Get your

inspiration 

from 

EsmeSalon Recipes

Get access to 1000+ homemade tried and tested recipes by home chefs

By subscribing, I agree to receive a newsletter, exclusive content and free gifts, and declare that I have read the privacy policy and terms and conditions.

Amazing Raisin Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns

Please Spread the love, Sharing is Caring!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Please note that EsmeSalon may have a financial relationship with some of the vendors we mention in this post which means we may get compensated financially or in kind, at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through any link in this post. Please refer to our Affiliate Disclosure and Privacy Policy should you require any additional information.


Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns are a staple for Easter mornings, special brunches, and buffets.

Hot Cross Buns

A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun usually made with fruit, marked with a cross on the top, and has been traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and the United States.

Amazing Raisin Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
an image of a tinfoil tray filled with Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns

Amazing Raisin Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: EsmeSalon
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Proof Time: 2 hours
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Cake, Cupcakes, Cookies and Tarts
  • Method: Moderate
  • Cuisine: United Kingdom

Description

Indulge in the irresistible flavors of our Amazing Raisin Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns! These soft, golden buns are packed with succulent raisins, a hint of spice, and a touch of sweetness, promising an unforgettable taste sensation in every bite. Don’t let this scrumptious treat pass you by. Your taste buds will thank you.

So, what are you waiting for? Get baking and enjoy these Amazing Raisin Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns today and let the flavor adventure begin!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Dough

  • 4 c (560g) white bread flour (I use cake/all-purpose flour)
  • 1 packet (10 g) of instant yeast
  • 5 ml cinnamon
  • 10 ml mixed spices (pumpkin spice works well)
  • 3 ml ground nutmeg
  • 45 ml sugar
  • 5 ml salt
  • 100 g raisins, soaked in boiling water for 10 minutes
  • Finely grated peel of 1 orange
  • 250 ml warm milk
  • 1 extra-large egg
  • 3 ml vanilla essence
  • 60 ml melted butter

Cross

  • Coldwater

Glazing

  • 50 ml marmalade (I use apricot jam)
  • 30 ml boiling water
  • 30 ml whiskey ( you can substitute with water)

Instructions

Dough

  1. Mix the flour, yeast, spices, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl, and add the drained raisins and finely grated peel. Mix well.
  2. Lightly beat the milk, egg, vanilla essence, and butter together and add to the dry ingredients.
  3. Mix to form a dough.
  4. Invert the dough onto a floured surface.
  5. Knead it for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. * I use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
  6. Put the dough in a bowl well greased with oil and cover it loosely.
  7. Let the dough rise for about hours in a warm place, until its volume has more or less doubled.* I put it in a cold oven with the interior light turned on. It takes less than 2 hours to double.
  8. Knead the dough briefly and divide it into 12 equal pieces. * The dough will be a bit sticky. I rub oil or butter on my hands to keep it from sticking.
  9. Roll each piece into a ball and pack the balls into a medium-sized oven pan (loosely next to each other, not tightly against each other). * My pan is 9×13”. Cover lightly again and leave to rise until the pan is full.
  10. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 375°F

Cross

  1. Mix the cake flour with a little cold water until it is just runny enough to be able to pipe with a piping bag.
  2. Pipe crosses on the rolls.
  3. Bake for about 30 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. * If you have an instant-read thermometer, it should read 190F/ 90C.

Glazing

  1. Heat the marmalade, water, and whiskey to boiling point and simmer for a minute or two.
  2. Brush the glaze over the buns as soon as they come out of the oven.
  3. Serve warm or at room temperature with butter.

Notes

Prepared, tried, and tested by Christl from The Recipe Hunter: Tried and Tested Recipes from Home Chefs 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 12.8 g
  • Sodium: 218 mg
  • Fat: 5.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 51.7 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 7.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 26.3 mg
Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

I shared this post via Homestead Blog Hop 460 and “Anything Goes” Pink Saturday – September 2, 2023; Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop 77

Similar recipes

an image of a tinfoil tray filled with Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns
Amazing Raisin Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns

Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.

If you try out this delightful recipe, please let me know, rate it, and tag me on Instagram at @_esmesalon. I’m excited to see your amazing recreations, and I can’t get enough of those mouthwatering photos!

We happily share our tasty and fantastic recipes and are excited to sprinkle some love by sharing our posts at these awesome Linky Parties.

Copyright © 2025 esmesalon.com – All rights reserved.

  • Make tomorrow more amazing than today!
  • Just believe in yourself and dream big.
  • Do not give up on your hopes. Take care always.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

I, Esme Slabbert, am the author and creator of this site, EsmeSalon. It is unlawful to re-use any content from this blog, without my written permission. Please es**@*******on.com">contact me should you wish to discuss it further.

MISSION STATEMENT

My goal is to provide the best homemade recipes that are healthy for all families to enjoy. I also endeavor to showcase and share other bloggers and promote them on my Blog.

6 thoughts on “Amazing Raisin Spicy Sweet Hot Cross Buns”

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star