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Lightly Spiced Hot Cross Buns that are easy to make, and PERFECT for Easter!
I LOVE HOT CROSS BUNS. I will say, Hot Cross Buns are for ALL of the year, not just for Easter, but I may be a little controversial in saying that. Yes, they are pushed out much more at Easter time, but I loooove them all year!
In my mind, you can’t really beat a lightly toasted hot cross bun with a bit of butter, or even a little jam… or even a little cheese. The shock and horror that must be present on some peoples faces as they read that… but trust me, a little cheddar and YUMMY.
One good/amazing/delicious thing about Easter however is how the shops have recently started producing epically flavoured Hot Cross Buns, and I am here for it. Anything bread themed and I am happy.
Waitrose did an amazing Chocolate Orange flavour last year, and Marks and Spencers have regularly done some Chocolate & Salted Caramel and the gooey level is BEYOND. I use them in my Hot Cross Bun Pudding just fyi!
The thing is, as much as I simply and utterly ADORE the funky flavoured Hot Cross Buns, I thought it was only dutifully right to post my version of a classic Hot Cross Bun first, and then post an experimental one later on!
Also, I feel like I must point out that I do love a classic hot cross bun just as much as the other flavours, I am not shunning my own recipe post already.. I’ve just had many a request over the years for a Hot Cross Bun recipe so thought it was high time that I shared it!
One thing that might be another slightly controversial thing is that I much prefer the cheaper Hot Cross buns that come in sixes, and in the flimsy plastic style wrapping from the supermarket bakery, in comparison to the ‘posh’ ones you can buy.
I like raisins and sultanas, but personally things such as Mixed Peel or too many lumpy bits inside the Hot Cross Buns is too far for me. In other bakes, these ingredients can work well… but it’s just too much for me in my buns! (notes in the notes section however if you do prefer it)
I love Ginger, Cinnamon and Nutmeg in my Hot Cross Buns, and Raisins. It’s quite simple a mix really, but with a dash of Orange Zest in there too, you have a delicious and winning bake.
If you have never made Bread before, this is a bit of a faffy thing to start with in comparison to just a loaf of bread, but they are 100000% worth it! It’s worth the waiting around whilst the dough proves!
I use my Kitchenaid Mixer (affiliate) with the Dough Hook (affiliate) and it’s SO easy to make! You can easily do it allllll by hand, but eh… I’m lazy. Also, after having rubbed the butter into the dry ingredients, my arms are tired?! Idk. I’m making this up.
Honestly, if you have ever fancied making your own Hot Cross Buns, then give these beauties a go! And then enjoy them to your hearts content! x

Hot Cross Buns!
Ingredients
Hot Cross Buns
- 225 ml Whole Milk
- 500 g Strong White Bread Flour
- 65 g Caster Sugar
- 8 g Dried Active Yeast/Fast Action Yeast
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Ginger
- 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
- Zest of 1 Orange
- 50 g Unsalted Butter (cold)
- 200 g Raisins
- 2 Medium Eggs
Topping
- 30 g Flour
- 30 ml Water
- 1 tbsp Apricot Jam
Instructions
- Warm your Milk in a pan till it's just steaming.
- In a bowl, add your Flour, Salt, Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Sugar, Yeast and Orange Zest - add in you Butter and rub between your fingers so the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
- To the bowl, add your warmed milk, and the Eggs and Raisins and mix it all together.
- Knead for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is smooth, elastic and springy to touch. I use my Kitchenaid with the Dough Hook!
- Transfer to a clean but lightly oiled bowl, and cover the bowl with clingfilm. Leave to rise until doubled in size - usually takes 1-2 hours.
- Once risen, remove from the bowl and knead lightly on a floured surface to 'knock it back'.
- Split evenly into 12 balls (Mine weighed 98g each) and add on to a lined tray with about a centremetre gap between the balls.
- Cover with lightly oiled cling film, and leave to rise whilst your oven preheats to 200C/180C fan. I usually leave them 45-60 minutes!
- Once at the temperature - whisk together the flour and water, and carefully pipe on to form the crosses.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 200C/180C Fan!
- Once baked - brush lightly with apricot jam if you like them sticky and shiny and then leave to cool fully.
Notes
- This recipe will make 12 medium/regular sized Hot Cross Buns!
