Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns are sweet, spiced yeast buns traditionally enjoyed during Easter. Filled with dried currants and topped with icing, they offer a delightful combination of warm cinnamon flavor and tender texture. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or festive gatherings, these buns bring warmth and comfort to any table.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 2 packages rapid-rising active dry yeast
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon ⓘ
- 3/4 cup milk ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon butter flavoring ⓘ
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1/3 cup white sugar ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 2/3 cup dried currants ⓘ
- 1 egg white ⓘ
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon almond or vanilla extract ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, yeast, and cinnamon.
- Heat milk, vanilla extract, butter flavoring, vegetable oil, white sugar, and salt until just warm (about 120° to 130°F).
- Add the warm milk mixture and eggs to the dry ingredients; beat at low speed of an electric mixer for 30 seconds, scraping the bowl.
- Beat 3 minutes at high speed.
- Stir in dried currants by hand and add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
- Shape the dough into a ball.
- Place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to coat.
- Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Punch down the dough and turn out onto a floured surface; cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Divide into 18 pieces; form each into small balls.
- Place on a greased baking sheet, 1 1/2 inches apart.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of orange zest or swapping some of the currants for raisins. If you don't have rapid-rising yeast, you can use active dry yeast but allow longer rising times. Ensure your milk is warm but not hot, as this can kill the yeast. Keep the dough covered to prevent it from drying out during the rising process.
Serving Suggestions
These hot cross buns are delightful served warm with a pat of butter or as part of a brunch spread alongside coffee or tea. They pair beautifully with mints/" class="es-inline-link">Doris' Mints for a refreshing finish. For a festive touch, consider drizzling a simple icing made from powdered sugar and almond extract on top before serving.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover hot cross buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, or microwave them for 15-20 seconds until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Hot Cross Buns contains roughly 275 calories, with 3g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 15g fat. It is a good source of vitamin C (17% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I ensure my buns are soft and fluffy?
To achieve soft and fluffy buns, avoid over-kneading the dough and ensure it has enough time to rise. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable. Additionally, using fresh yeast and a warm rising environment will help the buns achieve their best texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).