These Best Hot Cross Buns are soft, sweet, and filled with warm spices. Perfectly topped with a cross, they make a delightful treat for any time of the year!
I love sharing them with family—there’s just something fun about pulling them apart. Plus, they smell amazing while baking. You’ll want to eat them straight from the oven! 😋
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the backbone of your buns, providing structure. If you’re after a fluffier texture, consider using bread flour instead. It has more protein and can give your buns a delightful chewiness.
Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness, but you can swap it for brown sugar for a deeper flavor. Honey or maple syrup can also work, just remember to adjust your liquid measurements.
Active Dry Yeast: Essential for making the buns rise! If you’re out of it, feel free to use instant yeast, which doesn’t need to be activated first. Just mix it in with the dry ingredients.
Dried Fruit: Feel free to mix up the types of dried fruit according to your taste. Cranberries, apricots, or even chocolate chips can be tasty alternatives. Personal tip: soak them in warm water or rum for extra flavor!
Candied Orange Peel: This adds a nice citrus hint. If you don’t have it, you can use fresh zest instead for a lighter twist, or just leave it out altogether.
How Do You Get the Buns to Rise Perfectly?
A key step in getting those lovely, fluffy buns is the rising process. It’s crucial to create the right environment for the yeast to work its magic. Here’s how:
- First rise: After mixing your dough, let it rise in a warm, draft-free spot. If your kitchen is cool, try preheating your oven to the lowest setting for a minute, then turn it off and place the dough inside.
- Punch down and second rise: After the first rise, gently deflate the dough (this helps redistribute yeast) before adding the dried fruit. Knead it in lightly.
- Final rise: Shape the buns and let them puff up in the pan. They should be touching but not squished for maximum fluffiness!
Be patient; the wait is worth it for perfectly risen hot cross buns!
Best Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (currants, raisins, sultanas, or similar)
- 1/4 cup candied orange peel (optional)
For the Icing:
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1-2 tbsp milk (for icing)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take you about 2 hours in total. You’ll spend around 20 minutes preparing the ingredients and mixing the dough, plus an hour for the first rise and 30 to 45 minutes for the second rise. Baking will take 20 to 25 minutes. Easy and worth the wait!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Make sure everything is mixed well to create a uniform base for your dough.
2. Combine the Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, mix together the melted butter, warm milk, and eggs. Whisk until it’s well combined, and you have a smooth mixture.
3. Form the Dough:
Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until a sticky dough forms. It might be a little messy, but that’s okay!
4. Knead the Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead it for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If it’s sticking too much, sprinkle a bit more flour on the surface.
5. First Rise:
Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. This is the dough’s time to shine!
6. Add the Fruits:
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Knead in the dried fruit and candied orange peel (if using). Make sure they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Shape the Buns:
Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a bun and place them in a greased baking dish, making sure they are close together. This will help them rise better.
8. Second Rise:
Cover the dish with a damp cloth and let the buns rise again for about 30-45 minutes until they’re puffy and nearly touching each other.
9. Bake the Buns:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown on top and smell heavenly!
10. Prepare the Icing:
While the buns are baking, make the icing by mixing confectioners’ sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. Adjust the milk until you reach your desired icing consistency.
11. Ice the Buns:
Once baked, remove the buns from the oven and let them cool slightly. Drizzle or pipe the icing over the buns in a cross shape—this is the classic look for Hot Cross Buns!
12. Serve and Enjoy:
These buns are best served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy your delicious homemade Hot Cross Buns with family and friends!
Can I Use Different Types of Flour?
Absolutely! While all-purpose flour is the best choice for hot cross buns, you can use bread flour for a chewier texture or whole wheat flour for a more wholesome flavor. If using whole wheat, you might want to reduce the amount by about 1/4 cup since whole wheat flour absorbs more moisture.
How to Store Hot Cross Buns?
Store the buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag to freeze for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm them in the oven!
Can I Substitute Fresh Fruit for Dried Fruit?
While dried fruit provides the best texture and flavor for hot cross buns, you can use fresh fruit like chopped apples or pears. Just be sure to reduce the amount slightly and adjust the baking time, as fresh fruit contains more moisture, which might alter the bun’s consistency.
What Should I Do If My Dough Doesn’t Rise?
If your dough doesn’t rise, it might be due to the yeast being inactive or the environment being too cold. Make sure your yeast is fresh and try placing the dough in a warmer spot, such as an oven with just the light on, to help it rise better.
