Hot cross buns are one of those recipes that instantly fill the kitchen with the comforting scent of warm spices and sweet fruit. The first time I made these hot cross buns at home, the aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and buttery dough drifting through the oven made the whole kitchen feel cozy and inviting.
When the buns finally came out golden brown and glossy with sugar glaze, Hot cross buns were unbelievably soft inside with just the right touch of sweetness.
What I love most about this Hot cross buns recipe is how simple ingredients come together to create something so satisfying. The finely chopped cherries and raisins melt into the dough, giving every bite a burst of fruity sweetness.
Meanwhile, the warm spices bring depth and warmth that make Hot cross buns perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat with tea.
Key Ingredients in Hot Cross Buns Recipe
-2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
-½ cup warm evaporated milk
-¼ cup melted butter
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-⅓ cup sugar
-½ cup finely blended cherries and raisins
-2 ¼ teaspoons fast rise active yeast
-½ teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
-Oil for greasing hands and surface
For the glaze:
-2 parts sugar
-1 part water
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Hot Cross Buns
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 10-12 buns
Description
This hot cross buns recipe makes soft, fluffy sweet buns flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg, and filled with finely chopped cherries and raisins. Made with flour, yeast, warm milk, butter, and sugar, they are baked until golden and finished with a light sugar glaze.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
½ cup evaporated milk, warm
¼ cup melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
⅓ cup sugar
½ cup blended cherries and raisins (chopped very fine)
2 ¼ teaspoons fast rise active yeast (one packet)
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Oil, for greasing your hands and work surface
For the Glaze:
2 parts sugar
Instructions
Start by preparing your dried fruit. Use a chopper or food processor to chop the raisins and cherries super fine. This ensures they will be evenly distributed throughout the dough, giving you fruit in every bite.
In a medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients: the nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Mix them well and set the bowl aside.
For the wet ingredients, add the sugar to the warm evaporated milk and stir. Next, add the active yeast to the milk mixture and give it a stir. The yeast is already activated, but this step confirms it’s alive.
Add the vanilla extract and the melted butter to the milk and yeast mixture. Stir to combine and then set it aside.
Back to your bowl of dry ingredients, add your finely chopped fruit. Pour in the wet ingredients and stir everything together until it is very well combined. The dough will be on the sticky side. This sticky, super soft texture is exactly what you want for the most amazing, pillowy buns.
To handle the sticky dough without making it dense, oil your hands and your work surface instead of adding flour. Adding too much flour will result in a dense bun. Knead the dough gently on the oiled surface.
Place the dough in a bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.
After an hour, punch down the dough to release the air inside. Grease your work surface again, turn the dough out, and cut it into equal-sized pieces.
Roll each piece into a smooth dough ball and place them in your favorite greased baking dish, arranging them close together.
Cover the dish and allow the buns to rise again for about 45 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
After the second rise, create the crosses on top of the buns. The authentic Guyanese way is to simply use a pair of kitchen scissors or a knife to cut a cross into the top of each bun.
Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the buns are nice and golden brown on top.
While the buns are baking, make the glaze by combining one part water with two parts sugar in a small saucepan. Heat and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush them generously with the hot sugar glaze.
Allow the buns to cool a little before serving. They will be incredibly pillowy soft on the inside with a rich flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
If you enjoy Hot cross buns, you might also like recipes such as Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast, Slow Cooker Tortellini Meatball Casserole, or Amish Sunday Savior Casserole from our collection.
How to Make Hot Cross Buns Step by Step
-Prepare the dried fruit by chopping the cherries and raisins very finely using a chopper or food processor. This helps distribute the fruit evenly throughout the dough.
-In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients including nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
-In another bowl, add sugar to the warm evaporated milk and stir. Add the yeast to the milk mixture and stir gently.
-Mix in the vanilla extract and melted butter with the milk and yeast mixture until fully combined.
-Add the finely chopped fruit to the bowl of dry ingredients. Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything forms a sticky dough.
-Lightly oil your hands and work surface to handle the dough without adding extra flour. Knead gently until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
-Place the dough into a bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise for about one hour or until doubled in size.
-Punch down the dough to release the air. Transfer it onto an oiled surface and divide it into equal portions.
-Roll each portion into smooth balls and place them in a greased baking dish close together.
-Cover and allow the buns to rise again for about 45 minutes.
-Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
-Cut a cross on the top of each bun using kitchen scissors or a knife.
-Bake for about 25 minutes until the buns are golden brown.
-While baking, prepare the glaze by heating sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves.
-Brush the hot glaze over the buns immediately after removing them from the oven.
-Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Hot Cross Buns Recipe Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sodium | 120 mg |
Conclusion
Making hot cross buns from scratch turned out to be one of the most rewarding baking experiences in my kitchen.
The warm spices, sweet fruit, and soft texture create a comforting homemade treat that feels both special and familiar. Once you taste Hot cross buns fresh from the oven with their glossy glaze,
Looking for inspiration? Visit Elise Chef on Pinterest to explore beautifully curated high-fiber recipes and discover your next healthy habit.