Search locations or food
OR
Already have an account? Log in
OR
Authentic Hot Cross Buns Recipe England, Europe
JUMP TO RECIPEWe strongly advise you to read the cooking tips before jumping to the recipe though
Introduction & history
In the United Kingdom, hot cross buns are most commonly consumed during Lent and are a must on Good Friday, when they are prepared and eaten on the same day, as the mark of the end of Lent. The buns are made with an enriched, sweet, and yeasted dough that is studded with raisins and/or currants, and spiced with the so-called mixed spice, typically a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. In the past, the cross on the buns was made with a knife, but today, the cross is made with either shortcrust pastry or a mix of flour and water. Crosses made with sugar icing are also quite common in recipes today. Once the cross is applied, the buns are baked and then brushed with, traditionally, a sugar syrup glaze. But, honey glaze or apricot jam are often used for the same purpose. Typically, hot cross buns are eaten toasted, slathered with a generous amount of butter, and served with a cup of tea.
Cooking tips
-
key ingredients
Hot cross buns are typically made with currants, raisins, or sultanas, although often recipes will call for dried cranberries, especially outside the UK, which is not in line with tradition. Before being added to the dough, currants, raisins, and sultanas can be rehydrated in tea, citrus juice, or rum. Another common ingredient is mixed peel, a British staple, which is basically candied orange and ... Read more -
spices
Besides mixed spice, hot cross bun recipes will also often call for cardamom and extra amounts of cinnamon. Also, some recipes do not call for mixed spice, but only for cinnamon or allspice, for example. Saffron is also common in recipes. If used, the liquid ingredients, typically milk, can be infused with spices. -
mixed spice
Mixed spice most commonly consists of an equal amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice but can also include other spices. To make mixed spice you can also use the following recipe: mix 1 tbsp ground allspice, 1 tbsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp ground nutmeg, 2 tsp ground mace, 1 tsp ground cloves, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 tsp ground ginger. -
method
For a lighter and softer bread, rub the fat into the flour before adding any liquid. For the same reason, the dough is often proved for a long time; or, at least twice, once when the dough is made and a second time after the dough has been shaped into individual buns. The dough, once made, should be on the sticky side, so if your dough is stiffer, add more liquid. When arranging the buns on the tray,... Read more -
shaping the buns
To get perfectly round buns, first, tuck the sides of the dough underneath. Then, place it on a lightly floured surface, cup it with your hand and roll it around until you get a smooth round bun. -
the crosses
Traditionally, the crosses are made with shortcrust pastry. Still, today’s recipes often call for a mix of flour and water or sugar icing. Because these two have a more runny consistency, they are piped onto the buns. If piping the crosses, do not make a large hole in the piping bag, as the mixture for the crosses will expand during baking. -
the glaze
When out of the oven, the buns are rather dull-looking and need to be livened up with a glaze. Traditionally, a mix of sugar and water is used, but nowadays, honey or apricot jam glaze are more common. The apricot jam needs to be heated before it’s brushed onto the buns. -
serving
Hot cross buns are served with tea and typically eaten toasted, slathered with a generous amount of butter.
Hot Cross Buns
PREP 45min
COOK 25min
RESTING 30min
READY IN 1h 40min
This recipe shows how to make the traditional, most classic hot cross buns. You can use the mixed peel and grated orange zest or leave them out. If you’d like to make any modifications, check out the cooking tips for some instructions and inspiration.
Ingredients
4 cups (480g) bread (strong) flour
a pinch of salt
2 tsp mixed spice
6 tbsp butter
2 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
1/4 cup (50g) sugar
1 egg
1 cup (240 ml) warm milk (30 seconds in the microwave will do)
1 cup (160g) dried seedless raisins
50g (1.75 oz) mixed peel, optional
grated zest of 1 orange, to taste, optional
FOR CROSSES
1 cup (120g) flour
3 tbsp cold water
GLAZE
1 tbsp boiling water
1 tbsp sugar
Preparation
Step 1/6
Add the flour, the salt, and the mixed spice to a large bowl. Stir to combine. Work the butter into the mixture by rubbing the butter and the mixture between your fingers until it resembles breadcrumbs. Combine the milk and the egg and beat with a whisker, then add to the bowl with flour. Next, add the sugar and the yeast and mix into a dough, then knead for 10 minutes to get a smooth and pliable dough. Finally, knead in the raisins and the orange zest and mixed peel, if desired.
Step 2/6
Divide the dough into 10 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. First, tuck the sides of the dough underneath; then, on a lightly floured surface, cup the piece of dough with your hand and roll the dough intensively until you get the perfectly round shape. Repeat until you've shaped all the pieces of dough.
Step 3/6
To make the mixture for the crosses, combine the water and the flour to make a soft dough. Roll the dough very thinly, then cut it into strips. Moisten each strip with a little water, then attach to each bun in a cross shape, one across the other.
Step 4/6
Take a piece of plastic wrap the size of the baking tray and brush one side lightly with oil. Cover the tray with the plastic wrap and the oiled side down. Place the tray in a warm place and wait for the buns to double in size.
Step 5/6
Bake in a 390°F/200°C oven for 20 minutes.
Step 6/6
When done, take the tray out of the oven. Mix the ingredients for the glaze and brush with it the buns.
Other authentic recipes
Rating And Comments
Rate It
Wanna try?
Add To List