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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.

Easter Hot Cross Buns Served on Vintage Platter

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. Many serve these buns on Good Friday or for Easter, and the cross is either embedded into the dough or piped as frosting on top.

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. 

More Bread For Easter

Ingredients for Easter Hot Cross Buns

(As a Walmart and Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualified purchases at the links below. See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)

Decorate Rolls while still Warm

Sourdough Option


Instructions For Making This Recipe

Ingredients for this Recipe

Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Spray an oblong baking pan with baking spray, or line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

If desired, chop raisins into small bits, using a cutting board and knife or chopping knife.

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. 

Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, add in the granulated sugar, water, whole milk, melted butter, large egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.

Mix Together Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, ground cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg, and ginger.

Add flour ingredients to the liquid mixture. Mix until the dough becomes thick and shaggy. Stir in chopped raisins.

Shape Dough into a Ball and Allow to Rise

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.

Form the Rolls

Divide Dough into Twelve Pieces

To form the rolls, divide the dough into twelve equal portions. Tuck the edges of the dough under, pinching at the bottom until they are smooth and round.

Place Rolls in Pan or on Baking Sheet to Rise

Place rolls seam-side down on the prepared baking pan or baking sheet.

I’ve baked these rolls both ways, and didn’t have problems with them touching each other. If you’re worried that they might, simply use the baking sheet option. 

Cover with greased plastic wrap or a clean tea towel and allow to rise for 40-60 minutes until double. Preheat oven to 375ยฐF.

Cover Risen Buns with Egg Wash

To make the egg wash, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining egg white and water. Brush the tops of the rolls with the beaten egg.

Baked Hot Cross Buns

Bake in preheated oven for 25-27 minutes until golden brown on top. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

Make the Glaze

Mix Together the Icing Ingredients until Smooth

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 decorating bag with a small round attachment.

You may also place the icing in a pint or quart sized bag and make a small cut in the corner of the bag.

Decorate Slightly Warm Buns with Icing Cross

While buns are still slightly warm, ice with a thick cross shape over the top.

Serve Hot Cross Buns while Warm on Blue Willow Platter

This recipe will make 12 rolls. They are best served freshly baked, and while still warm. Store in tightly sealed container or bag. You may freeze the rolls for up to 3 weeks. 

Whenever you thaw frozen baked goods, it’s always best to allow the item to come to room temperature before opening its bag or container to make sure it absorbs all of the moisture in the bag. 

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Featured Image - Recipe for Hot Cross Buns

Easter Hot Cross Buns

Here’s a recipe we made last Easter that was quite tasty and a special treat on the table.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Rising Time: 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 55 minutes
Serving Size 12

(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Ingredients 

Icing

  • 1 1/2 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.
  • Using a knife or cutting knife and cutting board, chop raisins into small bits.

Prepare the Dough

  • In a large mixing bowl, add in the granulated sugar, water, whole milk, melted butter, large egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. (Save the egg white for later in the recipe as an egg wash.)
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, salt, ground cinnamon, freshly ground nutmeg, and ginger.
  • Mix into liquid ingredients 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.

Form the Rolls

  • To form the rolls, divide the dough into twelve equal portions. Tuck the edges of the dough under, pinching until it forms a round roll. Place 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 375โ„‰.
  • To make the egg wash, in a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and water. Brush the tops of the rolls with the egg wash..
  • Bake in preheated oven for 25-27 minutes. Allow to cool on a wire rack.

Make the Glaze

  • To make the glaze, in a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth. Mixture will be rather thick.
  • Transfer the icing to a plastic decorating bag with a small round tip, (or a quart-sized 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.

Notes

*Unless otherwise indicated, all butter used on this recipe site is salted.ย 
**Sourdough Option – Add 1 cup active sourdough starter at the beginning of the recipe, and reduce the water to 2 tablespoons. Optionally, you may omit the instant yeast completely or use 1-2 teaspoons, depending on time constraints and how active your starter is. If you omit the yeast, you’ll need to perform the stretch and pull technique every 30-40 minutes while it rises. (It will also take longer for your dough to complete its two rises.)ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2mg

 

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16 Comments

    1. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will enjoy making them and that your sister will enjoy eating them! Best wishes.

    1. 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.

  1. 5 stars
    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!

    1. I hope you will give the Hot Cross Buns a try for Easter this year, Jacqueline. Childhood memories can be some of the best.

  2. 5 stars
    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!

    1. 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!

  3. 5 stars
    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