These do-it-yourself Sizzling Cross Buns are smooth, barely candy, and filled with heat spices and dried fruit. Topped with a signature flour paste cross and a shiny glaze, they’re a traditional Easter deal with, however it’s simply nearly as good year-round.

I Love These Spiced Buns
I’ve a smooth spot for any type of yeasted bread, however scorching cross buns maintain a particular place in my coronary heart (and my kitchen). I’ve been baking these for years, tweaking the recipe till it turned a household favourite. I particularly love the odor of cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest that fills the home whereas they bake.
Historically made and eaten round Easter, however I don’t look forward to spring to make them.
Sizzling Cross Buns Recipe
These do-it-yourself spiced buns are deliciously spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest, and the opposite components are what you’d usually discover if you choose to make a do-it-yourself candy bread. They’ve a touch of sweetness from the brown sugar and are studded with juicy raisins. They’re tremendous smooth and fluffy!
Sizzling Cross Buns are normally loved throughout the Easter season in lots of nations. These candy treats mark the top of Lent for many individuals.

What Makes Sizzling Cross Buns Particular?
Sizzling cross buns date again centuries and have been initially baked to mark the top of Lent. The cross on prime symbolizes the crucifixion, and the spices are mentioned to symbolize the spices used to embalm Jesus. Whereas their which means is deep, I like how enjoyable they’re to bake. They’re actually beautiful spiced buns!
What makes these scorching cross buns additional particular is the addition of orange zest within the dough and a light-weight honey glaze on prime. It offers them a vibrant citrusy observe that balances the nice and cozy spices completely. Plus, they don’t seem to be overly candy, which makes them good along with your morning espresso or afternoon tea.
This recipe has change into my go-to as a result of it delivers each time.
Elements for Sizzling Cross Buns
- Bread flour for a chewier texture
- granulated sugar
- energetic dry yeast
- floor cinnamon
- floor nutmeg
- allspice or cloves (elective)
- salt
- orange zest (zest from 1 orange)
- heat milk (about 110°F)
Substitute: Almond, oat, or soy milk - egg
- unsalted butter, softened
- raisins, currants, or combined dried fruit
Substitute: Dried cranberries, chopped dates, and even chocolate chips
make Sizzling Cross Buns
- Put together the dough by mixing the moist components along with the dry components. The ensuing dough might be barely moist. Please don’t be tempted so as to add an excessive amount of flour. Including somewhat is ok, however an excessive amount of will make the ensuing buns exhausting.
- Knead the dough – This may be achieved with a stand mixer, a meals processor, or by hand. Whichever means you select, you’ll want to enable the dough to change into elastic earlier than proofing it.
- Proof the dough – Go away the dough to relaxation for one to at least one and a half hours or until doubled in dimension.
- form and second proofing – First, divide the dough into 12 items, then form it right into a golf-size ball. Place in a ready baking pan and depart to proof once more for one more 30 to 45 minutes.
- Pipe and bake the recent cross buns – pipe the flour and water combination to make a cross on the floor of the risen dough. It’s also possible to use icing sugar for this if you want.
- Bake at 350°F until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Glaze with the sugar combination or use any fruit jam of your selection.

Steadily Requested Questions
What’s the significance of those buns? The cross is claimed to be a illustration of the crucifixion of Jesus. Whereas the spices inside are a illustration of the spices used to embalm him at his burial.
What’s a scorching cross bun fabricated from? These Fluffy, completely spiced do-it-yourself buns are a yeast-based roll that’s filled with spices and fruits. These candy buns date again to the twelfth Century and are sometimes known as scorching cross buns for his or her ornamental cross that’s both etched within the prime or marked proper into the dough of the recent cross bun with icing.
Why do you eat scorching cross buns on Good Friday? As said earlier, to mark the top of Lent. These candy buns are filled with dairy merchandise, which aren’t allowed throughout Lent. This can be a good deal with for anybody who gave up dairy throughout Lent and is able to get again into consuming some scrumptious treats!
Can I freeze scorching cross buns? Sure! Freeze them (unglazed) in a zip-top bag for as much as 2 months. Reheat within the oven and glaze after warming.
What if I don’t have yeast? Yeast is crucial for the traditional texture. Attempt a soda bread-style fast bun in case you’re in a rush.
Can I take advantage of a distinct kind of flour? Sure, bread flour offers a chewier consequence. Complete wheat flour can be utilized for a part of the flour, however the texture might be denser.
Do I’ve to pipe the cross? Nope! You may skip it or use icing to brighten after baking.
Can I make them dairy-free? Very properly. Use plant-based milk and vegan butter, and so they prove simply as scrumptious.
Suggestions for Success
- Don’t rush the rise: Letting the dough double absolutely ensures smooth, fluffy buns.
- Use recent spices for the very best aroma and taste.
- Pipe crosses slowly: It’s simpler with a gentle hand and a thick sufficient paste.
- Serve heat: These buns are finest loved recent, ideally slathered with butter.
Should you love yeast breads like we do, try our recipes for Smooth Dinner Rolls, Candy Sandwich Bread, Fast And Simple Sizzling Canine Buns recipe, or Previous-Common Cinnamon Rolls for extra bakery-style treats at residence!
Serving Concepts
- Toasted with a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey
- With cream cheese and strawberry jam for a decadent twist
- Alongside espresso or a scorching cup of tea
- As a part of a brunch unfold with deviled eggs, fruit salad, and breakfast egg sauce

- 1 cup entire milk warmed to about 110°F
- 1 tbsp energetic dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1 giant egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon floor cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon floor nutmeg
- 3 ½ cups bread flour leveled
- 1 orange zest
- 1 cup raisins or currants
- ½ cup apple juice water or rum
Glaze
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ tablespoons sugar
Combine the components:
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Soak the currants and raisins in scorching water, apple juice, or rum and put aside to return to room temperature.
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In a medium bowl, add the nice and cozy milk, yeast, and sugar. Combine properly and depart to proof—about 5 minutes.
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Add the melted butter and the egg to the yeast combination. Combine collectively and put aside.
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In a big bowl, mix the add in all of the dry components (flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange zest, and salt). Combine properly.
If utilizing a meals processor:
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Put the dry and moist components into the meals processor. Course of for about 4 to five minutes till every little thing is properly combined. Switch into a big bowl.
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Drain the raisins, and add them to the dough. Then use your arms to work the raisins contained in the dough.
If utilizing your hand:
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Pour the moist components contained in the dry ingredient and use a wood spoon to combine it till it types a shaggy mass of dough. Knead the dough for 10 to 12 minutes or till it turns into smooth and elastic. Add the raisins (drained) and work it into the dough.
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Notice: It is going to be a bit tough to work this dough with arms as a result of it’s fairly moist. My finest recommendation is to work it in a big mixing bowl for higher manageability.
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Additionally, you’ll be able to oil your arms if the dough will get too sticky.
Proof and bake
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Cowl up the dough and depart to proof in a heat place for one hour or until doubled in dimension.
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Punch down the dough to take away the trapped air then switch it to a evenly floured work floor. Divide the dough into twelve equal sizes and use your arms to form them into balls.
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In the meantime, evenly grease a 9 by 13-inch pan with some butter and mud with some flour.
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Prepare the buns contained in the ready pan. Cowl the pan, and allow them to rise for one more 30 to 45 minutes.
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Flour paste: In a small bowl, combine the flour and water till to type a thick paste. Scoop the paste inside a piping bag or a zipper lock bag and snip off the tip of the bag. Pipe cross on prime of the buns.
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Bake the buns at 350F for 20 to 25 minutes or till they change into golden brown.
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Glaze: Combine the sugar along with the water till the sugar is totally dissolved. Brush the floor of the buns with the sugar and water combination whereas nonetheless extremely popular.
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Go away to chill and revel in!
Energy: 273.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.8g | Protein: 6.6g | Fats: 6.5g | Saturated Fats: 3.6g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.6g | Monounsaturated Fats: 1.6g | Trans Fats: 0.2g | Ldl cholesterol: 28.6mg | Sodium: 117.2mg | Potassium: 201.9mg | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 7.2g | Vitamin A: 204.4IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 47.5mg | Iron: 1mg
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Should you make these Sizzling Cross buns, I’d like to see footage of your creations on Instagram or Fb. #cheflolaskitchen