Easy Hot Cross Buns Recipe

There’s no better way to start Easter weekend than with our Easy Hot Cross Buns recipe. Made with whole milk, nutmeg, raisins, and other pantry staples, there’s no way to skip out on this tasty treat!

Hot Cross Buns

Are you looking for a simple and sweet treat that will have everyone happy and full? These homemade hot cross buns are simply divine. The hardest part of this entire recipe will be finding the patience to let them cool down enough from the oven to eat!

I have quite the sweet tooth and this recipe proves that it’s okay to indulge every once in a while. Make certain to check out some of my other simple sweet recipes like this Strawberry Poke Cake, Air Fryer Donuts, and our Apple Breakfast Casserole as well.

The great thing about these hot cross buns is that you can technically enjoy them at any time of the day. I like to have one in the morning with my cup of coffee and as an after-dinner treat, too.

Ingredients

• whole milk
• canola oil
• sugar
• all-purpose flour
• yeast
• baking powder and baking soda
• salt
• cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and allspice
• raisins

Glaze: 

• egg white
• whole milk

Icing:

• confectioners’ sugar
• vanilla extract
• milk

Instructions

In a large saucepan, combine milk, canola oil, and sugar. Stir to mix. Heat to almost boiling then turn off the heat. Do not let his boil. Let the mixture cool until it’s warm, but not cold. 

Sprinkle yeast over mixture and stir. Let sit for one to two minutes.

Add 4 cups flour and stir until it’s combined. It will be sticky. 

Cover and let rise in pot for one hour. 

Put the remaining ½ cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and stir to combine. 

In small mixing bowl combine sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and allspice. 

Roll dough out onto flour-covered surface. Roll dough until it’s a long rectangle. Sprinkle the top of the dough with the seasonings and add ¼ of the raisins. 

Fold the dough onto itself, from left to right, meeting in the middle. Then roll the dough back into another rectangle. Add more of the spice mixture and raisins. 

You’ll fold the dough onto itself again. Do this until the spices and raisins are all used and incorporated into the dough, but don’t fold the dough more than you need to. 

Next, pinch off a piece of the dough and roll it into a ball with your hands. 

Squeeze the ball in between your thumb and fingers so the top of the roll becomes smooth. Place the dough, bottom down, on a lined baking sheet. 

Cover the buns with a dish towel and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. If they don’t rise enough, let them continue to rise for up to 30 more minutes. 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Make the glaze: mix the egg white and milk and brush on top of the risen rolls. 

Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. 

Remove from oven and let cool completely. 

While buns are cooling, make the icing. 

Using an electric mixer, combine milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth and creamy. Place icing in pastry bag fitted with a circle tip. If you don’t have a pastry bag, you can cut a tip in the corner of a zipper baggie.

Pipe two lines, one horizontally, one vertically, crossing in the middle of the bun.

What is the significance of hot cross buns?

Hot cross bun have been around for ages and are typically made on Good Friday. The cross on top represents when Jesus was crucified and this is why many people eat these during Lent or during the Easter holiday.

We typically make them the week of Easter and eat them during the Easter weekend. Many people make them and deliver as gifts on Good Friday.

Here’s an interesting article about the history of the pre-Easter pastry.

How should you eat hot cross buns?

The traditional way is to eat a hot cross bun is to cut it open and add some butter, then enjoy. They’re so full of flavor that you can eat them however you typically eat a bun or biscuit.

Is a hot cross bun healthy?

Not necessarily, but I do appreciate the added spices and ingredients as well as the raisins. Because it contains sugar, I wouldn’t consider it healthy.

I have no problem enjoying this for breakfast or dinner and wouldn’t hesitate to let the kids do the same.

When should you eat hot cross buns?

Traditionally speaking, they’re eaten on Good Friday. But you can make them any time of year.

How long do hot cross buns last?

As long as you keep them in an airtight container, you should be able to store them in the fridge and keep them fresh for up to 5 days.

If you find that they’re starting to dry out a little bit, the easiest trick is to pop them in the microwave for a few seconds and heat them up. This will help them to become moist again and not be as dry.

You can also add butter to give a bit more flavor if needed as well.

Why are my hot cross buns so dry?

This isn’t a common problem, but it does happen. If you’re noticing that the buns are dry, there’s a high probability that you overmixed the dough. Just be aware of this and try not to mix it too much.

What goes with hot cross buns?

We typically eat these buns with our Easter breakfast or brunch.

They’re super yummy on their own but you can also pair up a few other delicious food items with your buns, too.

• Ham
• Eggs
• Avocado
• Bacon
• Cheese

Have fun with the different flavors and toppings. Just remember that this recipe is a bit sweeter so factor than in if you’re trying it with different foods.

If you’re looking for a sweet bun recipe that will please everyone and have them all wanting more, give this easy Hot Cross Bun recipe a try. It’s a fast and easy way to make a homemade snack.

Looking for another breakfast morning treat? Try our crescent roll cream cheese danishes!

More Easter Recipes

• Easter Dirt Cake
• Easter Resurrection Cookies
• Copycat Reese’s Peanut Butter eggs
• Peeps S’mores Dip
• Homemade Marshmallow Peeps
• Easter Cupcakes