These delightful Hot Cross Buns are a perfect blend of sweet, spiced dough studded with currants and finished with that iconic white cross on top. Soft, fluffy, and aromatic, these traditional treats bring warmth to any breakfast table or afternoon tea. The best part? Despite their impressive appearance, they’re surprisingly straightforward to make at home with just a little patience for the rising time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Homemade Goodness: Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked buns wafting through your home – it’s pure comfort in scent form!
  • Impressive Results: These buns look like they came from a professional bakery, but you’ll know the secret that they’re actually quite simple to make.
  • Customizable: Once you master the basic recipe, you can play with different dried fruits and spice combinations to make them uniquely yours.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for holiday mornings when you want something special without the last-minute rush.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Active Dry Yeast: The magic ingredient that makes your dough rise and creates that perfect fluffy texture. Make sure it’s fresh for best results!
  • Whole Milk: Provides richness and creates a tender crumb in your buns. The fat content matters here for the perfect texture.
  • Sugar: Not just for sweetness – it feeds the yeast and helps create that beautiful golden color when baked.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our buns – no need for fancy bread flour here, regular AP flour works beautifully.
  • Spices (Cinnamon, Allspice, Nutmeg): This trio creates that distinctive warm, aromatic flavor that makes hot cross buns so irresistible.
  • Salt: Enhances all the flavors and controls yeast activity – don’t skip this!
  • Eggs: Adds richness, color, and helps with structure. Room temperature eggs incorporate much better into your dough.
  • Butter: Creates tenderness and adds flavor. Make sure it’s properly softened so it incorporates evenly.
  • Currants: These tiny dried fruits add bursts of sweetness and that traditional texture. They’re smaller than raisins and distribute more evenly.
  • Orange Zest: Brings a bright, citrusy note that balances the rich spices perfectly.
  • Powdered Sugar: Forms the base of our simple white cross decoration.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to make these buns your own? Here are some delicious variations to try:

  • Fruit Swap: Replace currants with golden raisins, dried cranberries, or a mix of your favorite dried fruits.
  • Chocolate Chip: Add mini chocolate chips instead of currants for a modern twist kids will love.
  • Extra Spice: Add a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the spice mix for additional complexity.
  • Soaked Fruit: For extra plump, juicy fruit pieces, soak your currants in orange juice or rum for 30 minutes before adding to the dough.
  • Glaze Options: Brush with honey or apricot jam instead of the egg wash for a glossier, sweeter finish.

How to Make Hot Cross Buns

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Combine ¼ cup warm milk, 1 teaspoon sugar, and the yeast in a small bowl. Let it sit until foamy and active, about 5-10 minutes. This step confirms your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!

Step 2: Mix the Dough

In a large bowl, combine 3 cups flour with the remaining dry ingredients. Add your eggs, softened butter, remaining milk, and the activated yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Fold in the currants and orange zest, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.

Step 3: Knead and First Rise

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 7-8 minutes, adding small amounts of flour as needed. You want the dough to be slightly tacky but not sticking to your hands. Place the dough in a covered bowl and let rise until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Step 4: Shape and Second Rise

Gently press down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Divide the dough into 16 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball. Place them on a greased baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each bun. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise again for 30-40 minutes until puffy.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Brush each bun with the egg-milk glaze for that beautiful shine. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the buns sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

Step 6: Cool and Decorate

Allow the buns to cool completely on a wire rack. Mix the powdered sugar and milk to create a thick frosting. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off, and pipe a cross on top of each bun.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

  • Temperature Matters: Ensure your milk is warm (not hot) and your eggs are at room temperature for the best dough development.
  • Kneading Technique: Don’t over-flour your dough during kneading. A slightly tacky dough will yield softer buns than a dry, stiff dough.
  • Rising Environment: For optimal rising, place your covered dough in a warm, draft-free spot. Near (not on) a warm oven or in an oven with just the light on works well.
  • Evenly Sized Buns: Use a kitchen scale to divide your dough into perfectly equal portions for professional-looking results.
  • Frosting Consistency: The frosting should be thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to pipe smoothly. Adjust with tiny amounts of milk or powdered sugar as needed.

