Name: Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 2 h 55 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1/4 cup apple juice or water; 1/2 cup dried apricots, cranberries, cherries, or blueberries; 1/2 cup dried currants or raisins; 1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature; 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk (save the white for the egg wash); 6 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature; 1 tablespoon active dry yeast; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon orange zest (from 1 orange); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour; 1 large egg white (reserved from above); 2 teaspoons water; 2 tablespoons apricot jam or preserves; 1 tablespoon water; 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pinch of salt; 1-2 tablespoons milk or enough to make a thick, pipeable icing

There’s something truly magical about that first bite of a warm, spiced bun with juicy bursts of fruit and a sweet icing cross on top. This Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe captures that magic perfectly — soft, fragrant, and packed with flavour, it’s a treat worth taking your time over in the kitchen.

The image shows a close-up of a metal rectangular baking pan filled with freshly baked hot cross buns arranged in three rows and three columns, making a total of nine buns. Each bun has a shiny, golden-brown crust with slightly darker tops and visible small dark spots that look like raisins or currants. White icing is piped in straight lines crossing over the buns to create a cross shape on each one. The baking pan is placed on a white marbled surface, and there are two pieces of cut orange peel on the left side of the pan. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve baked many hot cross buns over the years, but this recipe stands out because it’s packed with fresh fruit that you soak to perfection, giving each bite a juicy pop. It’s the warmth of the spices combined with that soft, buttery dough that always brings smiles at my table.

Flavour-packed dough: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a hint of orange zest creates an inviting aroma and taste.
Soaked dried fruit: Softens and plumps the fruit for juicy bites, avoiding dryness that sometimes happens with buns.
Buttery softness: Adding butter slowly into the dough makes these buns incredibly tender and rich.
Beautiful icing crosses: The pipeable icing finish adds that iconic look and a hint of sweet tang when baked fresh.

The image shows a rectangular metal baking pan filled with sixteen golden-brown soft rolls arranged in four rows and four columns, touching each other. Each roll has a shiny top with a smooth texture and small dark spots indicating raisins or currants inside the dough. There are white icing lines piped across the rolls, creating a grid pattern with two horizontal and three vertical lines crossing each other. The background is a white marbled surface with a black and white checkered cloth partially visible on the bottom right side, and three pieces of dried orange fruit scattered on the left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays its part in making these buns extra special. The combination of dried fruit softened in apple juice, aromatic spices, and enriching butter helps deliver buns with just the right balance of sweetness, chewiness, and warmth.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of golden dried apricots, a small white ceramic bowl of dark dried currants, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a simple white ceramic bowl of whole milk, three whole uncracked brown eggs with clean shells, a small pile of bright orange fresh orange zest, a white ceramic dish with several sticks of pale yellow salted butter at room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl of active dry yeast granules, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cinnamon, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of ground nutmeg, a small white ceramic bowl of ground cardamom, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a mound of white bread flour, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth apricot jam, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, and a small white ceramic bowl of fresh milk placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Dried apricots and currants: Soaking them plumps them up and keeps the fruit tender inside the dough.
Apple juice: Adds a subtle fruity sweetness to soften the dried fruit without overpowering.
Whole milk: Warmed milk activates the yeast and adds richness to the dough.
Yeast: The key to rise and fluffiness; activating it properly makes all the difference.
Eggs and butter: Enrich the dough, keep it soft and tender with a lovely crumb.
Spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom): These create the classic, cozy flavour profile you expect in hot cross buns.
Orange zest and vanilla: Brighten the flavour with fresh citrus notes and aromatic sweetness.
Flour: Bread flour gives structure; you can also use all-purpose with a slight variation in texture.
Apricot jam: Creates a glossy, fruity glaze that seals in moisture after baking.
Powdered sugar icing: For the signature cross, piped on to add sweet contrast and charm.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favourite things about the Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you swap dried fruits or adjust spices, it’s all about finding the perfect combo you love best.

Fruit swaps: Trying dried cherries or blueberries instead of apricots and currants brings a different but equally delicious twist. I once made a batch with cranberries and it was wonderfully tart!
Spice levels: If you love more warmth, increase the cinnamon slightly or add a splash more cardamom for a floral note.
Gluten-free: You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends—but be gentle with wet ingredients, as these flours behave differently.
Less sugar: Feel free to reduce sugar in the dough; the dried fruit and glaze will still add sweetness.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Step 1: Soften the Fruit

Start by placing your dried apricots and currants in a microwave-safe bowl with the apple juice or water. Cover and microwave for about 30-45 seconds. This little steam bath plumps up the fruit so they’re juicy inside your buns, which I promise makes a huge difference!

