This Hot Cross Buns Recipe brings the spirit of a cherished British tradition right into your kitchen. Soft, spiced, and gently sweetened, these buns are speckled with currants and topped with their iconic flour paste cross and glistening apricot glaze. Whether for Easter or any day you’re craving a comfort bake, this recipe transforms simple pantry staples into something truly magical—warm, inviting, and absolutely irresistible with a pat of butter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t need an endless shopping list for this Hot Cross Buns Recipe! Most of these ingredients are probably in your pantry already, and each one plays a crucial role, from the spice of cinnamon to the sweet shine of apricot jam. Here’s what brings the buns to life, plus a tip or insight for each item.
- Warm whole milk: Activates the yeast and gives the buns a tender crumb—make sure it’s just warm, not hot!
- Active dry yeast: Classic leavening that puffs up the dough and gives the buns their delightful rise.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough just enough and helps the yeast work its magic.
- All-purpose flour: The essential backbone for structure and softness—you’ll use this both in the dough and for the cross.
- Ground cinnamon: Offers that cozy, spicy aroma every bun lover expects.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds an earthy edge that’s subtle but so necessary for depth of flavor.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and wakes up all the other flavors.
- Ground allspice: Brings a peppery hint that helps make these buns truly special.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Richness in every bite—make sure it’s soft for easy mixing.
- Eggs: Bring structure and richness, creating a tender, soft bun.
- Dried currants or raisins: Each bite gets a juicy burst, and you can easily swap for dried cranberries or apricots.
- Vanilla extract: Lends warmth and a touch of floral sweetness that rounds everything out.
- Egg (beaten, for egg wash): For that beautifully golden, shiny crust on top.
- Additional all-purpose flour (for cross): Makes the distinctive cross—just mix with water for a simple paste.
- Water (for cross): Adjust to make a smooth, pipeable paste; don’t add too much at once!
- Apricot jam or honey (for glaze): The final shiny finish and a fruity hint that makes these buns irresistible.
How to Make Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of the granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until it turns foamy at the top. This step might look simple, but it’s crucial—if your yeast doesn’t foam, start over with fresh yeast! This guarantees your Hot Cross Buns Recipe will rise beautifully later on.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and allspice. Mixing your spices and dry ingredients first ensures even distribution, so every bun has that classic, cozy spiced flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Make the Dough
Add the softened butter, both eggs, the foamy yeast mixture, and the vanilla extract directly into the dry ingredient bowl. Mix everything together until it becomes a sticky dough. Don’t worry if it seems a bit messy—this stickiness is what gives the buns their signature softness!
Step 4: Knead with Love
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface or keep it in your stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Knead by hand for 8–10 minutes or in the mixer for 5–6 minutes. It should turn smooth and elastic, springing back gently when poked. At the very end, gently knead in your dried currants or raisins until just combined.
Step 5: First Rise
Pop your dough into a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest in a warm spot for about 1 to 1.5 hours, until doubled in size. Watching the dough grow is always a little bit magical—the secret moment when the Hot Cross Buns Recipe starts to come together.
Step 6: Shape the Buns
Punch down the risen dough to remove excess air, then divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and arrange them in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Space them close, but not crowded—they’ll puff up more during the next rise. Cover, and let them rest another 30–45 minutes.
Step 7: Add the Signature Cross
While the buns are having their second rise, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix the flour and water to make a smooth, pipeable paste and transfer it to a small piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped. Pipe a cross over each bun—don’t worry if it’s not perfect, homemade charm is part of the tradition!
Step 8: Do the Egg Wash
Brush your buns gently with the beaten egg; this gives them a gorgeous, glossy finish once baked. The egg wash also helps deepen the color and makes your Hot Cross Buns Recipe extra inviting out of the oven.
Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the tray into the hot oven and bake for 20–25 minutes. You’re looking for golden, pillowy buns that smell like the best bakery in town. If your kitchen isn’t filled with sweet, spiced aromas, you’re not done yet!
Step 10: Glaze While Warm
While the buns are still warm, slightly melt your apricot jam or honey until it’s thin and brush it over the tops for a beautiful shine. This step adds a subtle fruitiness and that bakery-worthy finish that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
How to Serve Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Garnishes
There’s nothing like the sparkle of a freshly glazed bun, but you can dress things up even more! Try a dusting of powdered sugar, a knob of salted butter, or a small spoonful of orange marmalade on the split buns. These tasty flourishes take your Hot Cross Buns Recipe to bakery showstopper territory.
Side Dishes
Pair your warm buns with a cup of black tea or fresh-brewed coffee for the ultimate breakfast or brunch. On holidays, serve them alongside soft cheeses, fresh fruit, or lightly scrambled eggs to round out a seasonal brunch spread. Trust me, they also taste heavenly as an afternoon snack with a dollop of whipped cream.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting, pile the buns high on a rustic wooden board, tuck some pastel eggs between them, or wrap them in a linen napkin-lined basket for ultimate coziness. For a playful twist, halve the buns and toast them lightly before serving with flavored butters—think honey butter, orange zest butter, or cinnamon-sugar butter. Your Hot Cross Buns Recipe will get all the “oohs” and “aahs.”
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers (if you have any!) keep best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep your Hot Cross Buns Recipe soft and fresh, cover them well with plastic wrap or foil to prevent them from drying out. The glaze helps, but buns will always be at their fluffiest on day one.
Freezing
Want to save some for later? Absolutely! Let the buns cool completely, then layer them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay delightful for up to three months. When a craving strikes, your Hot Cross Buns Recipe will always be close at hand.
Reheating
To enjoy that fresh-baked softness again, warm the buns individually in the microwave for about 15–20 seconds, or pop them in a low oven (300°F) for 5–7 minutes. Glazed buns do best with gentle heat so the sweetness stays glossy and the crumb stays tender.
FAQs
Can I make this Hot Cross Buns Recipe without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! This dough is wonderfully forgiving. Kneading by hand just takes a little more time, but you’ll get a real feel for the dough’s texture and elasticity as you work. It’s a bit of a workout, but so worth it!
What can I use instead of currants or raisins?
You can swap in dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or even a mix of both for color and flavor. Just aim for roughly the same amount (about 3/4 cup), so the texture of your Hot Cross Buns Recipe stays perfect.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the dough, shape the buns, and let them rise overnight in the fridge for their second rise. Just bring them back to room temperature before baking so you still get a lovely, fluffy result.
How do I get my crosses to look neat?
Mix your flour paste until smooth but thick—think toothpaste consistency—and use a piping bag or small zip-top bag for the cleanest lines. Don’t stress too much, though; a little wobble makes your Hot Cross Buns Recipe look charmingly homemade!
Is the glaze essential?
While the apricot or honey glaze isn’t strictly necessary, it adds that irresistible sweet shine and a hint of fruity flavor. If you don’t have either, a little simple syrup will work in a pinch to give your Hot Cross Buns Recipe the final touch.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope this Hot Cross Buns Recipe becomes a new favorite in your kitchen, whether you’re celebrating a special holiday or just craving something sweet and comforting. There’s real joy in baking these soft, spiced buns from scratch—share them with friends, family, or just treat yourself. Trust me, you’ll be wanting to make them on repeat!
Print
Hot Cross Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (including rise time)
- Yield: 12 buns
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make classic Hot Cross Buns at home with this easy recipe. These spiced, sweet buns studded with dried fruit and marked with a cross are perfect for Easter or any time of year!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup warm whole milk (about 110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup dried currants or raisins
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash
Flour Paste Cross:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 5–6 tablespoons water
Glaze:
- ¼ cup apricot jam or honey
Instructions
- In a small bowl, activate the yeast: Combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it rest until foamy, about 5–10 minutes.
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, mix flour, remaining sugar, spices, salt, butter, eggs, yeast mixture, and vanilla. Knead until a sticky dough forms. Add in dried fruit and knead briefly. Let rise until doubled in size, about 1–1.5 hours.
- Shape and bake: Divide dough, shape into balls, and place in a baking dish. Let rise again, then pipe flour paste crosses on top. Brush with egg wash and bake until golden. Glaze with warm apricot jam or honey.
Notes
- Hot Cross Buns are a traditional Good Friday treat but are delicious year-round.
- Feel free to customize by using dried cranberries or apricots instead of raisins.
- Best served warm with butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
