Hot Cross Buns, Hon

We know you don’t want none unless we’ve got buns (of the hot-cross variety, hon), so we’ve rounded up three three local bakeries who do, all ready for your Easter table and general springtime snacking:

Bel Café: One a penny? This isn’t 1793. Nab individual HCBs in cute cupcake wrappers for $2.80 each or $34 per dozen (pre-ordering encouraged, these buns are in high-demand). Old-school superstition decrees leaving one bun in your kitchen all year to ensure your baked goods never burn, so, good luck with that. Bel Café, 801 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, 604-673-7000, belcafe.com

Beaucoup Bakery: From March 23rd to April 6th, Beaucoup will be offering its brioche-y take on buns (pictured), with French candied lemon and orange peel (we can smell ’em already). Sold individually for $2.75, call ahead for large orders. Beaucoup Bakery, 2150 Fir Street, Vancouver, 604-732-4222, www.beaucoupbakery.com

Uprising Breads: Its firmly entrenched "breads with substance" mantra extends past the loaf; there are no insubstantial buns here. Rather, expect a dense, sweet whole-wheat version of a classic HCB, with a nice spicy kick and generous icing drizzle. On sale till April 11th, they’re $5.25 for six. Uprising Breads, 1697 Venables Street, Vancouver, 604-254-5635, www.uprisingbreads.com

So tell your anaconda to just settle down, OK? Buns abound. —Adrienne Matei