The classic hot cross bun recipe is a national treasure: soft, spiced, and irresistibly moreish. Whether you’re loyal to the original or ready to riff, we’ve rounded up four ways to make your hot cross buns absolutely golden.
Have a browse, pick your favourite, and give one (or all) a go – your springtime baking just got a whole lot sweeter!
A brief history of hot cross buns
Before they were supermarket staples and brunch-table regulars, hot cross buns were a once-a-year treat steeped in seasonal tradition. Spiced and speckled with mixed peel, these sweet little buns date back centuries – long enough that no one can quite agree on who baked the first!
These days, they’ve earned a well-loved spot among brunch menus and springtime spreads alike, and it’s easy to see why.
Old faithful: The classic hot cross bun recipe
Our classic hot cross bun recipe is a time-honoured favourite, yielding 12 soft, spiced buns adorned with a signature cross and a glossy glaze.
With a total prep time of around 2 hours and a bake time of 20 minutes, it’s the perfect recipe for a weekend baking session.
Hot cross bun recipes twists on the classic
Love the original? Try these syrupy spin-offs and take things to the next level!
Hot cross bun, marmalade bread and butter pudding
Give your leftover buns a new lease of life with this delish twist on the classic hot cross bun recipe. Layered with zesty marmalade and dried fruits, then soaked in a rich custard of eggs, milk, cream, and a splash of orange liqueur, this pudding is the ultimate upgrade.
Ready in just an hour, it’s the ideal dessert for sharing with family and friends.
Hot cross bun French toast
This game-changing spin on hot cross buns features everything you could want from a breakfast treat. Soak the bun slices in a spiced egg and milk mixture, pan-fry until golden brown, and serve with fresh fruit and a generous drizzle of Lyle’s Golden Syrup.
Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a delightful for a quick brunch or a cosy weekend breakfast.
Chocolate chip hot cross buns
This indulgent twist swaps dried fruit for chunks of chocolate and sweet marzipan, creating a rich, fluffy bun that’s impossible to resist!
After a 1-hour prep and a 15-minute bake, the buns turn a perfect golden brown, ready for their final flourish: a glossy apricot jam or honey glaze that adds a subtly fruity shine.
Don’t forget the not-so-secret ingredient!
From its sticky-sweet shine to melt-in-the-middle magic, Lyle’s Golden Syrup is the common drizzle behind every brilliant hot cross bun recipe in this roundup.
Whether you’re baking, glazing or just dolloping, it’s the one ingredient that makes every bite Absolutely Golden.
Explore our syrups and treacles for the golden touch every bake deserves.
