It’s that time of year.
It’s time to put a marshmallow Peep in your hat.
It’s time to pipe a cross on your biscuit.
It’s time to eat way way way too many white chocolate Easter bunnies.
Or maybe you gave up sugar for Lent… in which case… I’m sorry to torture you with dessert everyday. I’m sorry.
Hot Cross Buns are traditional this time of year.
These are not Hot Cross Buns.
These are the totally lazy version of Hot Cross Buns.
Hot Cross Buns are traditionally and English Spring/Easter time treat.
They’re yeasted and spiced and adorned with a frosting cross. They’re usually served on Good Friday. They’re always always delicious.
I don’t do well with rules.
I turned buns into biscuits, added currants and lemon zest, and added a cream cheese frosting cross.
Jesus would totally be down. I’m almost certain.
… and I love when things turn into a pretty pretty mess.
… Like my kitten, he’s a pretty mess too (picture not included).
I like this.
These biscuits are subtly sweet, filled with sweet and tender dried currants, and have a hint of citrus flavor. If you’re tempted to have a heavy hand with the cream cheese frosting… we must be related. I like you.
Hot Cross Biscuits
Makes 8 to 12 biscuits (depending on how thick you like them. I made 8.)
For the Biscuits:
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon granulated sugar
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold, cut into small cubes
1 large egg
3/4 cup buttermilk, cold
2 teaspoons lemon zest
1/2 cup dried currants
For the Frosting:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
dash of vanilla extract
Place racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add lemon zest. Add cold butter and, using your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture. Work quickly to incorporate the butter into the flour. The butter bits will be the size of small pebbles and oat flakes.
Whisk together egg and buttermilk.
Toss the dried currants into the dry ingredient mixture, and create a small well in the center of the flour and butter mixture. Pour in the buttermilk, all at once, and use a fork to incorporate the ingredients. Make sure that all of the flour bits are moistened by the egg and buttermilk.
Dump the shaggy dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Bring together, kneading lightly, until the dough forms a 1-inch thick disk. Use a 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter to cut biscuit circles. Place on the baking sheet. Gently knead the remaining dough scraps together. Form into a 1-inch thick disk and cut out more round biscuits until no dough remains.
Brush biscuit tops with buttermilk and baker for 12 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned on top and firm-ish in the center.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely before frosting with a cross.
In a medium bowl, using a firm spatula, blend together 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons cream cheese, and 1 cup of powdered sugar. Add just a dash of vanilla extract and a sprinkle of cinnamon if you’d like. Mixture will be thick.
Cut a small tip off of a zip lock bag (you can also use a small round cake decorating tip). Fold down the sides of the bag and scoop the frosting into the bag. Pipe crosses onto completely cooked biscuits and serve.
Biscuits are best served the day they are made, but will last, well wrapped at room temperature, for one day.
149 Responses
Thanks so much fir the recipe! I was looking for something savory so I switched up the currants and zest for kalamata olives and feta cheese- even using a GF flour mix, these were a hit! Thanks so much!
Just made these today for a friend (tweaked slightly), and had rave reviews. Awesome.
Also – just bought your cookbook, and I’m loving it. You did an amazing job. You’re such an inspiration to me. I love your style, and well, everything. Thanks for being amazing.
I love it!! Not lazy..Genius! I also bastardized the spicy bun. Hop over to my place and see what I did :)
Cheers
mmmmhhhh…Good Friday is over but they are also delicious on Easter-Saturday, I think. Tomorrow is baking day!! Happy Easter from Germany <3
Just popped these in the oven. I will be eating them as scones without the frosting and subbed orange zest for lemon and heavy cream for buttermilk. Without the frosting these are perfect traditional scones! Can’t wait to eat them!
I just wanted to say how much I like your blog. The recipes look delicious, and I can’t wait to try some of them.
cute, cute! food can be cute, you know.
these were fantastic! i didn’t read all of the instructions and wound up just mixing everything in together instead of doing the “well” and they were still out of this world. used craisins instead of currants…they made a perfect easter day treat. love your stuff!
Here it is at 10:22 pm the night before Easter. Just made these for tomorrow morning and they are wonderful. Used the food processor to mix the dough, and made them gluten free with Namaste flour blend. Outstanding! I doubt there will be any left by sundown,
I just made these. They were AWESOME. Really great recipe. I’m about to email it to everyone I know. :-)
Thanks!!