Step 2: Activate the Yeast

While the fruit softens, warm your milk until it’s pleasantly warm (think bath temperature). Stir in a teaspoon of sugar and the yeast, then let it rest for 5-10 minutes until it’s foamy. This shows your yeast is active and ready to work its magic.

Step 3: Mix the Dough

In your mixer, combine the yeast mixture with eggs, remaining sugar, orange zest, vanilla, spices, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Mix until just combined, then switch to the dough hook and gradually add the rest of the flour. This builds the structure for those soft buns.

Step 4: Incorporate Butter & Fruit

Now comes the fun part: slowly kneading in the softened butter, tablespoon by tablespoon. Take your time here—kneading well between additions ensures it blends smoothly into the dough, resulting in a tender crumb. Then gently knead in your soaked fruit and any leftover juice, distributing those sweet pockets evenly.

Step 5: First Rise

Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place it somewhere warm to rise. It might not double exactly because of the fruit and butter, but it will puff nicely over 1 to 2 hours—this is when the magic happens and the dough gets light and airy.

Step 6: Shape & Second Rise

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 12 equal pieces and shape into balls by pinching the dough underneath to create smooth tops. Place them close together in a greased dish, cover, and let rise again until puffy and nearly touching—about 30-60 minutes.

Step 7: Bake & Glaze

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Whisk the reserved egg white with a little water and brush it gently over each bun for a shiny crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. While still warm, brush apricot jam glaze on top for that irresistible gloss and fruity punch.

Step 8: Pipe the Crosses

Mix your icing until thick but pipeable, then snip a small hole in a plastic bag and pipe crosses on each bun—top to bottom, left to right. This final touch brings the classic look and sweetness that makes hot cross buns so beloved.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned how subtle changes can make these buns just right. Here are my go-to tips to help your batch turn out perfect every time.

Softening fruit properly: Don’t skip soaking your dried fruits — it keeps them juicy and prevents your buns from tasting dry or tough.
Butter timing: Add the butter slowly, and don’t rush the kneading — this makes the dough silky and soft.
Warm rise spot: I like using a sunny windowsill or placing the dough near a warm stove to encourage a nice, even rise.
Don’t overbake: Keep an eye on the buns in the last few minutes; overbaking dries them out, so take them out when golden and springy to the touch.

How to Serve Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually serve these buns just as they are, warm and fresh from the oven, but you can spread a little extra butter or clotted cream for an indulgent touch. Sometimes, I sprinkle a dash of cinnamon sugar on top if I want extra sweetness.

Side Dishes

A cup of freshly brewed chai or strong coffee is my classic pairing here. But these buns also go wonderfully with a mellow cheddar cheese or a sharp brie for a brunch treat. Fresh fruit salad alongside rounds out the fruity theme nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions like Easter brunch, I’ve arranged these buns on a pretty platter lined with spring greens and edible flowers. You could also slice them in half and layer with cream cheese and fresh berries for a mini sandwich twist that’s as fun as it is delicious.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always store leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days—this keeps them soft and fresh. Make sure the container is sealed well to lock in moisture.

Freezing

These buns freeze beautifully. I freeze them individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag. When I’m ready, I thaw them at room temperature or warm them gently in the oven. They taste almost as good as freshly baked!

Reheating

I prefer reheating by wrapping buns in foil and warming them in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes; this refreshes their texture without drying them out. Alternatively, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave works in a pinch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute different dried fruits in this Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe?

Absolutely! You can use dried cherries, cranberries, blueberries, or even chopped dates. Just soak them as directed to keep the buns moist and flavorful.

How long should I proof the yeast for best results?

Proof your active dry yeast in warm milk with a bit of sugar for 5-10 minutes until foamy. This step ensures the yeast is active, giving your buns a light and airy texture. If using instant yeast, you can skip this.

Can I make these buns ahead of time?

Yes! You can shape the buns, then refrigerate them after the second rise overnight. Just take them out to come to room temperature before baking the next day. Alternatively, freeze baked buns for longer storage.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover hot cross buns?

For best results, wrap the buns in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes. This refreshes the texture nicely without drying them out. A short microwave session also works if you’re in a hurry.

Final Thoughts

These Fresh Fruit Hot Cross Buns Recipe always remind me of cozy mornings filled with warmth, spice, and the joy of home baking. Once you bake your first batch, I’m sure you’ll find yourself craving them again and again — there’s nothing quite like that soft crumb, the pop of fruit, and the sweet, iconic cross iced on top. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these with your loved ones as much as I do!