One supermarket has announced the return of a limited edition Easter treat – just two days after Christmas has wrapped.
Customers have been posting images of hot cross buns on shelves at Woolworths and Coles on Boxing Day.
Now, Coles has confirmed that its Vegemite hot cross buns are back, as well announcing new Coles Finest fruity brioche hot cross buns.
Last year, the Vegemite buns sold out within weeks after appeared on supermarket shelves.
In 2021 there was a 25 per cent increase of hot cross buns bought in December compared to the year before.
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Coles executive general manager of Fresh Andy Mossop said: “Customers love our delicious hot cross buns and the early sales in December tell us that there is strong demand to try the limited Vegemite flavours before the traditional Easter period.
“The savoury Vegemite mash-up is a favourite but for something a little sweeter, the new brioche dough base of our limited-edition fruity brioche hot cross buns gives a more premium feel to the classic taste our customers know and love.”
Meanwhile, Bega Foods Vegemite marketing manager Jessica Hoare said Vegemite fans and hot cross bun lovers will be excited to see the product return to Coles.
“The response from customers to the Vegemite hot cross buns has been incredible, and we’re thrilled to be joining forces with Coles to bring even more buns to happy little Vegemites across the country.”
The fruity brioche hot cross buns are $5 for a four-pack and the limited-edition Coles Vegemite hot cross buns are also $5 for a four-pack, with more exciting new flavours to comes to the supermarket giant early next year.
And Woolworths announced on Boxing Day it would bring back hot cross buns with Cadbury Caramilk chips, sold exclusively at Woolworths stores.
The supermarket said the buns would be made in a larger quantity, and available for a longer period of time, so more fanatics could get their hands on a four-pack for $5.
The range also includes Cadbury chocolate chip brioche hot cross buns and decadent fruit hot cross buns with soaked vine fruit, cranberries and candied orange.
The apple and cinnamon hot cross buns will also make a return, as well as the gluten-free varieties.
But shoppers were outraged at the news.
“Are you kidding me? This must be a p**stake?” one furious shopper wrote.
“Take [your] hot cross buns and shove it until Good Friday.”
They added: “I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas today and now we can look forward to the hot cross buns out tomorrow in the supermarkets. God spare me this lunacy.”
Aldi’s hot cross buns will arrive in stores on January 20.
It comes after shoppers spotted Easter egg chocolates in Big W on December 22 – before Christmas had even happened.
Eagle-eyed customers spotted the Big W in Macarthur Square, southwest Sydney, was selling Ferrero Rocher chocolates with Easter packaging. One woman took to popular Facebook page Markdown Addicts Australia to share her annoyance.
“Easter eggs! On December 22! What is this monstrosity,” the woman posted.
She added the hashtag #letsgetoverXmasfirst to her post.
Many were annoyed by the chocolates being on sale.
One said: “No! Finish one seasonal holiday first.”
“Shame on the shop, and the supplier,” another added to the thread.