I don’t want none unless you’ve got buns hun.
I don’t want none unless you’ve got buns hun.
Can you guess what our fave thing about Easter is? Besides the obvious (consuming our body weight in chocolate and the fact that we get a 4-day weekend), it’s also related to eating and this will surprise absolutely no-one.
Hot cross buns are an Easter tradition we wholeheartedly get behind….even if they expand our behind. These bad boys may have been around since the Christmas puddings left the shelves, but this doesn’t make them taste any less spesh over actual Easter.
If you’re like us, we prefer our HCBs freshly baked using top-notch ingredients and not mass produced #SozColes&Woolies. That’s why we’ve made a list of the Coast’s best places to get your bun on this year (listed north to south).
Colour us egg-cited because Franquette, Tambo’s bakery King, is whipping up Traditional Hot Cross Buns and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns like a boss. Available until the end of Easter, the French do a HCB like no-one else – particularly Founder and Head Baker Jérôme Favier. Already a GC fave, be sure to pick up some other artisan carby goodies while you’re there. You’re welcome.
Where: 159 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain
Forget those sad supermarket buns because Banjo’s Bakery has just dropped their Double Choc Nutella Hot Cross Buns. No preservatives, no shortcuts. Available until April 21, these heavenly Nutella hot cross buns are fresh from the oven in store at their Helensvale location. But for the traditionalists out there, other hot cross bun flavours available include Traditional Fruit, Chocolate and Gourmet Fruit.
Where: 104 Helensvale Road, Helensvale
Easter has landed at Janus Deli with limited-edition Hot Cross Bun Donut Creations! Choose from the Biscoff Hot Cross Bun Donut, packed with housemade Biscoff cream and sauce, or the Pistachio Hot Cross Bun Donut, filled with pistachio ganache, dark choc, and hidden Easter eggs. Available from Saturday 12th April until Easter Sunday at Surfers Paradise and Molendinar.
Where: 12 Hanlan Street, Surfers Paradise and Shop 14, Crestwood Plaza, 458 Olsen Ave, Molendinar
Hop to it, dessert lovers, YOMG is putting a seriously sweet spin on an Easter classic! Their Pistachio Choc Fudge Hot Cross Bun is the kind of treat that makes you question why we don’t eat hot cross buns year-round. We’re talking a toasted fruit bun stacked with silky chocolate fudge frozen yogurt, lashings of pistachio sauce, crunchy YOMG crumble, and yep, another cheeky bun for good measure. It’s a hot cross bun glow-up you didn’t know you needed. Available from Thursday 10 April for two weeks (or until it hops off the menu). Get in quick, this one’s gonna sell like hot buns.
Where: Pacific Fair (opposite Sephora), Broadbeach
Bunny, I’m home! Pre-orders are open for four primo HCB flavours, made with Bam Bam’s signature pillowy brioche dough. There’s Traditional Hot Cross Buns with dried apricots, cranberries and sultanas, Traditional Piped HCBs with their divine vanilla custard, Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, and Chocolate Salted Caramel HCBs. Or, wrap your mouth around the new Custard Bomb Drop elevated with vanilla custard AND the Easter Bomb, AKA a supersized hot X bun. Holy buns Batman!
Where: 2519 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
No bunny compares to Paddock Bakery, making their two fave ‘ole ye faithfuls, OG Fruit Hot Cross Buns and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, both wood-fired and made with semi-sourdough. But wait there’s more Easter goodness to be had, with the Dippy Eggs making a comeback! Available now, these crowd pleasers feature two Cadbury chocolate eggs filled with vanilla whipped cream and a salted caramel ‘yolk’, served with Paddock’s Cinnamon Doughnut Dippy Fries, fresh strawberry, mini marshmallows, malted chocolate soil and pretzel cookie crumb. Lick dip dunk we say!
