Traditional Hot Cross Buns

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Quick breads Medium

Soft enriched buns scented with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, with currants and orange zest, a flour-paste cross and a shiny apricot glaze. Makes 12 buns in about 3 hr 27 min.

Prep 35 min

Cook 22 min

Cooling 2 hr 30 min

Total 3 hr 27 min

Yield 12 buns

Ingredients

Adjust yield

buns

4 cups (500 g)bread flour
¼ oz (7 g)instant yeast
⅓ cup (60 g)sugar
¾ tsp (5 g)fine salt
1 ½ tsp (4 g)ground cinnamon
½ tsp (1 g)ground nutmeg
¾ tsp (2 g)ground allspice
1 cup (250 ml)whole milk, warmed
1 (50 g)egg, large
¼ cup (60 g)unsalted butter, softened
4 oz (120 g)currants
2 tsp (4 g)orange zest
6 tbsp (50 g)all-purpose flour
3 ½ tbsp (55 ml)water, for the cross
2 tbsp (40 g)apricot jam, strained
1 tbsp (15 ml)water, for the glaze

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Instructions

Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and spices. Add the milk, egg and butter and knead 8 to 10 minutes (or 5 minutes in a mixer) until smooth and elastic.
Knead in the currants and zest. Cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour, until doubled.
Divide into 12 equal balls and arrange in a buttered 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) pan. Cover and rise 45 minutes until puffy and touching.
Heat the oven to 375 F (190 C).
Stir the cross flour and water into a smooth thick paste, put it in a piping bag or a zip bag with a corner snipped, and pipe a cross on each bun.
Bake 20 to 22 minutes until deep golden and the buns sound hollow when tapped (200 F / 93 C inside).
Warm the jam and water, brush over the hot buns, and cool slightly before serving.

Tips

Warm the milk only to lukewarm; hot milk kills yeast.
Soak the currants in hot water 10 minutes and drain for plumper fruit.
Make the cross paste thick enough to hold its line.
Good with tea and butter.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make traditional hot cross buns?

Plan on 35 minutes of prep and 22 minutes of cooking, plus 2 hours 30 minutes to chill. The recipe makes 12 buns.

How should I store traditional hot cross buns?

Best the day they are made. Wrap and keep up to 2 days, or freeze up to 2 months; split and toast to refresh.

Can I make traditional hot cross buns ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Serve it with tea and butter.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

243 Calories / serving

6.7g Fat

40.5g Carbs

6.0g Protein

15.8g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~2916 cal · 80g fat · 486g carbs · 72g protein · 190g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.