Best 4 Easy Hot Cross Buns Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful aroma and taste of freshly baked Hot Cross Buns, a traditional Easter treat that holds a special place in many cultures. These soft, pillowy buns are enriched with warm spices, sweet currants, and plump raisins, offering a harmonious blend of flavors. The iconic cross, piped on top with white icing, symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and serves as a reminder of the religious significance of the holiday. In this comprehensive guide, we present a collection of Hot Cross Bun recipes, each offering unique variations to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. From classic to gluten-free, vegan to sourdough, you're sure to find the perfect recipe to create these delectable buns at home.

Let's cook with our recipes!

TRADITIONAL HOT CROSS BUNS



Traditional Hot Cross Buns image

On Easter morning, our family always looked forward to a breakfast of dyed hard boiled eggs and Mom's hot cross buns. I still serve these for special brunches or buffets. -Barbara Jean Lull, Fullerton, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Breakfast     Brunch

Time 40m

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
2 cups warm whole milk (110° to 115°)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
6 to 7 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dried currants
1/2 cup raisins
1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
ICING:
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
4 to 6 teaspoons whole milk

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. In a large bowl, combine eggs, butter, sugar, salt, spices, yeast mixture and 3 cups flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in currants, raisins and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky)., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until dough is smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide and shape into 30 balls. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover with kitchen towels; let rise in a warm place until doubled, 30-45 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°., Using a sharp knife, cut a cross on top of each bun. In a small bowl, whisk egg yolk and water; brush over tops. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool slightly., For icing, in a small bowl, mix confectioners' sugar and enough milk to reach desired consistency. Pipe a cross on top of each bun. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 171 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 28mg cholesterol, Sodium 145mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

HOT CROSS BUNS I



Hot Cross Buns I image

Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!

Provided by LITSTER5

Categories     Bread     Yeast Bread Recipes     Rolls and Buns

Time 3h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 16

¾ cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon instant powdered milk
¼ cup white sugar
⅜ teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 egg white
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
¾ cup dried currants
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
½ cup confectioners' sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons milk

Steps:

  • Put warm water, butter, skim milk powder, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, egg, egg white, flour, and yeast in bread maker and start on dough program.
  • When 5 minutes of kneading are left, add currants and cinnamon. Leave in machine till double.
  • Punch down on floured surface, cover, and let rest 10 minutes.
  • Shape into 12 balls and place in a greased 9 x 12 inch pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place till double, about 35-40 minutes.
  • Mix egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water. Brush on balls.
  • Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 20 minutes. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.
  • To make crosses: mix together confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and milk. Place glaze in a piping bag or a sandwich bag with the corner snipped off; pipe a cross onto each roll.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 217 calories, Carbohydrate 40.5 g, Cholesterol 40.3 mg, Fat 4 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 108.7 mg, Sugar 15.5 g

EASY HOT CROSS BUNS



Easy hot cross buns image

Delicious warm from the oven, or lightly toasted for tea or breakfast

Provided by Sara Buenfeld

Categories     Afternoon tea, Treat

Time 1h45m

Yield Makes 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

500g strong white bread flour
½ tsp salt
2 heaped tsp mixed spice
50g caster sugar
50g butter , chopped into cubes
200g mixed dried fruit
7g sachet easy-blend dried yeast
200ml milk
2 eggs
3 tbsp plain flour
honey or golden syrup, for brushing

Steps:

  • Tip the flour into a bowl and stir in the salt, mixed spice and sugar.
  • Rub in the butter with your fingertips. Stir in the dried fruit, then sprinkle over the yeast and stir in. Gently warm the milk so it is hot, but still cool enough to put your finger in for a couple of seconds. Beat with the eggs, then pour into the dried ingredients.
  • Using a blunt knife, mix the ingredients to a moist dough, then leave to soak for 5 mins. Take out of the bowl and cut the dough into 8 equal pieces.
  • Shape the dough into buns on a floured surface. Space apart on a baking sheet, cover loosely with cling film, then leave in a warm place until half again in size. This will take 45 mins-1 hr 15 mins, depending on how warm the room is.
  • When the buns are risen, heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Mix the flour with 2 tbsp water to make a paste. Pour into a plastic food bag and make a nick in one of the corners. Pipe crosses on top of each bun.
  • Bake for 12-15 mins until risen and golden. Trim the excess cross mixture from the buns , then brush all over with honey or golden syrup. The buns will keep fresh for a day. After that they are best toasted and served with butter.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 374 calories, Fat 8 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 71 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 25 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 10 grams protein, Sodium 0.49 milligram of sodium

MOM'S BEST HOT CROSS BUNS



Mom's Best Hot Cross Buns image

I found the handwritten copy of this recipe tucked inside one of my mother's old cookbooks. As a young girl, I used to help her make these buns.

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 1h

Yield 1 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 cup sugar, divided
1 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup raisins
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3-1/2 to 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
ICING:
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 teaspoons milk

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in milk. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add the butter, raisins, egg, salt and remaining sugar; beat until smooth. Stir in enough flour to form a soft dough., Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 12 portions. Shape each into a ball. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. , Bake at 375° for 25-30 minutes or until browned. Remove from the pan to a wire rack to cool., For icing, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to achieve a piping consistency. Pipe an "X" on top of each bun.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Activate the yeast properly: Make sure the water is warm enough (110-115°F) to activate the yeast. If the water is too hot, it will kill the yeast, and if it's too cold, the yeast will not activate properly.
  • Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients will give your hot cross buns the best flavor. This is especially important for the spices, which should be freshly ground.
  • Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough helps to develop the gluten, which gives the hot cross buns their chewy texture. Knead the dough for at least 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
  • Let the dough rise in a warm place: The dough should rise in a warm place (about 75-80°F) until it has doubled in size. This will take about 1-2 hours.
  • Shape the dough into buns: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a smooth ball and place it on a greased baking sheet.
  • Make the hot cross buns: To make the hot cross buns, use a sharp knife to cut a cross into the top of each bun. Then, brush the buns with milk and sprinkle them with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
  • Bake the hot cross buns: Bake the hot cross buns in a preheated oven at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Conclusion:

Hot cross buns are a delicious and traditional Easter treat. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. These tips will help you make perfect hot cross buns every time!

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