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Hot Cross Buns
5 from 42 votes

Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns combine spiced sweet dough with raisins and a piped flour-water cross on top. The dough includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with brown sugar, giving an aromatic and mildly sweet flavor. After rising and shaping into buns, a simple cross is piped before baking to golden perfection. These buns are traditionally enjoyed during Easter but make a comforting spiced bread snack any time.

Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 16
Calories: 246 kcal
Course: Breakfast, Bread
Cuisine: American, New Zealand

Ingredients

Dough
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar granulated white
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups bread flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 1 1/4 cups water warmed to lukewarm not hot
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup raisins
Crosses
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup water
Glaze
  • 1/4 cup sugar granulated white
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

MAKE THE DOUGH
    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the dough ingredients in your stand mixer or a large bowl if doing by hand - and knead for about 10 minutes.
  2. Add the spices, brown sugar and raisins, and knead until elastic and smooth.
  3. Let rise in a warm place for about an hour (dough will triple in size).
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 16 roughly equal pieces. Roll them into balls, and place them on a baking stone (or cookie sheet lined with parchment) or baking pan. The balls of dough should almost touch each other.
MAKE THE CROSSES
  1. In a small bowl, combine the flour and water until smooth.
  2. Transfer to a zip lock bag, seal. Snip off the corner and pipe the crosses onto the surface of the buns.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap (loosely) or a clean kitchen towel.
  4. Allow the buns to rise at room temperature a further 20 minutes (up to 30mins - they should double in size)
BAKE & GLAZE
  1. Bake in a preheated oven 400°F for 20-25 minutes (buns should be a golden brown).
  2. Meanwhile, make the glaze by combining the sugar and water, and heat in the microwave or a saucepan until it forms a simple syrup.
  3. Remove buns from the oven and while piping hot brush over the sugar glaze.
  4. Cool on a rack.

Notes

  • This recipe can be made in a bread machine by adding ingredients in order and adding spices and dried fruit partway through the dough cycle.
  • Divide the dough into 16 equal portions for evenly sized buns.
  • Pipe crosses using a flour and water paste before the final rise and bake.
  • Glaze the buns after baking with a sugar and water syrup for a shiny finish.

Nutrition Information

Calories 246kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 50g (17%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g (3%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g (5%) Trans Fat 0.1g (5%) Cholesterol 19mg (6%) Sodium 221mg (9%) Potassium 172mg (4%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 80IU (2%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 21mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 246

% Daily Value*

Calories 246kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g 3%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 221mg 9%
Potassium 172mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 80IU 2%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 21mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.