Hot Cross Buns Recipe – Soft, Spiced, and Perfectly Sweet

Hot Cross Buns are a classic spiced sweet bread that have been enjoyed for generations, especially around Easter. These soft and fluffy buns are enriched with warm milk, butter, and aromatic spices, then finished with the iconic cross on top. Traditionally, they’re filled with raisins or currants, giving each bite a burst of sweetness that balances perfectly with the lightly spiced dough.

Making Hot Cross Buns at home is simpler than it seems. With a few pantry staples and some rising time, you can create buns that are fresher, softer, and more flavorful than anything store-bought. Whether you serve them fresh out of the oven with butter or enjoy them lightly toasted the next day, these buns are a comforting treat that everyone will look forward to.

Why You’ll Love These Buns

• Soft and fluffy texture – The combination of warm milk and melted butter creates a tender crumb that stays moist.
• Balanced sweetness – Just the right amount of sugar and raisins ensures a pleasant sweetness without being overpowering.
• Spiced flavor – A blend of cinnamon and nutmeg gives the buns their signature aroma and taste.
• Traditional yet versatile – Perfect for Easter celebrations, brunch gatherings, or as an everyday homemade bread.
• Fresh and homemade – No preservatives, just wholesome ingredients baked in your kitchen.

Ingredients Needed

To make the best homemade Hot Cross Buns, you’ll need a mix of pantry staples and a few baking essentials. Each ingredient plays an important role in creating soft, flavorful buns with the traditional spiced taste.

Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour (4 cups): The base of the dough, providing structure and softness.
• Sugar (1/4 cup): Adds a touch of sweetness and helps activate the yeast.
• Salt (1 tsp): Balances flavor and strengthens the dough.
• Ground cinnamon (1 tsp): Brings a warm, aromatic spice.
• Ground nutmeg (1/2 tsp): Adds depth and enhances the overall flavor.

Yeast

• Active dry yeast (1 tbsp): Essential for rising. It creates light and fluffy buns when activated properly with warm milk and sugar.

Wet Ingredients

• Warm milk (1 1/4 cups, about 110°F / 43°C): Provides moisture and activates the yeast. Warm milk ensures the dough rises well.
• Unsalted butter (1/4 cup, melted): Enriches the dough, making it soft and tender.
• Egg (1 large): Adds richness and helps bind the dough.

Add-ins

• Raisins (1 cup): A traditional filling that adds bursts of sweetness. Currants or dried cranberries can be used as alternatives.

For the Cross

• All-purpose flour (1/2 cup): Used to create the paste for piping the iconic cross on top of each bun.
• Water (5–6 tbsp): Combined with flour to form a smooth, pipeable paste.

For the Glaze (Optional but Recommended)

• Apricot jam or honey (1/4 cup, warmed): Brushed on after baking to give the buns a glossy finish and a hint of extra sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully to achieve perfectly soft and golden Hot Cross Buns:

1. Activate the Yeast

• In a small bowl, combine warm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar.
• Stir and let sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is active.

2. Mix the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, remaining sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
• Add the melted butter, beaten egg, and activated yeast mixture.
• Stir until the dough comes together.

3. Knead the Dough

• Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface.
• Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough feels sticky, sprinkle lightly with flour, but avoid adding too much.
• Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

4. Add the Raisins

• Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air.
• Knead in the raisins until evenly distributed.

5. Shape the Buns

• Divide the dough into 12 equal portions.
• Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Leave a little space between each bun.
• Cover and let rise again for 30–40 minutes until puffy.

6. Prepare and Pipe the Cross

• Mix flour and water into a thick paste.
• Transfer the paste into a piping bag or small zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.
• Pipe a cross over the top of each bun.

7. Bake

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Bake the buns for 18–20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

8. Glaze the Buns

• While still warm, brush each bun with apricot jam or honey for a shiny finish.
• Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• Substitute raisins with dried cranberries, currants, or chopped apricots.
• For best texture, don’t skip the second rise.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.