- The spices are optional, but also changeable. You can use Nutmeg, All Spice, etc, etc. You can also switch out some of the Raisins for Mixed Peel, or Sultanas!
- This recipe is based on the All Recipes recipe.
- These are best on the day of baking, but will last a couple of days at room temperature but covered.
- You can add in 100g of chocolate chips if you like to make them a smidge chocolatey!
Enjoy!
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J x
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45 Comments
Lynne
February 27, 2021 at 11:43 amThank you for the perfect Hot Cross Bun recipe ! This is my second batch because I wanted to check the first wasn’t a fluke !!
Jane Colleton
February 24, 2021 at 8:45 pmI followed the recipe exactly but the buns are very hard – more like a rock cake! Any ideas where I have gone wrong. Taste is fine but it’s just too hard!
Jane's Patisserie
February 25, 2021 at 1:31 pmThey could be under proved, but also very over baked!
Gemma Reed
February 21, 2021 at 11:52 pmI made these today and they are a big hit . So light, fruity and lightly spiced.
The recipe was easy to follow and make . I wanted to send a picture of them to you but I couldn’t. Thanks for the recipe
Julia Cleaver
February 21, 2021 at 11:32 amHi Jane. Random question but I can’t eat raisins/sultanas and I really miss hot cross buns! Do you think this recipe would work without the fruit? Thank you xx
Jane's Patisserie
February 21, 2021 at 1:42 pmYes it definitely would – leave it out or substitute for something else such as chocolate chips!
Julia Cleaver
February 26, 2021 at 2:49 pmGreat. Thanks so much. You’ve made my Easter better already 😍
Lyn
February 18, 2021 at 2:11 pmJust made a batch and turned out perfectly fluffy and huge! I used the dough cycle on my bread machine as I have an injured wrist so can’t knead properly which worked out well. Only needed to be shaped and one more prove before baking. Great recipe, I will experiment with choc chips next time. Thank you.
caroline
February 18, 2021 at 11:11 amThis was my first time making these and it won’t be my last.
This recipe is so easy to follow and the buns turned out great.
Thankyou.
Jo
February 16, 2021 at 12:27 pmI followed this recipe but did not double in size what may I have done wrong.
Jane's Patisserie
February 16, 2021 at 8:03 pmIf the yeast was correctly done, and the correct ingredients were used, it will have just been that it needed longer. Provings times really can vary but especially in the cold weather of winter!
Pam
February 7, 2021 at 9:52 pmHi
Would it be possible to make these gluten free?
Thanks
Jane's Patisserie
February 8, 2021 at 8:52 amI haven’t tried these gluten free before so I am unsure!
Ellie
January 29, 2021 at 6:36 pmWould it be possible to make these chocolate flavoured?
Jane's Patisserie
January 30, 2021 at 7:49 pmThe easiest way is to use chocolate chips in the buns, compared to a chocolate dough as that can be heavier and change the proving time (I am posting a chocolate hot cross bun in the coming weeks though if you can wait!) x
Eiva
May 17, 2020 at 2:55 pmLovely! Just so you know there is a typo at number 6, it says boil instead of bowl :). Thank you
Maisie
April 26, 2020 at 11:39 amHi Jane,
Can I use semi-skimmed milk for this recipe? It was all I was able to get hold of!
Jane's Patisserie
April 26, 2020 at 3:17 pmYes you can – whole milk is just generally better for baking as it can help prevent things from splitting! x
Maisie
April 27, 2020 at 9:35 pmThank you! These turned out brilliantly I will definitely be making them again!
Charlotte
April 13, 2020 at 1:36 pmHi Jane, I made these for Easter and oh my goodness! They are a hit with my family, in fact, my mum has requested I make them every week!
Thank you so much for the recipe, every recipe of yours that I’ve tried has never failed me, you’re absolutely brilliant!
Jane's Patisserie
April 13, 2020 at 1:48 pmAhhh yay!! I’m so glad they were a hit!! xx
Niki
April 5, 2020 at 3:15 pmHello Jen,
Can i use fresh yeast? And how do i activate it?
Many thanks
😊
Jane's Patisserie
April 5, 2020 at 4:01 pmYes, you can use fresh yeast! Usually, you use double the weight for fresh yeast compared to dry so you’ll need 16g, and add the yeast to the warmed milk and stir and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes!
