If you’re looking for a comforting, spiced treat to brighten up your mornings or celebrate special moments, this Hot Cross Buns Recipe is an absolute gem you’ll want to keep coming back to. Soft, fluffy buns studded with sweet currants or raisins and infused with warm spices create a heavenly aroma as they bake. The iconic cross icing on top adds just the right touch of sweetness and charm, making these buns perfect for sharing with family or friends, or simply enjoying alongside your favorite cup of tea or coffee. Let’s dive into the magic of baking these delightful Hot Cross Buns!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Hot Cross Buns Recipe relies on simple, everyday ingredients, each playing a vital role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and aroma. From the tender dough to the spicy warmth and sweet finishing glaze, every item is essential for that homemade bakery feel.
- Warm milk (1 ¼ cups): Activates the yeast and keeps the dough soft and moist.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Feeds the yeast and balances the spices with sweetness.
- Active dry yeast (2 teaspoons): Responsible for the dough’s rise and lightness.
- Unsalted butter, softened (½ cup): Adds richness and tenderness to the buns.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Ground cinnamon (2 teaspoons): Brings warm, cozy spice that is iconic in hot cross buns.
- Ground nutmeg (1 teaspoon): Complements the cinnamon with a subtle, nutty spice.
- Ground allspice (½ teaspoon, optional): Adds a hint of complexity and depth.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): The foundation of the dough, providing structure.
- Currants or raisins (1 cup): Natural sweetness and chewy texture throughout the buns.
- Large eggs (2): Help bind the ingredients and enrich the dough.
- Lemon zest (1 tablespoon, optional): Adds a fresh citrus note that brightens the flavor.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Lends a lovely aroma that pairs beautifully with the spices.
- Vegetable oil (1 tablespoon, for greasing): Prevents sticking and helps with smooth rising.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): For making the sweet icing crosses on top.
- Milk or water (1-2 teaspoons): Used in the icing for perfect consistency.
- Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon, for icing): Enhances sweetness and aroma in the final touch.
How to Make Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Begin by combining warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Stir gently and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. This step ensures your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic, giving your hot cross buns that perfect rise and softness.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice if you’re using it. Add the yeast mixture, softened butter, eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Mix everything to start forming a dough, then knead on a floured surface for about 5 to 7 minutes until the dough feels smooth and elastic. Fold in the currants or raisins evenly so every bun gets its share of juicy bursts of sweetness.
Step 3: First Rise
Lightly grease a large bowl with vegetable oil, place your dough inside, and cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size. This patient resting time is crucial—it helps develop flavor and creates that airy, tender texture we love.
Step 4: Shape the Buns
Once doubled, punch the dough down to gently release the air. Divide it into 12 equal pieces and roll each into a smooth bun. Arrange them snugly in a greased 9 by 13-inch baking dish but don’t let them touch quite yet; they will puff up during the next rise.
Step 5: Second Rise
Cover the baking dish again with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let the buns rise for another 30 to 45 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’ve puffed up and are starting to touch each other—this means they’re fluffy and ready to bake to golden perfection.
Step 6: Bake the Buns
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Bake the buns for 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops turn a luscious golden brown. A quick tap on the bottom of a bun should sound hollow, confirming they’re cooked all the way through.
Step 7: Make the Cross Icing
While your buns bake, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla into a smooth icing. When the buns come out of the oven and have cooled a bit, carefully pipe the icing in a neat cross pattern over each one. This finishing touch is what truly defines this classic hot cross buns recipe.
Step 8: Serve
Let your buns cool completely before serving, or if you can’t resist, enjoy them warm slathered with butter for a truly indulgent treat. Either way, they’re irresistible!
How to Serve Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Garnishes
While the iconic cross icing gives these buns their traditional look, you can also sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over the warm buns or brush them with softened butter and a dusting of nutmeg for extra warmth and shine.
Side Dishes
These buns are wonderfully versatile. Serve them alongside a hot cup of tea, coffee, or even a mildly spiced chai latte. They also pair beautifully with a smear of cream cheese or your favorite fruit preserves.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking the buns into a beautiful tiered display for festive occasions or slice them horizontally to create sweet, spiced sandwiches filled with mascarpone and fresh berries for a surprising twist on this classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap your leftover buns tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This helps maintain their soft texture and delightful flavor.
Freezing
If you want to stock up, freeze cooled buns individually wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the oven.
Reheating
To revive your buns, pop them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius) for about 5 to 10 minutes. This refreshes their soft, tender crumb and melts the butter perfectly if you choose to add some before serving.
FAQs
Can I use dried fruit other than currants or raisins?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap in chopped dried apricots, cherries, or cranberries. Just chop larger fruits into small pieces to ensure even distribution and a good bite in every bun.
Is the allspice necessary in this Hot Cross Buns Recipe?
Not at all. While allspice adds a lovely depth, it’s optional. If you don’t have it, the cinnamon and nutmeg alone provide a warm, comforting spice blend that’s perfectly delicious.
How important is the second rise?
The second rise might seem like extra waiting, but it’s critical. It lets the buns puff up, so they’re soft and pillow-like rather than dense. Skipping this step would affect both texture and appearance.
Can I make these buns dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the milk with a plant-based option and use a dairy-free butter alternative. The buns will still be incredibly tasty and tender.
How long do Hot Cross Buns keep fresh?
Freshly baked buns are best enjoyed within 2 days when stored at room temperature. Beyond that, they tend to dry out, so freezing any extra buns is a better option for longer storage.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about baking and sharing homemade hot cross buns, especially with a recipe as inviting and dependable as this one. Soft, spiced, and studded with juicy fruit, these buns bring warmth and joy to any table. I encourage you to give this Hot Cross Buns Recipe a try soon—you might just find your new go-to comfort bake that becomes a cherished tradition.
Print
Hot Cross Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 buns
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
Classic Hot Cross Buns made with warm milk, fragrant spices, and sweet currants or raisins, baked to golden perfection and topped with a signature cross of sweet icing. These spiced buns are soft, flavorful, and perfect for Easter or anytime you want a cozy, homemade treat.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups warm milk (110°F or 43°C)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup currants or raisins (or a mix of both)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for greasing)
Icing Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons milk or water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active and ready for use.
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional allspice. Add the activated yeast mixture, softened butter, eggs, optional lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until the dough starts to form, then transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Knead in the currants or raisins until evenly distributed.
- First Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with vegetable oil. Place the dough inside, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Buns: Once risen, punch down the dough to release the air. Divide into 12 equal portions and shape each into a bun. Arrange them closely but not touching in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Second Rise: Cover the dish again and allow the buns to rise for another 30-45 minutes, until puffed and touching.
- Bake the Buns: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top. Check doneness by tapping the bottom of a bun; it should sound hollow.
- Make the Cross Icing: While baking, mix powdered sugar with milk or water and vanilla extract until smooth. Once buns are slightly cooled, pipe the icing in a cross pattern on each bun.
- Serve: Allow buns to cool completely or enjoy warm with butter for a delicious treat.
Notes
- You can substitute currants with raisins or a mix depending on preference.
- Making the dough a day ahead and refrigerating overnight can enhance flavor development.
- For a vegan version, replace butter and eggs with suitable plant-based alternatives and use vegan milk.
- Ensure milk is not too hot when activating yeast, as temperatures above 120°F can kill yeast.
- The optional spices and lemon zest add complexity but can be adjusted or omitted according to taste.
