Super-soft, cinnamon-spiked, Cranberry Hot Cross Buns that will make Easter brunch extra special!
Little Buns Make a Big Treat
Y’all, have you ever had a hot cross bun?! If not, you’ve got to make these Cranberry Hot Cross Buns! Like, ASAP! They’re traditionally eaten on Good Friday or Easter morning, but I’m thinking these little buns would make for a sweet & special morning treat all throughout the year.
Super Soft, Spiked With Cinnamon
I’d never had one until a few weeks ago when I decided it was due time. So I went around to as many bakeries and grocery stores in my area that make them and conducted a little taste test to see what they were all about and for inspiration for my own version. After trying a variety of buns, I knew I wanted mine to be soft, sweet, and super cinnamony. And that’s exactly what you’re gonna get with this easy one-rise recipe!
They’re super soft, spiked with lots of cinnamon (in both the dough and the icing), and they’re studded with sweet dried cranberries. Eating one warm right out of the oven is something spectacular!
I’m so in love and can’t wait to bake these again and again! I know for sure we’ll be having some with our Easter brunch in just a few short weeks. Yum! Yum!
They really are so easy to make, but do require an hour and a half of rise time, so just plan ahead because they’re so worth it!
What Do I Need to Make Cranberry Hot Cross Buns?
(see recipe card for measurements and details)
- Active dry yeast
- Warm water
- Egg
- Butter, melted
- Whole milk
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Dried cranberries
- Cinnamon sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Baking dish
How to Make An Egg Wash
Learn how to make a simple egg wash to give your pies, scones, biscuits and other baked goods a crisp, golden brown, glossy finish. It’s the perfect final touch!
How to Make Hot Cross Buns
- In a small bowl, combined the yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar and warm water. Allow to proof for 10 minutes. Stir in the beaten egg.
- In a separate bowl, stir the 1/4 cup milk into the melted butter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Make a well in the center with a wooden spoon and add both the yeast and butter mixtures. Stir with the wooden spoon or your hands until a soft dough forms. Knead in the dried cranberries until evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
- Butter the same bowl and place the ball of dough back in it. Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for an hour and a half until about doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide dough into 8 even-sized balls. Place each ball, about an inch apart, in a lightly greased baking pan or dish. Use a table knife to make a cross indention in the top of each ball of dough. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until buns are golden brown. Let buns cool for a few minutes while you prepare the icing.
- For the icing, whisk together the powdered sugar, cinnamon and milk until smooth and thick. Place icing in a small plastic bag and snip the corner. Pipe icing into the cross marks on the top of each bun. Serve warm or cooled.
Here they are! All warm and ready.
More Easy Easter Recipes
Easter is just a hippity-hop away and I’m here with my favorite Easy Easter Recipes that are sure to make every bunny happy!
If you make these Cranberry Hot Cross Buns, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me or tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. 😍 I love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes I share. Enjoy!Enjoy!
xoxo,
Cranberry Hot Cross Buns
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 mins
- Yield: 8
- Category: Breakfast
Description
Super-soft, cinnamon-spiked, cranberry-studded hot cross buns that will make Easter brunch extra special!
Ingredients
- 1 envelope active dry yeast (2–1/4 teaspoons)
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2–1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, divided
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1 egg plus 1 teaspoon water, for egg wash
- 2 tablespoons sugar plus 1 teaspoon cinnamon, for cinnamon sugar
Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combined the yeast, 1 teaspoon sugar and warm water. Allow to proof for 10 minutes. Stir in the beaten egg.
- In a separate bowl, stir the 1/4 cup milk into the melted butter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Make a well in the center with a wooden spoon and add both the yeast and butter mixtures. Stir with the wooden spoon or your hands until a soft dough forms. Knead in the dried cranberries until evenly dispersed throughout the dough.
- Butter the same bowl and place the ball of dough back in it. Cover the bowl with a towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for an hour and a half until about doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Divide dough into 8 even-sized balls. Place each ball, about an inch apart, in a lightly greased baking pan or dish. Use a table knife to make a cross indention in the top of each ball of dough. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until buns are golden brown. Let buns cool for a few minutes while you prepare the icing.
- For the icing, whisk together the powdered sugar, cinnamon and milk until smooth and thick. Place icing in a small plastic bag and snip the corner. Pipe icing into the cross marks on the top of each bun. Serve warm or cooled.
