Hot Cross Bun Recipe based on NeemTime research
Ingredients of Hot Cross Bun Recipe
3 cups all-purpose flour (freshly ground wheat flour at home)
2 tbsp homemade sugar or powdered jaggery
1 tsp salt
1 tsp homemade yeast (or naturally fermented starter dough)
1 cup warm homemade milk
2 tbsp homemade butter (softened)
1 tsp ground cinnamon (from dried cinnamon bark)
½ tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
½ cup raisins (sun-dried at home)
1 tbsp orange zest (from fresh oranges)
1 egg (for richness, optional but traditional)
For Cross Paste:
2 tbsp flour + water (mixed into thick paste)
For Glaze (optional):
2 tbsp homemade sugar syrup or honey
Detailed Preparation Guide of Hot Cross Bun Recipe
Step 1: Activate Yeast
Mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 8–10 minutes until foamy.
Calories: Sugar ~40 kcal, milk ~150 kcal
Time: 10 minutes
Step 2: Prepare Dough Base
In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange zest.
Add activated yeast mixture, egg, and butter. Knead into soft dough.
Calories: Flour ~900 kcal, butter ~180 kcal, egg ~70 kcal
Time: 10 minutes
Step 3: Add Fruits
Fold in raisins evenly into the dough.
Calories: Raisins ~150 kcal
Time: 2 minutes
Step 4: First Proofing
Cover dough and let it rise for 1–1.5 hours until doubled in size.
Calories: No added calories
Time: 90 minutes
Step 5: Shape the Buns
Divide dough into equal portions and shape into smooth buns.
Place on baking tray.
Calories: already counted
Time: 10 minutes
Step 6: Second Proofing
Let buns rest for 30 minutes to rise again.
Calories: 0
Time: 30 minutes
Step 7: Add Cross Marking
Pipe flour-water paste in a cross shape on top of each bun.
Calories: ~20 kcal total
Time: 5 minutes
Step 8: Bake the Buns
Bake at 180°C for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
Calories: no change
Time: 25 minutes
Step 9: Glaze and Serve
Brush with sugar syrup or honey while warm for shine.
Calories: Honey/syrup ~120 kcal
Time: 2 minutes
Total Preparation Time of Hot Cross Bun Recipe for 4 Persons
Yeast activation: 10 minutes
Dough preparation: 10 minutes
Adding raisins: 2 minutes
First proofing: 90 minutes
Shaping buns: 10 minutes
Second proofing: 30 minutes
Cross marking: 5 minutes
Baking: 25 minutes
Glazing and serving: 2 minutes
Total preparation and baking time: approximately 2 hours 14 minutes
Total Calories of Hot Cross Bun Recipe and Calories Per Person
Flour: ~900 kcal
Milk: ~150 kcal
Butter: ~180 kcal
Sugar: ~40 kcal
Egg: ~70 kcal
Raisins: ~150 kcal
Honey/syrup: ~120 kcal
Spices and zest: ~10 kcal
Total calories for entire recipe: approximately 1,620 kcal
Calories per person (4 servings): approximately 405 kcal per person