Where: 20 Hibiscus Haven, Miami
With a cult following that lines up early (and we mean early) at markets across the Coast, Burnt Croissants has earned its pastry queen status – and now Lucy Davis is branching out into hot cross buns, which has us very excited. Her version is everything you’d expect from someone who’s mastered the croissant: buttery, beautifully balanced and made with love. Expect a soft, delicately spiced bun with a mix of fruit and candied ginger, glazed with a simple sugar syrup.
Where: Various markets including Wednesdays at Evergreen Markets, Robina and Saturdays at Sensory Boutique, Mudgeeraba
Tarte’s iconic hot cross buns at are back – soft, fluffy, pull-apart dough filled with spice, raisins and apricots. Classic, comforting, and completely irresistible. This year, they’ve also taken things up a notch with a seriously delicious twist. Hop into Tarte Bakery for hot cross bun churros. Yep, they’ve transformed their traditional buns into golden sticks of goodness, rolled in cinnamon sugar with crispy edges and a soft centre, served fresh to order with their dreamy house dulce de leche butter. It’s the Easter snack you didn’t know you needed.
Meanwhile, over at Tarte’s dreamy waterfront sister spot, you’ll find an extra indulgent Easter-only dessert that’s here to steal the show. The sticky date hot cross bun. This indulgent Easter special sees their classic bun soaked in warm salted caramel sauce and served with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean gelato. It’s gooey, rich, and only available over the Easter holidays – sweet tooths, assemble.
Where: 2 West Street, Burleigh Heads and 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin
Yummy Sourdough Brioche Hot Cross Buns, come at us! En masse preferably. Available throughout the Easter season, they’re made daily using their signature sourdough brioche, free range eggs, grass fed butter, organic sultanas and raisins, spices, and their special secret ingredient. They’ll never tell – we’ve already tried…. Secret squirrel rabbit mode activated.
Where: 13/50 James Street, Burleigh Heads
The crew at Custard Canteen on Talle Creek are certified HCB experts according to absolutely everybody who has ever sampled their HCB sorcery. Get ready to wrap your laughing gear around one of their decadent Hot Cross Brioche Bombs and we are “mmm-ing” at the mere though. Think housemade brioche charged with Easter spiced fruits and silky mousseline, and if we were stranded on a dessert island, we’d take a bunch of these…that is all.
Where: 1525 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach
Okay so these legends are doing a couple of hot cross bun varieties this year, which is obviously eggcellent news. Whipping ‘em up by the thousands (#NoExaggeration), the Fuel folk certainly give good bun(s). Choose from their Fruit Hot X Buns or decadent Chocolate HCBs and if you can’t pick, do what we do – get both #MoreIsMore.
Where: 44 Currumbin Creek Rd, Currumbin Waters and 23 James St, Burleigh Heads
So it’s totally worth a drive to hook yourself up with some of our region’s most flavoursome HCBs. The Bread Social is a destination in itself, so naturally their Hot X Bun prowess is 100% on point. Lovingly prepared with saffron, cardamom, ginger and a dreamy spiced glaze, they are the bomb diggity. (Hot) Cross our buns hearts! While you’re there, pick up some signature naturally leavened ‘Bread Social’ Sourdough and their famous extra-large custard tart.
Where: 12 Bay Street, Tweed Heads and 2 Queensbury Avenue, Currumbin Waters
Words by Bianca Trathen and Belinda Symons
Our favourite annual four-day weekend is approaching! We’ll give you a hint: It has two legs, two long ears, a furry coat, and a basket full of inarguably the best things in the entire world – chocolate! It’s Easter if you couldn’t crack that code. AKA, the one day where chocolate for breakfast is considered totally acceptable – hence it being our favourite holiday.
But there’s more to this beloved long weekend than just dairy milk. Easter is a time of pure joy, best lapped up with family and friends and good food (yes, savoury food still exists). Where can you find these three things in one place? The Star Gold Coast!
