Easter Hot Cross Buns

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Hot Cross Buns are perfect for an Easter dinner. Studded with raisins (or black currants) and lightly sweetened with cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, they provide a tasty and special treat on your holiday table.
From what I can gather from the history of this recipe, for Christians, its usage marks the end of the Lenten season. The cross symbolizes Christs’ crucifixion and the spices represent the spices placed on Jesus’ body after his burial.
I first made these rolls for our family when my grandmother died on Good Friday, March 25, 2016, so they are a wonderful reminder of her every year at this time.
Ingredients Needed to Make Easter Hot Cross Buns
- granulated sugar
- water
- whole milk
- melted butter
- large egg yolk
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- instant yeast
- salt
- ground cinnamon
- freshly ground nutmeg
- ground ginger
- raisins, chopped
- egg wash (egg + water)
Icing:
- powdered sugar
- whole milk
- vanilla extract
- lemon zest
Instructions for Making This Recipe
Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Prepare your ingredients. Using a knife and cutting board, chop raisins into small bits.
Raisins are easier to find in our area of the country, but if you have access to dried black currants, they would be wonderful in this recipe.
In a large mixing bowl, add in the granulated sugar, water, whole milk, melted butter, large egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, ground cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg, and ginger. Mix until the dough becomes thick and shaggy. Stir in chopped raisins.
Knead with your hands or a dough hook until soft and elastic, 5-7 minutes. Shape into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until double, about one hour.
Forming the Rolls:
To form the rolls, divide the dough into twelve equal portions. Tuck the edges of the dough under to make round rolls and place them seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Cover with greased plastic wrap or a clean tea towel and allow to rise for 40-60 minutes until double. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
To make the egg wash, in a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the tops of the rolls with the beaten egg.
Bake in preheated oven for 25-27 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Making the Glaze:
To make the glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
Transfer the icing to a plastic bag and make a small cut in the corner of the bag. Ice buns with a thick cross shape over the top. This recipe will make 12 rolls. They are best served freshly baked, and while still warm.
See more Bread Recipes Here. Browse Easter Recipes Here.
Easter Hot Cross Buns
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup butter melted
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup chopped raisins
- 1 large egg + water for egg wash
Icing:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Prepare your ingredients. Using a knife and cutting board, chop raisins into small bits.
- In a large mixing bowl, add in the granulated sugar, water, whole milk, melted butter, large egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, ground cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg, and ginger. Mix until the dough becomes thick and shaggy. Stir in chopped raisins.
- Knead with your hands or a dough hook until soft and elastic, 5-7 minutes. Shape into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise until double, about one hour.
Forming the Rolls:
- To form the rolls, divide the dough into twelve equal portions. Tuck the edges of the dough under to make round rolls and place them seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Cover with greased plastic wrap or a clean tea towel and allow to rise for 40-60 minutes until double. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- To make the egg wash, in a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Brush the tops of the rolls with the beaten egg.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-27 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Making the Glaze:
- To make the glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth.
- Transfer the icing to a plastic bag and make a small cut in the corner of the bag. Ice buns with a thick cross shape over the top. Makes 12 rolls.
I have never made this but this sure looks like a great recipe that is easy too. Thanks
I hope you’ll give it a try, Angela. Thanks for stopping by.
These hot cross buns are so beautiful and a classic recipe. I love the spices and the raisins in these!
Thanks for stopping by, Beth. I love to make hot cross buns for Easter.
My sister loves hot cross buns, so I will definitely have to give these a try soon to send her. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will enjoy making them and that your sister will enjoy eating them! Best wishes.
Amazing easter recipe. Can we serve this with tea? I mean traditionally.
Thanks for stopping by, Shikha. Yes, I’m sure that the hot cross buns could be served with tea, and has been many times in the past.
A wonderful classic and vintage Easter recipe. These look so yummy!
Thanks for stopping by, LeRena.
Growing up in the UK, hot cross buns were my favourite Easter treat, more than chocolate eggs!! They’re delicious toasted and eaten with butter! They don’t exist here in Italy, so I think I should try your recipe out and make my own. Bring back some childhood memories!
I hope you will give the Hot Cross Buns a try for Easter this year, Jacqueline. Childhood memories can be some of the best.
Ohh these hot cross buns are so perfect for Easter:). I’ll try to make them for my kids, they’d love them! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Hi Sonila. I hope you will give this recipe a try this Easter for your children and that they will love them as much as we do!
Hot Cross buns are a must duriung easter. I remember how my son used to enjoy the buns and my daughter also loves them so much. Thanks for the recipe and looking forward to try this at home
Thanks for stopping by, Anindya. I hope you will enjoy the recipe!