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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
- 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
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
- 60 ml cake flour
- Coldwater
Glazing
- 50 ml marmalade (I use apricot jam)
- 30 ml boiling water
- 30 ml whiskey ( you can substitute with water)
Instructions
Dough
- Mix the flour, yeast, spices, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl, and add the drained raisins and finely grated peel. Mix well.
- Lightly beat the milk, egg, vanilla essence, and butter together and add to the dry ingredients.
- Mix to form a dough.
- Invert the dough onto a floured surface.
- Knead it for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. * I use a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- Put the dough in a bowl well greased with oil and cover it loosely.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 375°F
Cross
- Mix the cake flour with a little cold water until it is just runny enough to be able to pipe with a piping bag.
- Pipe crosses on the rolls.
- Bake for about 30 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. * If you have an instant-read thermometer, it should read 190F/ 90C.
Glazing
- Heat the marmalade, water, and whiskey to boiling point and simmer for a minute or two.
- Brush the glaze over the buns as soon as they come out of the oven.
- 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
I shared this post via Homestead Blog Hop 460 and “Anything Goes” Pink Saturday – September 2, 2023; Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop 77
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I have never actually tried hot cross buns. Thank you for telling me how to make them!
Thank you for sharing your recipe at the Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop!
Laurie
Hi there Laurie, hope you will then try this recipe and make your very own Hot Cross Buns
Finally the weather is cool enough to use the oven! These look like a delicious goodie to try! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Hope your weekend is amazing!
Hi Helen. Thank you so much, yes the weather is getting better at our end as well. Hope you will enjoy this one whenever you get to making it.
Aaaaaah a pity I don’t eat bread anymore coz these look really tasty Esme.
Thanks, as a treat once in a while this is super delicious.