Hot Cross Buns
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Posted: 03/28/24
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There’s nothing like a warm, fragrant, fluffy pan of Hot Cross Buns for Easter! They start with a spiced yeast dough with raisins and are baked until they are golden brown. Top them with icing in the sign of a cross. They are traditionally served on Good Friday as a treat.
For Easter, it’s always special to make a batch of homemade hot cross buns. Of course, you can buy them already made, but making your own is so much better. They are not complicated to make and just take time. I think you’ll find they are worth the effort!
Before Lent, it’s fun to make a king cake, so it only makes sense to signify the end of Lent with homemade hot cross buns! Serve them for brunch with my easy baked omelette and breakfast potatoes for a delicious Easter celebration.
Why You’ll Love this Hot Cross Buns Recipe
- This is a simple recipe, and you don’t need a ton of ingredients to make it.
- I’m sharing my best tips for working with yeast, so your hot cross buns turn out light and fluffy.
- This is a tried and true hot cross bun recipe you will want to make every year!
Ingredients for Hot Cross Buns
- Dry active yeast – This is what will make for the most fluffy and soft hot cross buns.
- Warm milk – You’ll want the milk to be anywhere from 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Granulated sugar – Sweeten these soft cinnamon roll flavored buns with some simple white sugar.
- All-purpose flour – Some people use bread flour in their recipes, but I prefer the texture of how the buns come out with all purpose flour.
- Ground cinnamon – Flavor the hot cross buns with the wonderful warming flavor of hot cross buns.
- Ground allspice – Allspice is another one of those warming spices that just makes this recipe so cozy and comforting.
- Salt – Salt helps to develop gluten but will also balance out the sweetness of hot cross buns.
- Softened unsalted butter – I recommend using unsalted butter so that you can easily control the salt level of the recipe.
- Eggs – Allow the eggs to come to room temperature so that they more easily mix in with the other ingredients.
- Raisins – These will need to be soaked in hot water and drained before use.
Products Needed
How to Make Hot Cross Buns
It’s actually really easy to learn how to make hot cross buns! Follow these step by step instructions and you’ll be baking like a pro:
Activate the Yeast
The first step is to activate the yeast by combining it with the warm milk and sugar in a small bowl. Leave it for five minutes or until it’s foamy.
Make the Dough
Whisk flour, cinnamon, allspice, and salt in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle. Make a well in the center and place the activated yeast, butter, and eggs in it.
Mix until well combined, and then add the raisins and mix until they are evenly distributed in the dough.
Replace the paddle attachment with the dough hook and knead the dough until it’s no longer sticky.
Form the dough into a ball and place it back in the bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and leave it to rise until it’s doubled in size.
Form the Rolls
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and then divide it into rolls.
Grease the baking pan with butter and place the rolls in it. You should have 14 to 16 rolls.
Cover the rolls and let them rise until they’ve doubled in size.
Bake the Hot Cross Buns
Once they’ve puffed up, you can use a knife to create a cross pattern on the top of each. This is optional.
In a small bowl, whisk egg and milk until combined. Brush the glaze over the top of the rolls.
Bake the rolls for 20 to 25 minutes at 375°F or until they are lightly golden on top. Cool them in the pan for a few minutes and then move them to a baking rack to cool completely.
These are just like the ones my grandma made when I was younger! So excited to share this recipe with my family!
Pipe the Glaze
In a small bowl, whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth. The glaze should be thick enough to pipe.
Pipe the icing onto each roll in the shape of a cross. Store the hot cross buns in an airtight container.
How to Store Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns will keep in an airtight container for two to three days. I wouldn’t make them more than a day in advance – that way they’re really fresh when you serve them.
What is the best way to serve hot cross buns?
Serve these little sweet rolls warm and with plenty of butter! They also go wonderfully with jams and marmalades! Perfect for a simple sweet treat or a snack.
What is the significance of hot cross buns?
There are a few different views as to what hot cross buns represent, but we personally make these sweet rolls signify the end of lent. The cross is meant to honor Good Friday. They are something that we look forward to making together every year!
What do hot cross buns taste like?
