A large number of dry fruits form their main ingredient, and the place also adds freshly ground cinnamon as a spicy twist to the otherwise sweet bun. Very little sugar is added and replaced with milk to keep a natural essence and sweetness.

This little bun does not have a normal cross on top — it comes with a crossed slit highlighted with a sprinkle of sugar granules that turn brown on baking, forming a pretty golden cross that not only looks great but tastes amazing too.

Famous for its corn quiches and chocolate and butterscotch cakes, this confectionery managed a twist on the traditional without tampering with taste and emotion.

Location: Kalyaninagar
Price: Rs 20/ a pack of two

  Baker’s Basket    

We swear by the Chocolate Temptation and Rum Balls here. And while they give us enough reason to come back again and again, this cake shop also does a fairly good version of the hot cross bun too.

A dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and black currant is what sets this bun apart from the rest. Once you break a piece off, a sweet and spicy flavour fills the air. Placed in a huge cane basket, the buns catch your attention the moment you walk in.
 
The soft texture and shiny glaze are further temptations. Slice this bun and savour it hot and toasted with a thick layer of butter. With Easter approaching, the shop also has Easter eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies on sale, which looked quite delicious.

Location: Apte Road
Price: Rs 20/ pack of two