Too soon? Hot cross buns hit supermarket shelves three months before Easter

Millions of hot cross buns have hit supermarket shelves while most Australians are still finishing leftovers from Christmas lunch.

Hot cross buns landed in Coles and Woolworths stores across the country on Boxing Day, despite Easter being 96 days away.

Woolworths expects to sell 1.8 million of the Easter staple this week alone, while Coles hopes to surpass the 2.5 million sold last year.

But how soon is too soon for the Easter tradition?

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According to Woolworths bakery merchandise manager Donald Keith demand for the sweet treat is high at this time of the year.

"It's never too early for hot cross buns, I think our customers show each and every year that it's the right to come out," he said.

"We know our customers are looking for those traditional hot cross buns at Woolies."

This year Woolworths will introduce a new Fairy Bread hot cross bun range, on top of its traditional fruit, and chocolate chip varieties.

Other flavours such as Caramilk and Apple Cinnamon, as well as Cadbury's brioche range, will also return to shelves.

Due to the growing demand for hot cross buns this holiday season, Coles will donate 20 cents from every Coles brand hot cross bun sold to children's cancer charity, Redkite, until January 2.

"Our award-winning hot cross buns have long been a cherished part of our post-Christmas offering," said general manager of bakery, Kate Roff.

"And this year, we're proud to add an extra layer of sweetness through our partnership with Redkite, to support families affected by childhood cancer."

According to Coles Victoria is the biggest consumer of hot cross buns, followed by Queensland and Western Australia.

The top five suburbs across the country that go crazy for the sweet buns include; Dunsborough, WA; Cowes, Victoria; Rosebud, WA Traralgon, Victoria; Waurn Ponds, Victoria and Taylors Hill, Victoria.