How to Serve

Hot cross buns are versatile treats that can be enjoyed in several ways:

Traditional Serving

Split and toast the buns lightly, then spread with good quality butter for a simple, traditional treat.

Breakfast Option

Serve alongside eggs and bacon for a special holiday breakfast.

Tea Time

Pair with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon break.

Dessert Transformation

Split, toast, and top with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel for an unexpected dessert.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Freezing

These buns freeze beautifully! Place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating

For that fresh-baked taste, wrap buns in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes. For a quick option, microwave individual buns for 15-20 seconds.

Note: For best results, freeze the buns without frosting and add the crosses after thawing and reheating.

FAQs

  1. Can I make the dough the night before and bake in the morning?

    Absolutely! After shaping the buns, cover the baking sheet tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. This slow rise actually develops more flavor in your buns.

  2. Why aren’t my buns rising properly?

    There are a few common culprits: your yeast might be old, the milk might have been too hot (killing the yeast), or the room might be too cold. Make sure to use fresh yeast, keep milk just warm to the touch, and find a warm spot for rising.

  3. Can I make these without the dried fruit?

    Yes! You can omit the currants entirely for plain buns, or replace them with chocolate chips, nuts, or candied citrus peel depending on your preference.

  4. What’s the difference between hot cross buns and regular sweet rolls?

    Hot cross buns are specifically spiced with warm baking spices, contain dried fruit, and feature the distinctive white cross on top. They’re traditionally associated with Easter and spring celebrations, though they’re delicious any time of year!

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about pulling a tray of homemade Hot Cross Buns from the oven. The spiced aroma, the gleaming tops, and those signature white crosses make these treats both beautiful and delicious. Whether you’re honoring tradition or simply craving something warm and comforting, these buns deliver satisfaction in every bite. Give this recipe a try – I promise the process is as rewarding as the results!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
  • Author: Jasmine
  • Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
  • Yield: 16 buns 1x
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Soft and fluffy spiced buns filled with currants and orange zest, topped with a sweet frosting cross. Perfect for Easter or any special occasion.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Buns:

      • 1 (1/4 oz package) active dry yeast
      • 3/4 cup whole milk, warm
      • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
      • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
      • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
      • 1 tsp kosher salt
      • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
      • 2 large eggs, room temperature
      • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
      • 3/4 cup currants
      • Zest of 1 medium orange

For the Frosting:

      • 2 tsp whole milk
      • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

For the Glaze:

    • 1 large egg
    • 1 tbsp whole milk

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, stir together ¼ cup of warm milk, 1 tsp of sugar, and the packet of yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of flour with the remainder of the dry ingredients.
  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add eggs, softened butter, and the remaining milk to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon to form a wet, sticky dough. Mix in the currants and orange zest.
  4. Knead the dough: Knead the dough, adding small amounts of flour as needed, until it is still slightly tacky but does not stick to your hands. Knead for about 7-8 minutes.
  5. First rise: Cover the bowl of dough with plastic wrap and let it sit at room temperature to rise and double in size, about 2 hours.
  6. Shape the buns: Gently compress the dough and divide it in half, keeping one half covered in the bowl while you work with the other. Divide each half into 8 small portions and roll into balls. Place each ball on a greased baking sheet about an inch apart. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise again for 30-40 minutes at room temperature.
  7. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
  8. Prepare the glaze: While the oven preheats, whisk together the milk and egg for the glaze. Using a pastry brush, coat each bun with the glaze.
  9. Bake: Bake the buns for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
  10. Make the frosting: Whisk together the milk and powdered sugar until smooth.
  11. Frost the buns: Using a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with a corner cut), pipe a cross of frosting onto each bun.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can soak the currants in orange juice or water before adding them to the dough.
  • If you don’t have a piping bag, a plastic bag with the tip snipped works just as well for the frosting.
  • Make sure to let the buns cool completely before adding the frosting to prevent it from melting.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bun
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Avatar photo

Hey there, I’m Jasmine Miller, the foodie behind JmRecipes.com! I’m on a mission to make cooking COOOL and GOOOOD for everyone, sharing easy, fun, and totally scrumptious recipes, so grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star