These classic British cakes, more commonly known as Hot Cross Buns, are a traditional breakfast served on Good Friday. Soft and slightly sweet, they are speckled with spiced raisins and dried cranberries with a subtle citrus undertone.
The precise ‘moment’ when an object or tradition becomes ‘iconic’ or ‘defining’ is difficult to pinpoint, but you know it when it happens. Decorated trees at Christmas, for example, or mirror balls being dropped from skyscrapers on New Year’s Eve. Similarly, along with bunnies and molded chocolate, Hot Cross Buns have come to symbolize the Easter Season – in particular, the end of Lent.
While not as ‘deliberately nonsensical’ as dragging a fern into the living room to string with electric lights (fire hazards be damned), or as faux-audacious as dropping crystal balls from skyscrapers, Hot Cross Buns nevertheless found themselves outlawed by the government of Queen Elizabeth I, to be sold and consumed solely at Christmas and Good Friday.
The queen’s puritanical ire at these humble cakes was, in my opinion, a bit strange even for the time, considering they’re quaint things, really. humble of ingredients and flavor, being almost purposefully simple, and thoroughly antique as if reaching back to a bygone era. I can’t help imagining “Black Market Bakers” selling these in the alleys between pubs, or in graveyards past midnight to Hot Cross Bun-craving Londoners in desperate need of their spice cake fix.
The precise origin of these once fugitive buns is, like most such traditions, largely lost to time. Some attempt to link the eating of hot cross buns to ancient Greek and Roman festival food, where small spiced cakes were common fare for the attendees. However, I can’t really imagine how Classical Era festival food would vanish for several millennia only to reemerge in Elizabethan England. Others link the buns to St. Albans Abbey in the thirteenth or fourteenth century, which infers that monks had a habit of piously marking their food with religiously intentioned frosting…for reasons that seemingly elude the history books. This would also imply that the desserts of these isolated monks somehow found their way into mainstream fare.
Regardless, whether you believe these Lenten buns are the descendants of Roman festival fare, or were inspired by the cuisine of isolated monks, or blazed their way into our imaginations after being banned by the queen, they remain an Easter icon, and one that I gladly make a habit of indulging in this time of year.
Growing up, I must admit that we bought rather than baked our Hot Cross Buns and that they were almost exclusively a morning treat.
These days, however, no Easter arrangement in my home would be complete without these now coveted cakes.
To start things off, we begin by proofing the yeast. To do this, heat a cup of milk until warm. Be careful ‘not’ to scald the milk. Scalding milk takes only about four to five minutes on medium heat. So, figure you want to warm your milk for perhaps three minutes at most.
After turning off the heat, add the yeast into the milk with one teaspoon of sugar. Let that sit until the yeast has bubbled and frothed.
While you let that happen, place a small saucepan over low heat, and combine all of the ingredients listed below for the spiced raisins. Let them sit over the low heat until the raisins and cranberries have plumped slightly as pictured below, having absorbed the orange juice. Then remove them from the heat and let them cool.
Now, in the bowl of your stand mixer, with the dough hook attached, combine flour, softened butter, salt, eggs, and the proofed yeast, and mix until a soft but dry dough has formed. Cover the dough and let it rest in a warm, dark place for about two hours.
Yes, this recipe requires a fair bit of patience.
Now, grease a cast iron pan, or a baking dish, either will do, and set that aside. THen, on a thoroughly floured surface, set out your dough. Divide the dough evenly in half, and then cut the halves into quarters…yes, doing it this works better than simply ‘dividing the dough into the eighths.’ Trust me. Shape each of the resulting dough balls, and place them in the greased baking pan. Cover them, and let them rise for about an hour.
Yes, I know, more patience.
Finally, bake the buns at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about eighteen minutes, twenty at the most. You want them golden as pictured below. Then allow them to cool after removing them from the oven.
Print
Hot Cross Buns
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 hot cross buns 1x
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 5 1/2 cups AP flour, plus more for shaping
- 1 cup warm milk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 granulated sugar
- 1 package active dry yeast (plus 1 teaspoon sugar)
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Spiced Raisins:
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries or currants
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons orange zest
- Juice of 1/2 orange
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
For the egg wash:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Icing:
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Begin by proofing your yeast. Heat milk until warm to the touch (be sure not to scold milk). Add the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let stand until the yeast has bubbled and frothed.
- In the meantime, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine all ingredients for the spiced raisins. Once the raisins and cranberries have absorbed the orange juice and plumped, remove from heat and let cool.
- In the bowl of your stand mixed with the dough hook attachment, combine flour, softened butter, salt, eggs, and proofed yeast. Mix on low just until a soft but still dry dough has formed. Add the spiced raisins. Mix again on low speed. Cover the dough and let it rest in warm, dark place for about 2 hours.
- Grease a cast iron pan or baking dish, whichever you prefer and set aside.
- On a very well floured surface, turn the risen dough out. Divide it in half and then quarter the halves. Shape each dough ball and place in the prepared baking pan. Cover again and let rise, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, whisk the egg wash and brush over each bun. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden.
- Remove the buns from the oven and let cool to room temp (it is ok if they are still warm, just make sure they have cooled enough for the icing).
- In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients for the icing. The icing should be thick, not runny. Fill a pastry bag with the icing and pipe a cross over each bun. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Prep Time does NOT include Inactive Prep Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
While they cool, you can quickly prep the icing, which you do by simply whisking together the ingredients listed below. Then pipe the icing over each bun in the shape of a cross, and enjoy!
