Homemade Hot Cross Buns originated in England, and are a traditional treat enjoyed at Easter time. I love the hot cross buns sold at a local Salt Lake bakery, Mrs. Backers, and have been on a mission to recreate this classic sweet roll in my kitchen!
tradition, tradition
The tradition of hot cross buns dates back to the 16th century with monks baking rolls to honor Easter and marking the tops of rolls with a cross. They made the cross by using a sharp knife cut on the dough before being baked. Later, the cross was made with additional strips of dough placed on top of the rolls or buns, and now most rolls are decorated with icing in a cross pattern after baking.
It is said the rolls contain spices ( cinnamon, cardamom, allspice, etc) in remembrance of the spices used to treat Jesus’ body for burial. Hot Cross Buns were traditionally served on Good Friday, the Friday just prior to Easter Sunday.
Name this tune, still just pennies to make
When I posted a photo of Homemade Hot Cross Buns on Instagram, my cute friend, Jamie quoted the nursery song “Hot Cross Buns” do you know this song?? Here are the lyrics…
“Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns! One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns. If you have no daughters, give them to your sons. One a penny two a penny, Hot cross buns!”
The buns cost more than a penny now! In most bakeries they cost anywhere from $1 to $3 each, but you can make them for less than $3 a dozen. That’s a quarter per bun. Not a penny, but fairly reasonable!
move over orange rolls, homemade hot cross buns on the menu
We celebrate Easter in our home with a family brunch, or a dinner after church. This year, instead of making our traditional orange rolls, I’m making Homemade Hot Cross Buns. We are a family steeped in food traditions, so wish me luck! I’m guessing most of our family will love this recipe for Homemade Hot Cross Buns, so they won’t complain when they sink their teeth into one of these soft, sweet rolls. I love this recipe because it is in between the traditional dinner roll and a sweet roll. Sweet, without being too sweet. Perfect for any dinner or brunch menu.
Hot cross buns are sweet, with a bit of spice, a few currants and topped with an icing cross. If you love rolls and sweet rolls, you may want to double or triple this recipe. One recipe makes a dozen, and most people will want at least one bun. Homemade hot Cross Buns are a simple dough recipe, no rolling out or filling- just shape the dough with your hands and place in the pan. After baking, top the rolls with a simple icing and enjoy! Give the recipe a try early in the week so you can taste for yourself. If you’re like me, you’ll have a new found tradition.
Homemade Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/3 cup dry milk powder
- 1 tablespoon dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 1/2-3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup currants or raisins
- 1 egg, beaten (for top of buns)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons cream or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- dash salt
Instructions
- Place warm water in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add dry milk to warm water. Whisk together.
- Sprinkle yeast on top of water and dry milk. Add 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit until yeast begins to bubble, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add melted butter, egg, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, cinnamon and 2 cups of flour.
- Mix with paddle attachment until all ingredients are incorporated. Stop mixer and scrape down sides and bottom of mixture. Add remaining 1/2 cup of flour. Mix on low until flour disappears. If the dough is still very sticky, add more flour, in 1/4 cup increments, until dough is barely not sticky. I sometimes use up to 1 extra cup of flour in addition to the 2 1/2 cups. This will all depend on your climate, weather, etc.
- Add currants and mix in. If the mixture is still sticky, add a bit more flour (1-2 tablespoons at a time) until dough is still soft, but not sticky.
- Set bowl in a warm place and cover with towel or saran wrap until double in size, about 1 hour.
- When the dough has risen, remove from bowl and place on a floured surface. Cut the dough in half, and then in half again, so four equal pieces are on the surface.
- Grease a 9×13 pan and set aside.
- Cut each piece of dough in three pieces and shape into a ball. There should be 12 ball of dough in all.
- Place the balls of dough, smooth side up in the greased pan.
- Let raise, covered with a light towel for 30-45 minutes in a warm place in kitchen.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees with the rack in center of oven.
- When the roll are ready to bake, beat egg and lightly brush rolls with egg. Place pan in oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until rolls are golden on top.
- While rolls are baking, whisk powdered sugar, cream, vanilla and salt together in bowl until smooth.
- Scoop the icing into a small Ziplock bag and squeeze the icing down to one corner of the bag.
- Snip a small corner of the bag off.
- When the rolls have baked and cooled for about 5 minutes, make a cross on the top of the bun with the icing.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- The amount of flour added to the recipe will depend on the humidity, the type/brand of flour used, if you use a mixer or mix the buns by hand. Because of various factors, the amount of flour added can fluctuate by 1/2 to 1 cup. I have found in my climate, 2 1/2 cups of flour is the perfect amount.
- Warm the bowl used to mix the dough by running under hot water and then drying before using. This will help the dough get off to a good start in the rising process!
- I like to use cream instead of milk in the icing. If you want to use milk, but still want the thick consistency of the icing in photos, you may use less milk or add 1 tablespoon of melted butter to the icing mixture. Cream gives the icing a thicker texture than milk.
- The buns are best when eaten fresh out of the oven. If you need to make them early in the day, they can be reheated. For best results, underbake the rolls and then reheat before serving. I suggest baking at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Before serving, reheat oven to 325 and bake for 5-8 minutes . Remove and top with icing.
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. I’d love to see a photo, tag @abountifulkitchen on Instagram!
Andrea
Thank you so much for this recipe! I just made them for Easter yesterday, and they were perfect! The recipe is easy to follow and the buns are fluffy and delicious.
Linds
Oh, wow. These were just delicious! I asked my daughter to make them while I worked on other dishes, and she crushed em. Easy to follow, super yummy. Thanks a million! Ps: we think we’ll try them next time with candied orange zest
Lisa States
I have the quirkiest family who won’t eat anything with raisins or candies fruit in it. Do you think chocolate chips would work if added at the last minute?
Si Foster
Hi Lisa, yes I think they would still turn out great, but I would use the same amount of chocolate chips that the recipe calls for if you were using raisins (1/2 cup). Thank you for asking!
xo
Si
Tracey Nell
I almost passed out when I saw the picture for this recipe. It was my goal to make hot-cross buns for Easter. I am South African (currently living in Utah) and wanted to try make these.
I followed this recipe and it worked out fabulously. The dough was perfect and the balance between fruit and spices was good.
I will be baking them again. My desire for hot-crosses buns was well satisfied!
Jenny Marsh
Scrumptious! I didn’t have powdered milk so I decided to chance it and substitute a little over a cup of whole milk instead. They turned out perfect! Kids loved them!
Si Foster
Jenny,
I’m so glad this recipe got the “two thumbs up” from the family!
Thanks for reading ABK and thank you for your positive comments.
xo,
Si
Clarisa
Easy to follow recipe and yummy! Will definitely be making these again!
abountifulkitchen
Thanks Clarisa! I so appreciate your feedback!
xo
Si
Ashlee ward
d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.
These rolls were so fluffy, soft and easy to make. My family gobbled them up. Great flavor! Love this ❤️
Michelle Doherty
My Mom made the best Hot Cross Buns ever! I have never found any like them. They had a lemon extract, and mace flavoring to the dough and she always added chopped pecans or walnuts and candied fruits to the dough. She topped them off with either frosting crosses or just a simple cinnamon sugar and mace mixture. after cutting the rolls on the top in a cross prior to baking. I miss them so much. I have made them many times but the family is not into candied fruits, so I will have to use craisins and other dried fruit, but it will not be the same!