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Homemade Soft and Spiced Hot Cross Buns for Easter Baking
Soft and Spiced Hot Cross Buns, made from scratch with raisins, peel, and a warm glaze, are the perfect Easter bake.
There’s something comforting about a tray of homemade hot cross buns cooling on the counter. The dough is soft, the spices are warm, and if you don’t get a little flour on your shirt while making them… did you even bake? These are the kind of buns you tear apart with your hands and eat while they’re still a touch warm.
Why You’ll Love these Soft and Spiced Hot Cross Buns:
- Soft, fluffy dough packed with warm spice.
- Real raisins and peel for classic Easter flavour.
- Make-ahead friendly, they reheat beautifully.
- Sticky glaze and sweet icing for that signature finish.
These buns are soft, fluffy, and deliciously fragrant. Create your own Soft and Spiced Hot Cross Buns this weekend.
Print
Soft and Spiced Hot Cross Buns
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Proofing time: 135 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours
- Yield: 15 depending on size 1x
- Category: Cake, Cupcakes, Cookies and Tarts
- Method: Moderate
Description
There’s something special about making hot cross buns from scratch, messy counters, floury hands, and that warm cinnamon smell sneaking through the kitchen. These buns are soft, gently spiced, and studded with plump raisins and peel.
Ingredients
Buns
- 3/4 cup whole milk, warmed (just above body temp)
- 10 g instant dry yeast
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temp
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 3/4 cups cake flour
- 1 tsp lemon zest, finely grated
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup mixed peel, diced
- Glaze:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Icing Crosses:
- 3/4 cup icing sugar, sifted
- 1 tbsp milk (plus a drop or two extra if needed)
Instructions
- Pour 3/4 cup of warm milk into a large mixing bowl and stir in 10g of yeast and 1/3 cup of sugar.
- Let it rest for a minute, then whisk in the 3 eggs and 1/2 cup oil.
- Add 3 3/4 cups cake flour, 1 tsp lemon zest, 3/4 tsp salt, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp allspice, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp ginger. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead with a dough hook for about 5 minutes (or 10 minutes by hand).
- Once it starts to feel elastic but still soft, add in the 1/2 cup raisins and 1/4 cup mixed peel.
- Knead just until they’re tucked in.
- Lightly oil a bowl, pop the dough in, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise for about 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured counter.
- Divide into 15 equal pieces and shape into balls by cupping your hands and rolling against the counter.
- Arrange the buns in a greased 33 x 25 cm baking tray, leaving a little space between each.
- Cover and let rise again for 45 minutes, until puffed.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake the buns for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.
- While the buns are hot, simmer 1/2 cup sugar, 3 tbsp water, and 1 tsp vanilla until the sugar dissolves.
- Brush the hot syrup over the buns. Let them cool in the tray.
- Mix 3/4 cup icing sugar with 1 tbsp milk to a thick pipeable icing (add a drop more milk if needed).
- Pipe crosses over the cooled buns. Let the icing set.
Notes
Created, prepared, tried, and tested by Gail
Raisins, peel, and warmth in every bite. Bake Soft and Spiced Hot Cross Buns today.
Soft and Spiced Hot Cross Buns offer the perfect balance of soft dough, warm spices, and sweet glaze. Anyone will enjoy baking and sharing these buns, making every morning feel cozy and special.
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