The Lawn
Get ready for a line-up of Easter shenanigans that would make even the bunny jealous. It all kicks off from 1pm on The Lawn, so here’s what we suggest. Take yourselves over to the Garden Kitchen & Bar first for a delicious lunch; we all know Easter hunts require some serious stamina so fuel is needed! Then, it’s go time!
Live music, crafts and face painting will be pumping from 1pm. As the clock strikes 2pm, there will be a VERY special visit from the Easter Bunny himself, followed by an Easter egg hunt from 2:30pm-3pm (register now). Did we mention it’s all free?
Easter Weekend Desserts
It wouldn’t be Easter without Hot Cross Buns! But don’t expect just any Hot Cross Buns at The Star, expect extraordinary! Each restaurant is doing its own take on the classic, which only means one thing- we’re gonna have to try them all!
Garden Kitchen & Bar
Hot cross bun, spiced cloud cake, Earl Grey tea sultana, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream (18 – 21 April)
Uncle Su
Traditional Chinese take on the Hot Cross Buns (18 – 21 April)
Cucina Vivo
Tiramisu Hot Cross Bun dish (18 – 21 April)
M&G Café
Your choice of milkshake in a chocolate Easter Bunny! (18 – 21 April)
Kiyomi
It’s not exactly a hot cross-bun take, but it’s a dessert we’re certainly not mad about. Enjoy dessert and a cocktail for only $35! You’ll get a Shiro Miso Caramel Martini with vodka, espresso, white miso and caramel paired perfectly with Kiyomi’s Popcorn Chocolate, chocolate sponge cake with orange caramel popcorn and ice cream. We’ll be going back for seconds, that’s for sure!! (18 – 21 April).
Chocolate Month at Harvest Buffet
The only thing better than a buffet is a chocolate-themed buffet! Harvest Buffet will be spoiling guests with indulgent chocolate desserts all month long, in addition to all their savoury and sweet crowd-pleasers! Obviously, it’s the perfect option for the Easter long weekend! (1 – 30 April).
For more information or to book, click here.
Where: The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Drive, Broadbeach
When: Various activations from Friday 18th – Monday 21st April
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
STORY SPONSORED BY THE STAR GOLD COAST
The Star practises the responsible service of alcohol. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the Casino. BET WITH YOUR HEAD, NOT OVER IT. Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858.
Get egg-cited Gold Coasters! Easter is approaching fast! Faster than a hopping bunny on Easter morning! We love it because that means a long weekend and eating our years-worth in bunny-shaped chocolate and hot-cross buns before another 365 days of waiting.
However, long weekends + sugar-filled kids = activities are needed! Thankfully, Sanctuary Cove is pulling out all the stops for us! For one day only, the Marine Village will transform into an eggstraordinary Easter Wonderland, packed with family-friendly fun, live entertainment, and more Easter magic than you can shake a chocolate bunny at! Shall we get into more of the delicious details?
Mark your calendars for a ‘FREE family fun day’ at Sanctuary Cove on Sunday, the 20th of April! We assure you, this is an Easter event you won’t want to hop past! From 10am-2pm, the Marine Village will be bursting with activities for all ages to entertain little bunnies (and their grown-ups).
There will be pony rides, Easter-themed arts and crafts, cruises on the Kilkie Ferry and face painting (matching mummy-daughter bunny whiskers?). But wait, it gets MUCH better!
There’s nothing better on Easter than getting a visit from the big-eared legend himself, and this year, he’s bringing his real-bunny sidekick, Pickles. Looking for an extra egg-clusive experience? Book a VIP Package and enjoy a private meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny- no crowds, no queues, just you meeting the real live Easter Bunny (plus cuddles with Pickles).
The sweet VIP magic continues with a take-home Easter gift bag filled with goodies, a delicious chocolate Easter Bunny (because what’s Easter without chocolate?) and a drink, ice cream, or chips voucher from Cove Tavern! VIP sessions run at 9am and 9:30am, but spots are limited, so book fast before they’re all scooped up like the last egg in an Easter egg hunt!