Niki
April 8, 2020 at 6:25 pmHello Jane,
Thanks for your reply!! I just made them with fresh yeast and following your advice!! OH… MY GOD!! They look and taste amazing!! Another success following your recipes!! 😊
Jane's Patisserie
April 9, 2020 at 10:27 amAhh yay! I’m so glad!! x
Matt
March 19, 2020 at 9:11 pmI decided to make some hot cross buns today (as well as your fabulous Terry’s chocolate orange cookies, always a winner!), having tried a few times in the past but never quite getting them right.
Today I used your recipe and method (even down to making sure they’re the same weight!), and they’re the best ones I’ve ever made. All even in size, baked just right and light and airy in texture. I shall definitely make these ones again. 🙂
Jane's Patisserie
March 20, 2020 at 8:49 amAhh, that’s amazing!! I’m so glad that they were a hit!
Liv
April 10, 2020 at 4:38 pmHiya Jane, can you use almond milk or any other type of milk over whole milk?
Jane's Patisserie
April 10, 2020 at 5:11 pmIf using dairy milk, you should use whole milk. However, dairy alternatives should work.
Cindy Allen
January 31, 2021 at 1:05 pmHello
Loving your recipes, thanks for sharing.
Can I ask, why 8g of yeast? The packets are 7 so I’m wasting a lot. I made 6 hot cross buns and nearly used a whole packet. They came out well but thinking of making the 12 next week so want to make sure on quantity beforehand. Thank you
Jane's Patisserie
February 1, 2021 at 10:08 amI use a pot of yeast which I weigh myself rather than sachets x
Andrea
July 2, 2019 at 8:21 pmI have been wanting to have a go at making hot crosss buns for ages but always thought they would be difficult. Followed your recipe exactly and they turned out amazing, everyone loved them. We ate them warm out of the oven on the day and had the rest toasted the day after. Won’t be buying shop bought ones again
Jane's Patisserie
July 2, 2019 at 9:28 pmAhh yay! That’s amazing!
Jenny
April 23, 2019 at 7:05 pmCan the dried active yeast go in dry without being activated in water first?
Jane's Patisserie
April 23, 2019 at 9:09 pmThe one I use I just throw in! Or you can use fast action yeast!
Megan Felton
April 18, 2019 at 2:38 pmLoved this recipe!! Turned out perfect and all the family loved them. I’ll be making again but wondered if leaving to rise overnight would be ok to save me time on the day?
Jane's Patisserie
April 18, 2019 at 7:11 pmOne of the proves can be done overnight in the fridge – obviously if it’s the second one, you will still have needed to prove it the first time! x
Zoe
April 17, 2019 at 6:03 pmI found my dough extremely wet with this recipe. I’ve finally managed to knead it but only just. I did double check the measurements too. I’m waiting for them to prove so hopefully they’ll be ok
Jane's Patisserie
April 17, 2019 at 7:39 pmOh really? I haven’t had this and I’ve made them many times! – however, with all bread doughs, sometimes it requires less or more liquid, but it’s not often it should really affect it too much. The base rule of baking bread however, is just to keep on kneading and it’ll come together! It may take longer, or less time, but it will definitely come back if everything was weighed correctly!
Zoe
April 18, 2019 at 5:57 pmThey turned out really well. Lovely. Maybe my eggs were a bit too big 🧐😋
Karen
April 16, 2019 at 8:22 pmMy first ever Hot Cross Buns!!!
Super easy to make and very tasty. Next time, yes there’s going to be a next time I’m going to add more spice.
Sandra
April 14, 2019 at 4:59 pmHi Jane do you think it’s possible to prepare the dough the night before and then baked in the morning?
Jane's Patisserie
April 14, 2019 at 8:16 pmYes you can do the first prove in the fridge over night, or the second. x
Nasim Khan
April 11, 2019 at 2:26 pmAwesome recipe, next week our festive month Ramadan starts i will definitely try this , thanks for sharing
Shan
April 10, 2019 at 10:05 amCannot wait to make these! 😊 Been waiting for this recipe. Thank you! 😍
Maybe next year you could do a recipe with chocolate and caramel based on the M&S ones 😋