A staple during the season of Lent, these Hot Cross Buns are light and fluffy and the perfect side to your morning tea or coffee.
I’m hoping you guys have some extra currants leftover from the Irish Soda Bread from St. Patrick’s Day because you’re gonna need ’em for these delicious Lenten Hot Cross Buns.
These have always been a staple during the Lenten season at our home growing up.
My Gram was a huge fan, so my mother always made sure she had them to go with her morning tea during the weeks leading up to Easter. You know my mom was not a baker, so they were always from our favorite local bakery. Nonetheless, they were delish.
Hot Cross Buns Ingredients
- currants
- active dry yeast
- granulated sugar
- whole milk
- all-purpose flour
- ground cinnamon
- ground cloves
- nutmeg
- unsalted butter
- egg
- orange
I started making them homemade a few years back when I began to overcome my fear of yeast recipes.
And if you are a regular follower here at the BHK, you know perfecting my skills at breadmaking is an ongoing thing.
I have to say though, this recipe is hot cross bun perfection!
They’re light and fluffy, loaded with currants, a hefty dose of orange zest and warming spices and the perfect side to your morning tea or coffee.
You’ll have to take into account that they take a little more effort to get them to the table, due to the rising time, but they’re worth each and every minute!
Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Hot Cross Buns
The traditional cross on top of the buns is made from a mixture of flour and hot boiling water.
I added that mixture to a small Ziploc bag with one of the corners snipped off and then piped the cross on top of each bun before baking.
I found one tablespoon of grated orange peel gave the buns the perfect amount of orange flavor. You can add more or less upon your liking.
More Delicious Bread Recipes to Enjoy
Hot Cross Buns
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 cups dried currants
- 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm whole milk, 105-110 degrees F
- 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp. grated orange zest
Cross Topping
- 6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 6 Tbsp. hot boiling water
Glaze
- 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Place the dried currants in a medium bowl. Cover with hot water and let soak for 15 minutes. Drain and let stand.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the yeast, 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and all the milk. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add the flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar. Mix on low speed for 1 minute. Add the butter, egg , orange zest and currants and continue to mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and continue to mix for 5 minutes. Transfer the dough to a large bowl, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, turning to coat. Cover with a cotton tea towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the parchment with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Dump the dough onto the work surface and divide into 15 equal pieces. Rotate each piece of dough in a circular motion, cupping your hand over it, to make into a ball. Place the balls on the prepared sheet as pictured. Cover the buns with a tea towel and again, let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place.
- While the buns are rising, combine the cross topping ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Add mixture to a small Ziploc bag. Snip of one of the bottom corners. When the buns are finished with the second rise, pipe crosses on the top of the buns.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, until lightly bronwed.
- While buns are baking combine the glaze ingredients in a small saucepan. bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. When buns are done baking, remove to a wire rack. Brush the tops of warm buns with the glaze. Serve buns warm or at room temperature.
Love the orange zest in here, Mary Ann! Adds such a lovely flavour to baked stuff. Hot cross bun perfection for sure :) Pinned! Happy Monday!
These are incredibly tasty Dawn! They totally remind me of my Gram!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a hot cross bun! I certainly know the nursery rhyme though….:) I love all the flavors in here, especially the orange zest! These turned out lovely- and nice job mastering the yeast dough!
I’m trying Kathy. If you’ve never tried one, you should definitely give the recipe a try! These are quite easy and so delicious. Happy Monday!
These hot cross buns look perfect! And perfectly delicious! I love that you jazzed them up with orange zest and spices.
Thanks so much Chris. I can just picture my Gram enjoying one with her morning tea like when I was a kid!
Will introduce the novelty in my family to enjoy until Easter :-) Thank you very much !
Yay! Hope you all enjoy them!
These look just perfect, Mary Ann! Hot Cross Buns are one of my favourite parts of Easter celebrations :)
They’ll always remind me of my Gram Jennifer!
I’m excited–and a little shocked–that it’s already hot cross buns season. Nothing beats a hot cross bun with butter and a cup of tea, and these look DELICIOUS!
I know, I can’t believe it either Kelsie! Thanks!
I have never had a hot cross bun, and now I can’t wait! These will make a lovely addition to the Easter table!! Pinned!
Really? You’ve got to try them Annie! I bet you’d really enjoy them!
One of my favorite pastries ever Mary Ann! Love that orange peel and the currents are absolutely a must! So happy to hear you’re easing into yeasted dough… it’s so fun to work with and tastes amazing! These buns are perfection!
Thanks so much Traci! I’ve been working hard at perfecting my skills!
Your yeast bread skills look awesome, Mary Ann! I struggle with it, but I think it’s much more a mental thing than actual ability, for me. I love the orange zest in here, too! Always love a hot cross bun!
Thanks Laura! I love them too!
T’he prettiest hot cross buns! These are the perfect treat with plenty of butter! :)
Thanks so much Laura!
Mary Ann, this is a perfect classic recipe for hot cross buns! My Mom would always make these for Easter. So perfect!!
Thanks Katherine!
I’ve had these from a bakery, but you’ve inspired me to try making them at home! Yours look just perfect and they’ll never be fresher than made in your own oven!
Honestly, they’re not difficult at all Marissa! I really enjoy making them!
These Hot Cross Buns are perfection, Mare!!! They look so fluffy and flavorful!! I could definitely eat a few dozen of these in one sitting. No shame! Pinned! Cheers!
Thanks Chey!
I love hot cross bun season! The smell in the kitchen is to die for!!
Will be saving this recipe for a weekend bake for sure :) Thanks for sharing x
Me too Dani! Can’t wait for you to try them!
I would love to have your hot cross buns fresh out of the oven with butter and jam. Yummy!
So good Gerlinde! And not hard to make either!
Those look so dangerously good!
Thanks Matt! I may have enjoyed more than my share!
I’ve never made hot cross buns! These look incredible, I just might have to make them this year!
They’re not hard at all Leigh Ann! Totally worth the effort!
I have a definite fear of baking with yeast, but I guess I’m going to have to overcome that in order to make these fluffy buns! Yum!
They’re not hard at all Leanne!
Mary Ann, these buns look delicious! Love the orange,currants, and spices in them – what lovely flavor they must have. Putting currants on my shopping list so I can make these. Baking at home is so satisfying, isn’t it?
I love baking at home in my cozy little kitchen Kelly! I hope you love these!
I’m not the biggest sweets person, but hot cross buns are one of my favorite things ever!! My mom makes them for me and I love them. Yours look wonderful!!
Awwww! So happy you enjoy them Natasha. Maybe you can bake a batch for her this year!
This is a classic recipe for hot crossed buns, your buns look amazing! ;)
I’ve got good buns and I cannot lie!! Hahaha!
Hot cross buns are synonymous with Easter for us. All the supermarkets start stocking them about a month in advance and we have them for breakfast often. Split, toasted and slathered with butter. SO good. Yours look absolutely awesome Mary Ann!
Thanks so much Alida!
Mmm! I love hot cross buns and I do think that if I follow your recipe, I could do this! I may even have some currents in my pantry. I feel like I’ve also had “store bought” ones that had candied orange peel in them as well. Looking forward to trying this!
You’re going to love this recipe Colleen. They’re totally doable. Hope you enjoy them! Thanks so much for following along!