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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Declan Milton

The best hot cross bun in Canberra? Sonoma thinks so

Pastry chef Matteo Sassi, and ACT Site manager Stefan Pischke at Sonoma Bakery in Braddon with their 'Not Cross Buns' for Easter. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Saying you're the best at something is a big claim, so you need to make sure the proof is in the pudding... or the hot cross bun.

Stefan Pischke certainly thinks his bakery Sonoma can claim the best hot Easter treat in the capital.

As site manager of the Braddon bakery, Mr Pischke is intimately involved in the process of making their renowned and wildly popular "Not Cross Buns".

Having sold 16,000 buns in just two weeks, Sonoma is within an arms' reach of smashing last year's target of 20,000. Mr Pischke is adamant they will have surpassed the target come Good Friday.

To prepare for the chaotic queues which will endure over the Easter weekend, Sonoma will open its doors at 6:30 every morning, with pop-up counters at the front of the store for the buns.

Queues at Sonoma Bakery in Braddon as their 'Not Cross Buns' continue to be a popular pick coming into Easter. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

Propelled by the brand name that comes with having nine established bakeries in Sydney, Mr Pischke said it was a combination of the recognition and making quality products that Canberrans loved. The well-known Sydney bakery chain opened its Canberra branch three years ago.

The complicated recipe for this in-demand snack has taken years to perfect.

"Each year we get customers to give feedback and then we tweak the recipe, but now we think it's perfection", Mr Pischke said.

The dough requires a minimum of 24 hours to soak, followed by mixing a carefully selected assortment of spices and fruits. The batches of fruit or dark chocolate are pre-shaped, pressed and machine cut before the baking process begins. As a final touch an 'S' is iced onto the bun - a trademark which seperates Sonoma's buns from the crowd.

Homemade dark chocolate 'Not Cross Buns' at Sonoma Bakery in Braddon for Easter. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos

It's a two-day process, and the buns are sold fresh on the day they are finished.

Mr Pischke said it was a misconception that buns were pre-made and imported from their flagship bakeries in Sydney.

"Everything in store has come from here. It's all fresh" he said.

But wanting to stay the best in the business came with its demands, according to Mr Pischke.

"Personally, as site manager it's always a challenge - especially managing all the deliveries. I get headaches on how to fit everything in".

Easter is no doubt the busiest time of the year for Sonoma, he said.

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