They’re sweet, they’re fluffy, they’re baked to perfection, and they’re flying off the pastry shelves again. The cult-favourite Tiramisú hot cross buns have been a hit at Bottega Bandito since they were introduced in 2023, and this year they’re back and more delicious than ever.
The idea was born from Bottega Bandito’s focus on being just a little bit Italian and, when it comes to anything sweet, I think the Italians might just take the cake.
“We always try to give a little Italian twist to things… we decided on Tiramisú because it’s such an iconic Italian dessert and, from when we started, it was a hit,” says Head Chef and Head Baker John Laguna.
What does a Tiramisú hot cross bun involve, you might be wondering?
Well, let me tell you. Triple chocolate – chocolate dough, chocolate chips and white chocolate chips. Then the dough is stuffed with a two-custard filling – one masala, and one espresso.
“We want to make it nice and decadent. We work on this very fluffy dough and then this suprise feeling inside, then we expose it to a high temperature so they won’t develop a crust and they will remain nice and soft,” explains John.
“It’s not your usual Tiramisú. You have this chocolate exterior, a nice and creamy masala filling and then a coffee punch in the middle of it. Soft bun outside, creamy filling inside.”
Decadent, melt-in-your-mouth and cooked to perfection. The art is no quick feat. John and the team have been working on trial batches since February just to make sure the one you’re devouring is a masterpiece.
“Even the failed batches are delicious, but still quite not what we’re looking for. Every couple of days since February we have been making a new batch, analysing and adjusting. And finally, by the end of March, we were ready,” John says.
As a former Bottega Bandito employee, I have clear memories of the lines spilling out the doors on Prospect Road during Easter long weekend in a full-blown hot cross bun frenzy. Many customers were left empty-handed, longing for a bun to take home.
According to John, that year it was him solo, pumping out over six hundred a day for a crowd nobody could anticipate.
“Two years ago, it was it was just me and over that long weekend I think I made like six hundred everyday, so that’s what we’re expecting this year.”
But this year, he’s not alone.
“We are ready for war. We have a team, a new kitchen and a logistics plan. It’s gonna be great.”
If you missed out on these cult-favourites last year, now it’s time to try your luck again. The golden, flavour-packed buns are available to buy all month and, with a new CBD location just off Rundle Mall, getting your hands on them is even easier. See you there.
WHAT: Bottega Bandito Tiramisú hot cross buns
WHEN: April
James Pl: Monday – Friday 7am-3pm, Saturday & Sunday 8am – 3pm
Prospect: Everyday 7am – 4pm
WHERE: 25 James Pl, Adelaide & 1/96 Prospect Rd, Prospect
For more info and to pre-order, click here.
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