Homemade Hot Cross Buns: A Springtime Tradition

Hot cross buns, with their soft, spiced dough and iconic cross, are a beloved spring treat, especially around Easter. These warm, fragrant buns, studded with dried fruit and kissed with sweet glaze, are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or sharing with loved ones. Making them from scratch fills your kitchen with cozy aromas and delivers a fresh, flavourful result that store-bought can’t match. This recipe makes Mother’s Day or any spring gathering extra special.

Why These Buns Shine:

• Rich Flavour: Warm spices and sweet fruit create a comforting, nostalgic taste.
  
  
• Freshly Baked: Homemade buns are soft, fluffy, and unbeatable straight from the oven.
  
  
• Customizable: Swap fruits or adjust spices to suit your palate.
  
  

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

This recipe yields 12 buns, perfect for sharing, and takes about 3 hours, including rising time.

Ingredients (Makes 12 buns)

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  
• 1 tsp sea salt
  
• 1 tbsp active dry yeast
  
• 1 cup warm milk (about 45°C)
  
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  
• 1 large egg
  
• 3/4 cup mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, or candied peel)
  
  

For the Cross:

• 1/4 cup flour
  
• 3-4 tbsp water
  
  

For the Glaze:

• 2 tbsp maple syrup
  
• 1 tbsp water
  
  

Instructions

1. Make Dough: In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, and yeast. In a separate bowl, whisk warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Combine wet and dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms.
   
   
2. Knead: Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth. Work in dried fruit during the last 2 minutes.
   
   
3. First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
   
   
4. Shape Buns: Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, 2 cm apart. Cover and let rise 30-45 minutes.
   
   
5. Add Cross: Preheat oven to 200°C. Mix flour and water to form a thick paste; pipe crosses onto buns using a piping bag or ziplock with a corner snipped.
   
   
6. Bake: Bake 15-18 minutes until golden.
   
   
7. Glaze: Mix maple syrup and water; brush over hot buns. Cool slightly before serving.
   
   

Tips for Success

• Warm Milk: Ensure milk isn’t too hot (below 50°C) to avoid killing yeast.
  
  
• Fruit Options: Soak dried fruit in warm water for 10 minutes for extra plumpness.
  
  
• Storage: Store in an airtight container for 2 days or freeze for up to a month.
  
  

These hot cross buns are a delicious nod to spring traditions, perfect for sharing love and warmth. To achieve perfect, precise crosses every time, explore high-quality piping bags. They’ll help create a polished, professional finish on your homemade buns.