Speaking of Easter egg hunts, drum roll, please…Introducing the Great Sanctuary Cove Easter Egg Hunt! However, instead of finding chocolate eggs (parents sigh relief**), participants will be hunting for codewords to enter a draw to WIN a Nintendo Switch! I think we can compromise a little chocolate for that prize! The hunt will run from 10am-1pm, and all entrants must be present at the draw at 1:55pm to claim their prize!
This all sounds like a cracking good time if you ask us! Whether you’re hunting for the ultimate Easter prize, enjoying a hoppy cruise, or indulging in some delicious Easter treats, there’s something for everyone at Sanctuary Cove’s Easter Eggstravaganza! Get all the details here.
Where: The Marine Village at Sanctuary Cove, 4601 Masthead Way, Hope Island
When: Sunday 31st March
Words by Chelsea Ipsen
STORY SPONSORED BY SANCTUARY COVE
Easter is the perfect time of year to gather the family, spend some quality time together, and…eat… a lot. Especially chocolate because calories don’t count this time of year and yes, our noses just grew considerably. Well one luxurious five-star resort is providing all of the above under, all under the one (eggstravagantly decorated) roof – and we’re all ears! You guessed it, the team at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa have eggcelled once again with their Easter offerings, guaranteed to delight every bunny.
Easter Sunday Seafood Buffet
Start drooling because Citrique’s award-winning seafood buffet lunch will feature a decadent Easter twist! Enjoy a glass of Chandon sparkling on arrival, live entertainment, and the very finest local produce straight from the ocean and paddock to your plate. Treat the tastebuds to Lobster Thermidor, Baked Whole Salmon with dill cream sauce, Prime Rib Beef Carving with peppercorn sauce, Crispy Pork Shoulder with cinnamon apple compote, and Seafood Paella with saffron aioli and fresh herbs. Then, embrace the hoppy occasion with Chocolate Egg Smores, Speckled Egg Rocky Road, Caramel Egg Ice Cream, Hot Cross Buns and Easter Cake Pops. Available on Sunday 9th April from 12pm until 3pm. $69 – $139 per person and reservations are essential. Purchase your tickets here.
Easter Egg Hunt
The famous JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa Easter Egg hunt is back! Open to in-house guests only, it’s the perfect excuse to book a little Easter vacay with the family! The Easter Bunny will be hard at work hiding eggs for your little ones, creating unforgettable memories, photo opportunities a-plenty….and priceless content for your socials! A crowd favourite at the resort, only one thing could rival the excitement of eating chocolate eggs and that’s finding them! The hunt is locked in for Sunday 9th April from 11.30am until 12pm. Bookings are essential via [email protected] or by phoning 07 5592 9800.
Easter Egg Decorating
Another activity involving Easter eggs (there can never be too many), Easter egg decorating is also a crowd favourite at the resort. Extending the invitation to both guests and non-guests, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa’s culinary wizards will teach your mini-me’s the fine art of chocolate making and embellishing. Taking place in Tamborine Gallery, be amazed by their creativity and delight in their eggcitement as they craft their very own edible masterpieces! Sessions will be held on Monday 3rd, Wednesday 5th and Friday 7th of April from 3pm until 3.45pm. Tickets are $25 per child (in-house guests only).
Family Holiday Package
Nothing says Happy Easter like a family getaway! Escape the daily grind, reconnect with your loved ones, and enjoy a luxurious 2-night stay at the stunning resort. To make it extra special, breakfast for two adults and two children is included, as well as complimentary snorkel hire to explore the tropical fish in the breathtaking lagoon. Plus, you can also choose between a JW Garden herb planting experience, or a kids culinary class! This amazing package is available for stays between 3rd February and 30th June and can be booked here. Our tip; make sure you enter the promotional code HO9 when booking.
So hop to it folks and put all your eggs in one basket this Easter at JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa.
Where: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
When: Various activations as detailed above
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY JW MARRIOTT GOLD COAST RESORT & SPA.
