Baked Hot Cross Buns with Spiced Orange Zest

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

Soft, fluffy hot cross buns infused with warm spices and fresh orange zest, baked to a golden finish with a glossy cross glaze. This British-inspired Easter recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, whole milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups, warmed to 110°F whole milk
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 5 tbsp, melted unsalted butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp, finely grated orange zest
• 1 cup currants or raisins
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for cross paste)
• 5 tbsp water (for cross paste)
• 1/4 cup, warmed apricot jam (for glaze)

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, sprinkle 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast over 1 1/4 cups warmed whole milk at 110°F. Let sit 5-7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp salt, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 2 tbsp finely grated orange zest.
3. Step 3: Add the yeast mixture, 5 tbsp melted unsalted butter, and 1 large egg to the dry ingredients. Stir until a rough dough forms.
4. Step 4: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Fold in 1 cup currants or raisins evenly.
5. Step 5: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours or until doubled.
6. Step 6: Punch down the dough and divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour with 5 tbsp water to form a thick paste. Transfer the paste to a piping bag and pipe crosses over each bun.
8. Step 8: Bake buns for 20-22 minutes until golden brown.
9. Step 9: Remove from oven and immediately brush tops with 1/4 cup warmed apricot jam to glaze. Cool on wire racks before serving.