Hot Cross Buns

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These Hot Cross Buns are a soft, lightly spiced sweet bread that’s been an Easter tradition for generations. They’re perfect on Good Friday or any time you want a warm, nostalgic treat. The mix of spices, orange zest, and dried fruits gives them their signature flavor, and the option to add an apricot jam glaze is never a bad idea. Based off of my Easy Sandwich Bread Recipe, these rolls are soft, airy and unforgettable.

Ingredients Needed For Hot Cross Buns

Here’s what you’ll need for these homemade hot cross buns. Measurements are in the recipe card, but here’s the rundown:

• Active dry yeast + warm water + warm milk + honey – helps activate the active dry yeast. Aim for 107-110° F.
• All-purpose flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, salt
• Unsalted butter
• Raisins + navel orange zest 
• Milk 
• For the cross: a thick paste made from all-purpose flour and hot water
• Optional: melted apricot jam or orange marmalade for a shiny glaze

Variations

Swap and mix things up depending on what you have:

• Use instant yeast instead of active dry (just skip the proofing step)
• Add lemon peel or orange peel instead of zest
• Replace raisins with currants, sultanas, or mini chocolate chips
• Try chopped candied peel for a more traditional hot cross buns version
• Use a bread machine or stand mixer to knead the yeast dough if you’re short on time
• Skip the flour paste cross and do a simple powdered sugar icing instead

How to Make Hot Cross Buns

Whether you’ve been singing the nursery rhyme since childhood or it’s your first time baking them, this easy hot cross buns recipe will guide you through simple steps to get fluffy, golden brown buns with the classic cross piped right over the top of each bun.

For this Hot Cross Buns recipe, you’re going to need pantry staples and about 18 minutes of active prep time. The rest of this journey is spent proofing and baking; I also have overnight instructions below if you want to break this party up.

1. Make the Yeast Mixture

In a liquid measuring cup, stir together the warm water, warm milk, yeast, and honey. Set aside to proof, 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the top should look frothy and bubbly. This means your yeast is ALIVE!

2. Measure out Flour, Sugar + Spices

While yeast is proofing, measure out 3 cups of flour with cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, brown sugar, and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook. Stir to combine.

3. Add in Bloomed Yeast Mixture

Pour in the bloomed yeast and stir until it starts to become sticky. As it is stirring, pour in melted butter. Continue to ‘knead’, stirring in another 1-2 cups of flour, bit by bit, until the dough pulls away from the sides and when you touch it it’s tacky but won’t leave residue on your fingers. (Should take about 6 minutes.)

4. Rise

Place into a well-greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.

5. Add Raisins + Orange Zest, Form Rolls

Punch down dough, press into a large rectangle and fold in raisins and orange zest. Divide dough into 24 even balls (2 ounces each if you wanted to weigh) and place onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Cover gently with plastic wrap or a clean dish towel and rise another 45 minutes to 1 hour or until doubled in size. Remove plastic wrap and brush each roll with milk.

6. Preheat Oven + Add Crosses on Hot Cross Buns

You have two options for crossing your Hot Cross Buns. The first is the one I demonstrate in the photos and that is in the recipe card, a flour paste that you apply BEFORE baking.

Preheat oven to 350° F. For the paste, whisk flour and water together until a thick, pipeable paste comes together. Think slightly thicker than white school glue consistency. (You may need to add in more flour or water to get the right consistency.) Spoon into a piping bag or Zip top bag, snip the tip, and pipe crosses across all the rolls.

The other option is an icing cross you apply AFTER the buns are baked.

1. Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes or until the rolls are nice and brown.
2. Make a simple icing made from milk, powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla extract OR use the browned butter icing I made for my Simple Scones recipe. Either are great options!

8. Bake

Bake at 350° F for 20 minutes or until the rolls are nice and golden brown.

9. Add Glaze (Optional step)

To glaze rolls, melt apricot jam or orange marmalade in the microwave until its runny and brush over the tops. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Overnight Instructions

What is so perfect about this recipe is that it can be made ahead of time by letting the dough rise overnight! Here’s how to make Hot Cross Buns ahead of time:

Follow the directions all the way through until after you have shaped the dough into 24 even balls. At this point, cover the shaped buns tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 15 hours. The next day, at least 3 hours before you need them, remove the buns from the fridge. Keep them covered, and let them rise at room temperature for 1-2 hours before baking. Then brush with milk and proceed with the recipe instructions.

This technique allows you to break up the rising times and let the rest of the baking occur the next day. This is perfect if you want these rolls for breakfast or even during Easter lunch.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions For Hot Cross Buns

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Refresh in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm in a 300°F oven for a few minutes.

Can you make them ahead?
Absolutely. After the first rise and shaping into buns, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them come to room temp and do the second rise before baking.

Can you freeze hot cross buns?
Yes! Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp and warm before serving.

What to Serve With Hot Cross Buns

Grace your Easter Dinner table with these recipes, along with Hot Cross Buns!

• Baked Ham with this Brown Sugar Ham Glaze Recipe
• The Best Scalloped Potatoes
• Classic Deviled Eggs
• Oven Roasted Asparagus
• Banana Pudding Recipe
• Colorful Salad Recipe without Mayonnaise or Maple Glazed Carrots

Want more buns, hun? Check these recipes out: 

• Chewy Soft Cinnamon Rolls
• Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls
• Sweet Orange Rolls
• Buttery Monkey Bread

This is such a great recipe to bookmark for this time of year, especially if you’re looking to add a few more Easter recipes to your collection. Whether it’s your next time making them or the very first time, this hot cross bun recipe has you covered. The printable recipe card is below, enjoy and happy baking, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.