If you have ever wanted to fill your kitchen with the warm, comforting aroma of spices and fresh-baked bread, this Hot Cross Buns Recipe is your perfect new favorite. These classic British buns are soft, lightly spiced, packed with juicy raisins or currants, and topped with the iconic cross that makes them instantly recognizable and perfect for any cozy breakfast or afternoon tea. Whether you’re celebrating a traditional occasion or simply craving a delicious homemade treat, this recipe brings the joy of bakery-quality hot cross buns right into your own home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Hot Cross Buns Recipe lies in its simple, carefully chosen ingredients. Each one plays a vital role, from enriching the dough’s flavor and texture to creating that perfect golden color and signature spiced aroma. Get ready to gather everyday pantry staples that will transform into something magical.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and tenderness you want in a soft, fluffy bun.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness to balance the spices perfectly.
- Active dry yeast: Essential for the dough to rise and develop that lovely airy texture.
- Ground cinnamon: Gives warmth and a comforting depth to every bite.
- Ground allspice: Adds a subtle, aromatic complexity to the flavor profile.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Warm milk: Activates the yeast and makes the dough soft and pliable.
- Unsalted butter: Melted to add richness and moisture throughout.
- Eggs: Help bind the dough and give a beautiful golden color.
- Raisins or currants: Sweet bursts of fruit that are traditional and delicious.
- Vanilla extract: Brings a subtle, fragrant sweetness that complements the spices.
- Flour and water for the cross: Creates the classic defining cross on top of each bun.
- Powdered sugar and milk for the glaze: A shiny, sweet finish that makes these buns irresistible.
How to Make Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Start by combining one cup of flour with sugar, active dry yeast, cinnamon, allspice, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually work in the remaining flour to create a soft dough that’s slightly sticky but manageable. This base is where the magic begins, setting up the perfect texture and flavor for your buns.
Step 2: Kneading and First Rise
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 to 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. This kneading is crucial for developing gluten, which gives your buns structure and that tender chew. Transfer your dough to a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until doubled in size. Watching the dough grow is one of the most satisfying parts of baking bread.
Step 3: Adding Fruit and Shaping
After the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release air bubbles, then knead in the raisins or currants evenly. Divide your dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each into a smooth ball. These will become your beautiful buns. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or in a greased baking pan, spacing them evenly to allow room for the second rise. Cover and let them rise once more for 30 to 45 minutes.
Step 4: Creating the Cross and Baking
While preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C), mix the flour and water for the cross into a thick paste. Transfer this mixture to a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off, and carefully pipe a cross over each bun. This iconic mark is what transforms ordinary buns into hot cross buns! Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until golden and wonderfully fragrant.
Step 5: Glazing
Once your buns are out of the oven and still warm, whisk together powdered sugar with a splash of milk to create a smooth glaze. Brush it generously over each bun, giving them a beautiful shine and a touch of sweetness that makes them simply irresistible. Let the glaze set slightly before diving in.
How to Serve Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Garnishes
These buns are delightful on their own, but why not elevate them with a pat of butter or a drizzle of honey right after warming? For a special touch, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top of the glaze or add some toasted nuts on the side to contrast the soft texture.
Side Dishes
Hot Cross Buns taste incredible paired with a warm cup of tea or coffee, making for a perfect cozy breakfast or snack. If you’re having them as part of a brunch, complement them with fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream. For savory balance, soft cheeses like cream cheese or mascarpone work beautifully alongside these sweet, spicy buns.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing hot cross buns in half and toasting them lightly before spreading jam or cream cheese. For a fun twist, transform leftover buns into a bread pudding or French toast, bringing that signature flavor to a whole new dish. These buns also make charming mini sandwiches with ham and mustard for an unexpected but delicious treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any hot cross buns left over (which might be rare!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days to maintain softness. Avoid refrigeration as it can dry out the buns quickly. Wrapping them in plastic wrap before placing in the container helps retain moisture.
Freezing
Hot Cross Buns freeze beautifully and keep their flavor intact. Place cooled buns in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to two months. When you want a treat on hand, simply thaw overnight at room temperature or gently reheat frozen buns.
Reheating
To revive frozen or day-old buns, wrap them loosely in foil and warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, microwave with a damp paper towel for 15-20 seconds for a quick softening. Reapply glaze or butter after warming for the best experience.
FAQs
Can I use dried apricots instead of raisins in this Hot Cross Buns Recipe?
Absolutely! Dried apricots, cranberries, or other dried fruits can be swapped in easily. They each bring a unique twist of flavor and texture that keeps the buns delicious while letting you customize the recipe to your liking.
How long do hot cross buns stay fresh?
Freshly baked hot cross buns are best eaten within 1-2 days at room temperature. Beyond that, they can begin to dry out unless stored properly in an airtight container or frozen for longer preservation.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute the milk with plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, replace butter with a vegan margarine or coconut oil, and use flaxseed or chia seed egg replacer instead of eggs. The texture may change slightly but will still be delightful.
Is it possible to make the dough in a stand mixer?
Yes, using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook can save time and effort. Mix your wet and dry ingredients on low speed and then knead with the hook for about 6-8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
What makes this Hot Cross Buns Recipe special compared to store-bought?
Making these buns from scratch lets you enjoy fresher, more flavorful bread with the perfect balance of spices and fruit. You control the sweetness and texture, and there’s a special satisfaction in sharing warm homemade buns filled with love.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly heartwarming about baking hot cross buns yourself, following this delightful Hot Cross Buns Recipe that guides you step by step to tender, spiced, fruit-studded buns topped with the traditional cross. Sharing these buns fresh from your oven will brighten any morning and create cozy memories around your table. Give this recipe a try—you’ll be amazed at how wonderfully simple and rewarding it is to create such a classic treat in your own kitchen.
Print
Hot Cross Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 12 buns 1x
- Category: Bread, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This classic Hot Cross Buns recipe delivers soft, spiced, and slightly sweet buns studded with juicy raisins or currants, perfect for Easter or any cozy breakfast. With a signature flour cross on top and a glossy sweet glaze, these British treats combine warming spices like cinnamon and allspice, enriched with butter, eggs, and vanilla for a tender crumb.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup raisins or currants
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cross
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 5 tablespoons water
For the Glaze
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- Prepare the dough mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, sugar, yeast, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and salt. Stir in warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Form the dough: Gradually add the remaining flour, mixing continuously, until a soft dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Add raisins and shape buns: Once risen, punch down the dough gently, knead in the raisins or currants evenly. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape each into a smooth ball.
- Second rise: Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet or greased 9×13-inch baking pan, spacing them evenly. Cover and let them rise again for 30–45 minutes until puffy.
- Prepare the crosses: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix 1/2 cup flour and 5 tablespoons water to create a thick paste. Transfer this paste to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner cut off.
- Pipe the crosses: Pipe a cross shape over the top of each bun carefully, creating the traditional Hot Cross Bun look.
- Bake: Bake the buns for 20–22 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make and apply glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with milk until smooth to form the glaze. Brush this over the warm buns as soon as they come out of the oven for a shiny, sweet finish.
- Cool and serve: Allow the buns to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a softer texture, replace half of the all-purpose flour with bread flour.
- Raisins can be substituted with dried apricots, cranberries, or omitted according to preference.
- Ensure milk is warmed to about 110°F to activate yeast properly without killing it.
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