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Raluca says
I never baked hot cross buns, always thought they're difficult to make, but with this recipe, I could give it a go! Thanks for sharing it 😉
Samantha says
Such a beautiful recipe! I will have to try this for sure! Thank you for sharing 🙂
katie davies says
love a hot cross bun, i have never thought to make them you make it look so simple maybe i will give it a go
Nicole says
I love hot cross buns! I'm definitely going to give this a go and see how i get on. Thanks for this!
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, I can't remember how long ago its been since we had Hot Cross Buns. Thanks for the reminder re: this spring time Easter treat! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
angiesrecipes says
They look so inviting!
wander women abroad says
what is better than hot buns?! so excited to try this out
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
Hmmmmm This Hot Cross Buns look sooooo yummy! Can I have a bite?!
Calleigh | The Fork bite says
I love these soft, tender cross buns with sweet syrup and filled with juicy raisins. Absolutely delightful anytime!
katia says
Gonna try these days, so yummy !!
danielle says
Well this just looks DIVINE! I am going to try my best to make this vegan (I hope I can do it justice!). I love your blog! Reminds me so much of my grandmothers amazing home cooked meals
Rhonda Albom says
I love hot cross buns, but have never known how to make them. I always end up just buying some from the local bakery. This recipe will be coming to good use for next time guests come over!
Yeah Lifestyle says
You just can't beat a hot cross bun at this time of year. I always end up buying mine but I might have to give this recipe a try!
Catherine Santiago Jose says
Wow, your procedure of making Hot Cross Buns looks so easy to follow and it looks really delicious. I will definitely try to make this for my kids. Thanks for sharing!
Melissa Dixon says
Oh my! These look so good and it has been a while since I have made something like this around here. I know my family would appreciate it, thanks for the reminder, I am going to try this one!
kumamonjeng says
The hot cross buns are my favorite and it didn't look so difficult to handle. Look so yummy and would love to try it out.
Surekha Busa says
Wow, this hot cross bun looks so delicious. And the filling sounds so interesting. I must try this recipe soon.
Angie Scheie says
Yum!!!! I am picturing a spring tea with friends right now as I pull out freshly made hot crossed buns. Saving to Pinterest!
Chad says
These buns look soooo delicious and i can't believe they're easy to make. Thank you so much.
Sara Welch says
These look delicious! I will have to give these a try for Good Friday!
Beth Pierce says
I haven't made anything like this in a long time! You've inspired me; can't wait to try your recipe!
Chelle Dizon says
My grandma really likes Hot Cross Buns and she really baked it herself. I don’t know how to make these so perfect timing to get the recipe. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Kami | Life with Kami says
A simple recipe perfect for Lenten season. We can match this from any hot beverages.
Alexandra Cook says
Oh wow, this one is a winner. I would love to try making this. My kods would probable dig this!
Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog says
We love Hot Cross Buns but never attempted to make them ourselves - we'd love to try and mix them up with apple and sultana x
Jasmine Hewitt says
this looks like a good recipe for breakfast or bunch treats! I need to try it
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy says
I was just saying to hubby the other day I have not seen any hot cross buns in the stores. I guess I need to make my own. This looks like the just the recipe I need too.
Amy says
LOVEEEEEE - Hot cross buns are the best! I have never made them myself though must give it a go!
Dan from Platter Talk says
This is the Easter season in which I will be making hot cross buns and this is the recipe I will use! These delicious cakes have been on my to-do list for years and now the timing of this post is perfect. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
OMG, these are so cute. Reminds me of hot cross buns we all play on the recorder! Finally see them in real life! So DELISH.
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says
My favorite thing about Easter is hot cross buns! I love the spice combinations! Will try your recipe out this year!
Denise says
I love the story of a bit of Hot Cross bun history! I have never tried making these, a may have to now!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
With Easter right around the corner these are perfect to serve with morning breakfast! I love how light and fluffy they look too!
Anne Lawton says
Hot Cross Buns are so good any time of the year! You make it look like they are easy to make too!
Analida Braeger says
Ohhh wonderful hot cross buns. These bring back so many vague memories and lots of nostalgia. I have not had these since I was much younger, and I have missed them ever since. These look so fantastic and I will try them !! 🙂
Saima says
Quite a treat for breakfast, these hot cross buns are! Liked reading about the history of hot cross buns too.
Charity says
I'm a total food history nerd, so I'm loving this! I've never had hot cross buns, but now I have to try them!
Julie says
I've never had (or actually ever even heard of) a hot cross bun, but the sugar and butter in the dough reminds me of babka dough. I bet these are delicious!
Nicole says
These Hot Cros Buns looks irresistible! Your photos are gorgeous!
Jo says
Hot cross buns and spring are one of the best things I look forward to. Your hot cross buns looks so absolutely delicious. It would be wonderful treat for breakfast
Colleen says
I've always bought hot cross buns from the bakery at Easter, but now I'm saving this recipe to make them myself. Thanks for sharing!
Scarlet | Family Focus Blog says
These hot cross buns look amazing. I love baking. It is a feel good activity for me so these will be fun to try.
Denise says
I keep telling myself to try making these, and I never do. With your step by step instructions I shouldn't have a problem. Thank you!
Amy Liu Dong says
My daughter sung a nursery song hot cross bun upon seeing your recipe. She said, it looks delicious and she wanted me to make this for her afternoon snacks.
Veronika says
I love hot cross buns but never made them myself before. I guess we all will have a lot of free time this Easter, so should definitely make them! Thanks for the recipe!
Sharon says
These hot cross buns are the perfect Easter treat. They are so easy to make too and come out perfect every time.
Elaine says
Classic, inviting and so delicious. Can't wait to make a whole bunch of these and enjoy throughout the week. Dried cranberries must be working so well in this recipe!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
I love hot cross buns for Easter, but have never made it at home. I guess I have to now so that I can avoid going out. This looks perfect to make yourself. Bookmarked for Easter, thanks!!!