These soft and fluffy rolls are almost like a cinnamon spice brioche bun. The raisins add texture and a bit of extra sweetness to the buns. You can also change up their flavor with ingredients like orange zest, cranberries, currants, chocolate and caramel.
Pro Tips for Hot Cross Buns
- Before you make the rolls, double-check the expiration date for the yeast. If it’s expired, toss it and use a new packet. Also, be sure to use warm milk between 105 to 110°F – if it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast. If it’s too cold, it might not activate.
- You don’t need a stand mixer! It is a lot easier to make and knead the dough with a mixer, but you can mix the dough with a spoon and knead it by hand. It will just take longer.
- Make sure to thoroughly clean your work surface before turning out the dough and working with it.
If you’re looking for a special recipe to make for Easter, these hot cross buns won’t disappoint! Everyone will love these soft homemade sweet rolls.
More Easter Recipes You’ll Love!
- Serve my Honey Baked Ham this year, and it will be the star of the show! It has the best honey glaze – pair it with my Best Mashed Potatoes!
- Make a batch of Deviled Eggs with all the colorful eggs you have leftover after dying them. This a classic recipe that’s always a hit.
- Bunny Bait is a super easy treat that is always a hit with the kiddos!
- Every good meal needs a good Dinner Roll and these are just wonderful!
Love this recipe? Be sure and comment below and leave a 5-star rating! I know you’ll love it as much as we do!
And if you’re like me and snap photos be sure to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your yummy treat!!!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Hot Cross Buns
Tender, soft Hot Cross Buns with a spiced dough with raisins are a traditional Easter recipe.
Ingredients
Buns
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- ¾ c. warm milk about 105-110 degrees F
- ¼ c. granulated sugar
- 3-3 ½ c. all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ c. unsalted butter softened
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 c. raisins plumped in hot water and drained
Glaze
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp milk
- Icing
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 4-5 teaspoons milk
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add milk and sugar, sprinkle yeast over the top of mixture. Let set until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups flour, cinnamon, allspice and salt.
- Then create a well in the center of flour mixture. Add yeast mixture, butter and eggs.
- Mix together using a stand mixer or wooden spoon until well combined.
- Stir in plumped raisins until well incorporated.
- Turn dough onto floured surface to knead or use the dough hook on stand mixer to knead the dough.
- Add more flour if it is sticky a little at a time. Form a ball and place back into mixing bowl.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in warm area to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Coat 13×9 inch baking dish with butter.
- Punch down dough and turn onto floured surface. Then divide dough evenly and shape into balls, about 14-16 dough balls.
- Place balls on baking sheet, cover with towel and let rise until doubled, about 30-45 minutes
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Optional: score the top of the rolls using a knife with a cross pattern
- In a small bowl, whisk together glaze ingredients until smooth then brush over the top of the buns.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees F or until lightly browned.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly, transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ingredients for icing, it should be thin enough to pipe onto buns easily but not too thin.
- Transfer to plastic bag and snip off the corner of the bag. Pipe a cross onto each bun. Allow icing to set to firm up.
- Store in airtight container
Tips
Yeast Tips: Before you make the rolls, double-check the expiration date for the yeast. If it’s expired, toss it and use a new packet. Also, be sure to use warm milk between 105 to 110°F – if it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast. If it’s too cold, it might not activate.
You don’t need a stand mixer! It is a lot easier to make and knead the dough with a mixer, but you can mix the dough with a spoon and knead it by hand. It will just take longer.
Storage Tip: Hot cross buns will keep in an airtight container for two to three days. I wouldn’t’ make them more than a day in advance – that way they’re really fresh when you serve them
Nutrition Information
Calories: 361kcal (18%), Carbohydrates: 71g (24%), Protein: 8g (16%), Fat: 5g (8%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 43mg (14%), Sodium: 180mg (8%), Potassium: 227mg (6%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 17g (19%), Vitamin A: 170IU (3%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 37mg (4%), Iron: 3mg (17%)
Stephanie says
Yum! Really delicious. I subbed the raisins for craisins and loved the flavor. Thanks.
Michelle Sperr says
What a great idea to substitute! Thanks for sharing.
Beth says
These are just like the ones my grandma made when I was younger! So excited to share this recipe with my family!
Michelle Sperr says
Hope you all enjoy these!