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A pan of hot cross buns with glaze and a white cross on top.

Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are made from a spiced yeast dough, raisins, and have an added sweetness from brown sugar.
5 from 13 votes
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Additional Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 12 -14 rolls
Author: Hezzi-D

Ingredients

For the buns:

  • 3/4 c. whole milk 110 degrees
  • 2 1/4 teaspoon dry active yeast
  • 1/2 c. brown sugar
  • 1/3 c. unsalted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 3 1/2 c. flour
  • 1/2 c. raisins
  • 1/2 c. craisins

For the cross:

  • 1/2 c. flour
  • 6-8 Tablespoons water

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl combine the warm milk and the yeast. Mix and let sit for 5 minutes or until it becomes foamy.
  • Add the brown sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and 1 cup of flour to the milk mixture.
  • Use a dough hook or paddle attachment and mix with a stand mixer on low speed for 1 minute or until just combined.
  • Add the remaining flour, raisins, and craisins, and continue to mix on low speed for 2-3 minutes. Dough should be soft and a little sticky.
  • Turn the dough onto a flour covered surface and knead for 5 minutes.
  • Spray a large bowl with cooking spray and place the ball of dough in the bowl. Cover and let rise 1-2 hours or until the dough has almost doubled in size.
  • Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan or 2 nine inch baking pans. Set aside.
  • Punch down the dough and divide into 12-14 pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a ball shape and pinch together the seam at the bottom.. Place the rolls, seam side down, in the prepared baking pan.
  • Cover and let the rolls rise for 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and water for the flour cross. You want the paste to be thick enough to pipe and hold its shape. Place the mixture in a piping bag or zip top baggie and pipe a cross on top of each roll.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the buns are golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and cool. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • If you'd like to make a glaze combine 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with 1-2 Tablespoons orange juice and mix well. Brush over top of the buns.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction