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Hot Cross Buns hero image coming soon
Cross-era - American home bakers and Easter holiday traditions influenced by English baking.
Hot cross buns are spiced sweet buns traditionally eaten during Easter in the United States and many other countries. The buns include dried fruit and are marked with a cross on top, symbolizing the holiday's Christian significance. This recipe reflects longstanding transatlantic baking traditions incorporated into American holiday cuisine.
Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
30 minutes (plus rising)
Cook time
20 minutes
Total time
2 hours
Servings
12 buns
Region
United States
Era introduced
Cross-era
Introduced by
American home bakers and Easter holiday traditions influenced by English baking.
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Hot cross buns have roots in English baking traditions brought to America and integrated into Easter celebrations. These spiced buns with currants or raisins and a symbolic cross on top are consumed during Lent leading up to Easter, embodying Christian symbolism. They represent one of the many ways international holiday traditions have merged into the American festive culinary landscape.
Traditional hot cross bun recipe adapted for American home baking; precise proportions may vary by source.
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