These soft Hot Cross Buns are a traditional English Easter pastry. They are fluffy, easy to make and ideal to prepare and freeze. And last but not least SO yummy!!

Perfect for Easter brunch or as a coffee snack in the afternoon!

hot cross buns

If you want to try a different kind of bun recipe, you should definitely make these delicious Hot Cross Buns.

Soft, sweet but not too sweet, loaded with flavor like cinnamon or raisins and finished with a fruity apricot glaze.

I mean. Y U M ! !

What makes these hot cross buns different from “normal” brioche buns?

  • In addition to the basic ingredients of a brioche dough, cinnamon, cardamom and some orange zest are added to the dough here.
  • Before the buns bake in the oven, they get their namesake cross – a mixture of flour and water.
  • While still hot, the buns are glazed with a syrup made from apricot jam and water. On the one hand, this makes them shine beautifully, and on the other, it gives them a great, fruity taste. When the buns have cooled down, this mixture has dried and therefore no longer really sticks.

hot cross buns

hot cross buns

This is how the Hot Cross Buns are made:

  1. Place the ingredients for the yeast dough in the bowl of a food processor and knead for about 5 minutes to form a smooth dough.
  2. The dough now rests for 1-2 hours at room temperature (or in the oven at 35°Celsius) until it has doubled in volume.
  3. Put the dough on a floured work surface and divide into 12 equal parts. With a slightly curved hand you now form them into balls.
  4. The round balls now rest for another 30-45 minutes.

5. Before you put them in the oven, mix flour and water to a paste and pipe it with the help of a piping bag (or plastic bag from which you cut off the tip) crosses on the buns.

6. After about 25 minutes, they are done baking.

7. The finish is a glaze of water and apricot jam that you spread on the still hot rolls.

That’s it. The Hot Cross Buns do require a few (easy!) steps, but they are really simple and straightforward.

You’ll be rewarded with incredibly delicious and soft buns. 🙂

soft hot cross buns

soft hot cross buns

soft hot cross buns

Can I prepare the buns?

Yes, you can freeze these soft hot cross buns perfectly. Let them cool completely and then place them in a freezer bag and deflate. When you wanna eat them, take them out of the freezer 2-3 hours beforehand. You can then bake them for 5 minutes in a preheated 90°C oven. They will taste like freshly baked buns!

soft hot cross buns

You want to see more bread and bun recipes? This way:

Rezept drucken
soft hot cross buns
These soft Hot Cross Buns are a traditional English Easter pastry. They are fluffy, easy to make and ideal to prepare and freeze. And last but not least SO yummy!! Perfect for Easter brunch or as a coffee snack in the afternoon!
hot cross buns (englische osterbroetchen)
Votes: 3
Rating: 3.33
You:
Rate this recipe!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Passive Time 2-3 hours
Servings
buns
Ingredients
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour 520 grams
  • 1 1/4 cups milk warm
  • 1/3 cup sugar 70 grams
  • 3,5 tbsp Butter 50 grams, room temperature
  • 1 medium organic egg
  • 1/2 cup raisins 90 grams
  • 7 grams active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom
flour paste for the cross
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 tbsp water or a little bit more if needed
glaze
  • 3 tbsp apricot jam
  • 5 tbsp water
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Passive Time 2-3 hours
Servings
buns
Ingredients
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour 520 grams
  • 1 1/4 cups milk warm
  • 1/3 cup sugar 70 grams
  • 3,5 tbsp Butter 50 grams, room temperature
  • 1 medium organic egg
  • 1/2 cup raisins 90 grams
  • 7 grams active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom
flour paste for the cross
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 5 tbsp water or a little bit more if needed
glaze
  • 3 tbsp apricot jam
  • 5 tbsp water
hot cross buns (englische osterbroetchen)
Votes: 3
Rating: 3.33
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
  1. Mix flour, sugar, yeast, salt, cinnamon, cardamom and the orange zest in the bowl of a mixer. In a separate bowl, mix the warm milk (max. 40°Celsius), butter, egg and vanilla extract. Empty the liquid ingredients to the dry ones. Knead with the dough hook for 4-5 minutes until smooth. Add the raisins and knead for another 1-2 minutes.
  2. Form the dough into a ball and let it rise, covered in a bowl, at room temperature for 1-2 hours until doubled in volume.
  3. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape into balls with an arched hand. Place on a baking sheet, spaced apart, and let rise, covered, for another 30-45 minutes.
  4. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 356°F. Mix the flour with the water in a bowl until smooth. If necessary, add another 1-2 tablespoons of water. Pour into a piping bag (approx. 4 mm hole) or a plastic bag with a hole in one tip (approx. 4 mm).
  5. Pipe the flour paste onto the buns in a criss-cross pattern.
  6. Bake the buns for about 23-26 minutes, until they are nice and golden brown (food thermometer core temperature about 91°C / 195°F).
  7. Meanwhile, heat the apricot jam with the water in a saucepan until warm and runny. Spread the jam on the rolls with a brush while they are still hot. Then leave to cool completely. Enjoy!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *