Traditional Hot Cross Buns Recipe (An Easter Favorite)

This traditional hot cross buns recipe makes a good base for tons of variations. You can add almost anything to make it your own: raisins or other fruits, different nuts, another icing, or sugar or jam instead of the butter glaze. One of my favorites is to add some chocolate chips. I also love making them more savory with a mixture of cottage and cream cheese in the middle. I think the only thing the remains the same is the X (cross) marking on the top, which represents the cross of Jesus.

What I Love About This Traditional Hot Cross Buns Recipe

With a few basic ingredients, you can have these delicious hot cross buns for your Easter dinner, along with these beautiful Easter party foods. Or try them at Thanksgiving, or just the plain Sunday dinner table. The wee bit of icing on them gives a nice sugar (and cream cheese) flavor. They are fabulous with a little bit of butter, some gravy, or jam. Or some cream cheese!

The best part of this recipe is that these buns are super easy to make, too. Mix the bun ingredients, form some little buns, let double in size, then pop in the oven. The magic is when you make the X. X def marks the spot here.

Want some more Easter recipes? Try out some of these adorable Easter foods.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Whisk
• Two 9×13 inch baking pans
• Sharp knife
• Pastry brush
• Wire cooling rack
• Small bowls (for glaze and icing)
• Piping bag or zip-top bag (for icing)

Traditional Variations of Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns, a staple during Easter and the Lent season, come in various traditional forms that incorporate different ingredients and toppings to suit diverse palates. Here are some traditional variations that might interest you:

1. Candied Fruit Hot Cross Buns: Incorporate diced candied orange and lemon peel into your dough for a sweet and tangy flavor. This addition brings a delightful chewiness and bursts of citrus that elevate the traditional recipe. Soaking the candied fruit in hot tea or apple juice before adding it to the dough can enhance the flavors even more​​.

   

2. Flour Cross: Instead of the traditional icing cross, some recipes suggest making a paste from flour and water to create the cross on the buns before baking. This method gives a more subtle decoration that blends with the bun’s crust, offering a slight textural contrast without the sweetness of icing​​.
3. Orange Icing: For a twist on the classic icing, using fresh or bottled orange juice mixed with confectioners’ sugar can add a refreshing citrus note to the buns. This variation pairs particularly well with buns that include spices or candied peel, complementing the overall flavor profile​​.
4. Icing Variations: Traditional hot cross buns sometimes feature different icing options for the cross, including a simple mix of confectioners’ sugar and milk. Adjusting the thickness of the icing allows for either a drizzled effect or a more pronounced cross atop each bun​​.
5. Spice Mixes: Adding spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice to the dough imparts a warm, aromatic flavor that is quintessential to hot cross buns. Experimenting with the spice mix can tailor the buns to your flavor preferences​​.
6. Glazing Options: After baking, hot cross buns can be glazed with various mixtures, such as a simple sugar and water glaze, golden syrup, or melted apricot jam. Each option offers a different level of sweetness and shine, adding to the buns’ appeal​​.

Pairing Suggestions

• Try some butter, jam, or cream cheese.
• Or some hot tea or coffee (like Hazelnut Mocha Coffee).
• Maybe eat with a One-Pan Healthy Breakfast Scramble.
• And of course, with The Best Easter Ham!

FAQs

1. How can I store leftover hot cross buns? Leftover hot cross buns can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 1-2 days or refrigerated for up to a week to maintain freshness. For extended storage, freeze them without the icing for up to three months, and then thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving​​.
2. Can I make these buns gluten-free? To make gluten-free hot cross buns, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for bread. It’s crucial to find a blend that works well with yeast-based recipes to ensure the buns rise properly and have a good texture​​.
3. Is there a dairy-free version? Yes, for dairy-free hot cross buns, simply use dairy-free milk alternatives and butter substitutes. There are many dairy-free buttery spreads and milk alternatives available that work well in baking, providing the moisture and fat needed for delicious buns​​.
4. What are some suggested pairings with hot cross buns? Hot cross buns are versatile and pair well with a cup of tea or coffee for a comforting snack. They’re also great served with fresh fruit for breakfast or brunch, providing a balanced and flavorful meal.
5. Can I add or substitute ingredients for the fruit or nuts? Yes, the recipe is adaptable to include various dried fruits like cranberries or even chocolate chips for a sweet twist. Feel free to adjust the add-ins based on personal preference or what you have on hand​​.
6. How do I know when the dough has risen enough? The dough is ready when it has doubled in size. A good test is to gently poke the dough with your finger; if the indentation remains, it’s time to proceed with the next step of the recipe.
7. Can hot cross buns be frozen? Absolutely, both shaped and uncooked buns can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw and let them rise before baking. Fully baked buns can also be frozen and then thawed at room temperature when ready to enjoy​​.
8. What if I don’t have a stand mixer? Mixing the dough by hand is a viable option. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to combine the ingredients. Although it might take a bit more effort, it will result in a dough that’s ready for rising and shaping​​.
9. How can I make vegan hot cross buns? To create vegan hot cross buns, omit egg-based glazes and use a vegan egg substitute in the dough. There are various egg replacement options available that can be used to achieve the right texture and flavor for the buns​​.
10. What’s the best way to reheat hot cross buns? To reheat, place them in an oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes or microwave them for 30 seconds. This will help to restore their warmth and softness, making them taste freshly baked.
11. Can I prepare hot cross buns ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the dough and shape the buns the night before, then refrigerate them covered. Allow them to come to room temperature and rise before baking the next day​​.
12. What if my buns are browning too quickly in the oven? If the tops of the buns start to brown too quickly, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil. This prevents the tops from burning while allowing the buns to continue baking and browning evenly​​.

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Yield: 24 buns

Traditional Hot Cross Buns

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Delight your senses with these homemade buns, a perfect blend of softness and sweetness, topped with a luscious glaze and icing.

Prep Time 2 hours

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm milk
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 7 cups flour

For the Glaze:

• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 3 tablespoons hot water

For the Icing:

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons cream (adjust as needed)

Instructions

1. Combine warm milk, warm water, and yeast in a large bowl. Allow to sit until yeast is frothy, about 5 minutes.
2. Mix in sugar, eggs, softened butter, and salt until well combined.
3. Gradually add flour, starting with 6 cups and adding more as needed, to form a stiff dough.
4. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
5. Divide the dough into 24 equal parts, shape into rolls, and place in two greased 9x13 inch baking pans.
6. Make a shallow X on top of each roll with a sharp knife.
7. Let the rolls rise in a warm place until they have doubled in size, about 1 hour.
8. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the rolls for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
9. For the glaze, dissolve sugar in hot water and brush over the hot buns as soon as they come out of the oven.
10. For the icing, mix confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and cream until smooth and pipeable. Adjust the thickness with more cream if necessary.
11. Once the buns have cooled slightly, pipe the icing over the buns to form crosses.

Notes

• Ensure that the milk and water are warm to touch, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it.
• The dough should be soft and elastic but not sticky; adjust the amount of flour as necessary.
• The buns are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.

Nutrition Information

Yield

24

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 219Total Fat 5gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 27mgSodium 131mgCarbohydrates 38gFiber 1gSugar 10gProtein 5g

Nutrition automatically generated.

The Final: Traditional Hot Cross Buns Recipe