This soft & fluffy Hot Cross Buns recipe is a delicious way to celebrate Easter and share the good news! These perfectly spiced buns are studded with raisins and topped with a signature cross, making them a must-have for the season.
Hot Cross Buns are something that I had always heard mentioned around Easter but had never actually tried. Once I tried them and realized how delicious they are, I started making them every year for Easter, and now they’ve become a tasty tradition that my family looks forward to every year. If you’ve never heard of hot cross buns, they’re basically a soft, sweet bun with raisins that are topped with a sweet glaze and a cross made out of icing. They’re super light, soft, and fluffy, and are definitely a family favorite! If you’re looking for the best hot cross buns recipe, you’ve come to the right place.
I know that it looks like there are a lot of steps to make this hot cross buns recipe, but I promise it’s not hard at all! To start making these Easter buns, you’ll whisk together your half and half, sugar, and yeast, and then cover it and let it sit so that the yeast will activate. After a few minutes, you’ll add in the brown sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix it all together in a stand mixer. Once those are combined, start adding in your flour, then your raisins until it turns into dough. Let the mixer knead the dough for a few minutes, then you’re going to let it rise until it’s doubled in size. Once it has risen, you’re going to turn it into 15 balls for your buns and put it in a prepared pan. Now your rolls are ready to pop into the oven! While they’re baking, you can whip together your orange glaze. When the rolls come out of the oven, you’ll brush this on top and let them cool. While they’re cooling, mix up your icing. Once they have completely cooled, pipe a cross on top of each one with a piping bag (or Ziploc bag!). In no time at all, your traditional hot cross buns will be ready to enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Cross Buns Recipe
- These buns are soft and fluffy and covered in a sweet glaze with a touch of icing – you can’t go wrong!
- They are the perfect sweet dish to serve on Easter, whether they’re part of a potluck or even for breakfast!
- Your whole family will love these buns, and they are a great way to teach your little ones the meaning of Easter.
- These delicious rolls will quickly become an Easter tradition for you and your whole family.
- These buns have a pillowy texture that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients For Traditional Hot Cross Buns
- 3/4 cup half and half, warmed to 110F
- 2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup raisins, soaked in hot water for 10-15 minutes
Orange Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp. orange juice
Cream Cheese Icing
- 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 Tbsp. half and half
How to Make Soft Hot Cross Buns
Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer whisk together warm half and half, sugar, and yeast. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes or until foamy on top.
Step 2: Add brown sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg to mixer. Mix until combined.
Step 3: Add flour one cup at a time until just combined. Next add raisins to the stand mixer and continue mixing on medium until dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. *Dough should be a little sticky and soft. If it’s too sticky and not pulling away from the bowl, add an additional 1 Tbsp. flour at a time*
Step 4: Keep the dough in the mixer for an additional 5 minutes and allow the mixer to knead the dough.
Step 5: Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with saran wrap or a dish towel. Place in a warm area and allow dough to rise and double in size. TIP: Heat oven to 175F, once oven is at temperature, turn off and place bowl in the oven.
Step 6: Once dough has risen, lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan. Punch down dough to release the air. Divide dough into 15 equal balls and shape into a round ball pinching dough at the bottom.
Step 7: Cover and place in a warm area for an additional hour for the second rise.
Step 8: Once risen, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 9: While rolls are baking, whisk powdered sugar and orange juice in a small mixing bowl. Remove rolls from the oven, and brush orange glaze over warm rolls.
Step 10: In a small bowl whisk softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and half and half until creamy and smooth. Add icing to a piping bag or Ziplock baggie and cut off the tip.
Step 11: Once rolls are completely cool, pipe down the center of each row and then across each row to create a cross on each bun. Serve warm and enjoy!
What to Serve/Pair with Fluffy Hot Cross Buns
I like to cut these in half and add a little something extra to them, like honey butter, jam, or regular butter. It makes them seem a little more indulgent!
You can also enjoy these with a warm cup of tea or coffee for a cozy Easter breakfast.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
While traditional hot cross buns include raisins, a lot of people don’t like them. If this is you, you can definitely leave them out. Use cranberries, chopped dates, or apricots instead of raisins, or leave the dried fruit out all together.
Mix in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for added texture.
Substitute part of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat to add fiber and a nuttier taste.
Storage & Leftovers
Store cooled hot cross buns in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh. While it’s not necessary, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 5 days—just warm them up before serving. I like to reheat them in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
Hot Cross Buns Recipe FAQs
Can I make hot cross buns without yeast?
Traditional hot cross buns require yeast for their signature fluffy texture, but you can try a quick bread version using baking powder or baking soda.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Bake fresh in the morning for the best flavor and texture.
Do I have to use raisins?
No! Feel free to substitute with chocolate chips, cranberries, or leave them out entirely for a plain version.
What does a hot cross bun represent?
The cross on top represents Jesus’ crucifixion, while the spices inside are a nod to the spices used in His burial. They’re also a way to mark the end of Lent and the start of the Easter celebration. Over time, people have come to enjoy them as a symbol of good fortune and a way to share a special moment with friends and family.
Other Sweet Bread Recipes You’ll Love
Easy Apple Fritter Monkey Bread
Don’t Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Soft & Fluffy Hot Cross Buns Recipe Turned Out!
Soft & Fluffy Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup half and half, warmed to 110F
- 2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup raisins, soaked in hot water for 10-15 minutes
Orange Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp. orange juice
Cream Cheese Icing
- 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 Tbsp. half and half
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer whisk together warm half and half, sugar, and yeast. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes or until foamy on top.
- Add brown sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg to mixer. Mix until combined.
- Add flour one cup at a time until just combined. Next add raisins to the stand mixer and continue mixing on medium until dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. *Dough should be a little sticky and soft. If it's too sticky and not pulling away from the bowl, add an additional 1 Tbsp. flour at a time*
- Keep the dough in the mixer for an additional 5 minutes and allow the mixer to knead the dough.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with saran wrap or a dish towel. Place in a warm area and allow dough to rise and double in size. TIP: Heat oven to 175F, once oven is at temperature, turn off and place bowl in the oven.
- Once dough has risen to double it's size, lightly grease a 9×13 baking pan. Punch down dough to release the air. Divide dough into 15 equal balls and shape into a round ball pinching dough at the bottom.
- Cover and place in a warm area for an additional hour for the second rise.
- Once risen, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
- While rolls are baking, whisk powdered sugar and orange juice in a small mixing bowl. Remove rolls from the oven, and brush orange glaze over warm rolls.
- In a small bowl whisk softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and half and half until creamy and smooth. Add icing to a piping bag or Ziplock baggie and cut off the tip.
- Once rolls are completely cool, pipe down the center of each row and then across each row to create a cross on each bun. Serve warm and enjoy!
