Name: Easy Hot Cross Buns recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 155 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: british
Ingredients: 2 1/2 tsp dry yeast; 3 1/2 cups plain flour; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp nutmeg; 3/4 cup sultanas; 1 egg; 2 tbs margarine; 310 ml water; 1/2 cup plain flour; 80 ml water; 2 tsp sugar; 2 tbs water; 2 tbs sugar; 1 tsp gelatine

by enaj Last updated on 04/16/2025

You can't go wrong with a traditional hot cross bun, and this recipe is just that. Wait until you smell the aromas wafting through your house!

This recipe is actually made in a breadmaker - it was originally featured in a popular breadmaker recipe cookbook and has now been immortalised on Australia's Best Recipes.

Don't have a breadmaker? That's ok. You can still combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl, then adding the wet ingredients and beat with a hand mixer. Then you can bake in the oven! See recipe notes for full method without a breadmaker.

- enaj

Ingredients

2 1/2 tsp dry yeast
3 1/2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
3/4 cup sultanas
1 egg
2 tbs margarine
310 ml water

Crosses

1/2 cup plain flour
80 ml water
2 tsp sugar

Glaze

2 tbs water
2 tbs sugar
1 tsp gelatine

Method

Step 1

Add dough ingredients to breadmaker in the order listed and set to the dough setting.
Step 2

Once cycle has finished remove dough from machine and line a tray with baking paper.
Step 3

Knead dough on a floured surface until it is elastic and springs back when pressed.
Step 4

Divide dough into 12 pieces, roll into balls and place close together, but not touching, onto tray.
Step 5

Cover and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
Step 6

Crosses: Mix flour and water together to make a smooth paste. Pipe crosses over risen dough.
Step 7

Bake buns for 30 minutes in a preheated 180C oven until golden brown.
Step 8

Glaze: Combine all ingredients into a microwave safe jug and microwave on medium for 1-2 minutes.

Equipment

1 bread maker
1 baking tray
1 baking paper
1 jug
1 microwave

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

How to make hot cross buns without a breadmaker

If you don’t have a breadmaker, you can combine the flour, the yeast, sugar nutmeg and sultanas in a bowl. Add the margarine and egg to the mixture with the water and beat with a hand beater until combined. Transfer to a floured board and knead briefly until the mixture comes together. Divide the dough into 12 portions and shape into balls. Place balls on a lined tray and allow to rise for 30 minutes.

Mix the flour, water and sugar together for the crosses and pipe over the balls. Bake in the oven at 180C for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

For the glaze, combine the ingredients in a jug and microwave for 1 minute. Brush the glaze over the buns. Serve.