Description
Delicious Hot Cross Buns are a heavenly Easter tradition with perfectly spiced sweetness. This recipe features soft, fluffy dough studded with plump raisins and topped with the signature cross, making them ideal for holiday celebrations. Whether continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, these buns will become a seasonal favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups bread flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp mixed spice (or pumpkin pie spice)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
- 1 cup raisins or mixed dried fruit
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for crosses)
- 5 tbsp water (for crosses)
- 2 tbsp apricot jam (for glaze)
- 1 tbsp water (for glaze)
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk wet ingredients separately, then gradually mix into dry ingredients to form dough. Stir in raisins.
- Knead dough for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Let rise in a greased bowl for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
- Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal portions. Shape into balls and arrange on baking sheet. Let rise for 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix flour and water for crosses, pipe onto buns. Bake for 18-20 minutes until golden.
- Brush warm buns with apricot glaze (jam mixed with water) for shine and sweetness.
Notes
- Store cooled buns in airtight container for up to 3 days. Refresh by warming at 300°F for 5 minutes.
- Freeze individually wrapped buns for up to 3 months.
- For variations, try chocolate chips, dried apples, or cranberries instead of raisins.
- Ensure milk isn’t too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Measure flour by weight for most accurate results.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 245 Kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Hot Cross Buns, Easter recipe, spiced buns, holiday baking, homemade bread, traditional buns, raisin bread, festive baking