I don’t have currants but not up for the raisins…..the kids would have fun making these though, hmmmm?
I’ve been wanting to make hot cross buns forever and don’t know why I haven’t. Maybe because they seem decadent for Lent, when I give up sweets. But these are so much like scones that I make, I’m going to give them a try!
Oh my! I came to your blog to remember how to make buttermilk for another relationship, saw these, and quickly changed my course of action. These are delicious!
That last line made me literally laugh out load at my desk (Im pretty sure my cubby neighbor thinks Im crazy) because I was just thinking how the cross of cream chesse frosting is soooooooo not enough… Im thinking more of a close, zig-zag design is more suitable :)
~Kelly
These look gorgeous! I love that you don’t like rules ;) look what that lead to… delicious!
Heidi xo
I am not sure if I should tell you this Joy but in the last few years in Australia they have started making hot cross buns with Choc Chips in them and also chocolate bun
arrghh i want some hot cross buns now!
I love this! Freakin’ cute! How can I bear to eat them??
I am going to make these and take them into work. Mostly so I don’t eat them all myself. Partly cus then everyone will love me!
Very cute and such a good idea! Would be a great substitute for traditional yeasted rolls if time was short, and who doesn’t love a biscuit?
I used to make hot cross buns with my church youth group to serve at Easter breakfast. I like the biscuit version now that there’s fewer hands to help :)
We make hot cross buns every year at the bakery I work at. A cook I used to work with would always get confused and call them by the wrong name–holy cross biscuits. I think it has a nice ring to it :)
Your biscuits looks amazingly flaky and delicious!
Hmm. My delicate English sensibilities are shocked by your flagrant hot cross makeover. And yet my stomach is intrigued…
I gave up baking for Lent… It’s been hard.
I might be one of the few people out there who generally finds biscuits to be a bit dry…which is why I’m super crazy about the idea of putting cream cheese frosting (and loads of it) on them. Genius!
That dough looks super yummy. Did you sneak any into your mouth while you were baking?
that kind of torture is acceptable,lol
I made regular hot cross buns last year, but I think it’s time for an Easter morning shake down with these guys!
I am not very hip… if “Jesus would totally be down,” does that mean that he would like them? Because if it does mean that He would like them, then I am totally down with these, too! They look so good!!!
? i thought it meant that he would be disappointed she didn’t do all the traditional stuff…
urgh i don’t know! but anyways, WE all know they taste g8… :)
I’ve always wanted to make hot cross buns, but wasn’t sure if I’d like them when I finally did. I like you not following the rules version, probably just because of that. Nice flavors. Do you also redesign your lovely headers yourself? They’re gorgeous.
What do you get when you pour hot water down a rabbit hole?
Hot Cross Bunnies.
:) I am making these this weekend. The weather is finally cooling off and I can stand to have the oven on.
Easter in Autumn, imagine that ! Happy weekend ! C
amazing buns!
I’m one of those people that gave up sugar for Lent. Whenever I visit your blog, I want to throw in the towel and eat a brownie or a cookie or a hot cross biscuit!!
Hot cross buns are the best. These sound super delicious. And cream cheese frosting? In my opinion its the only frosting worth eating
Umm, I was running around the yard naked one summer when I was a tot. I squatted down to look at a flower and didn’t notice the really piping hot mini-hibachi grill behind me, just tall enough for me to fall back onto it. I ran in screaming and my mom tended my burns, simultaneously feeling horrible for me and laughing because I had “hot cross buns”. This is my first memory. Luckily, it didn’t scar. Thought you might find it humorous.
I’m admitting here & now that i’m a traditional girl.
These biscuits look amazing and definitely perfect for Easter!!
I love traditional hot cross buns. My mom used to make them and always put currants and citrus in them. They were awesome. For “cheater buns” these look pretty darn good, I must say! If I don’t get my act together in time to make “real” ones… I am for sure going to make these!
The lazy girl version? Perfect.
Though, I may have to go a little wild and sub in some chocolate chips…you know, because it’s the weekend and all…
Ahhh, hot cross buns, the first song I ever learned to play on the saxophone, good times, good times!
But these hot cross biscuits look amaze, me want right now!
ah yes, me too! this was the first song i learned how to play on my recorder AND violin! at the time, we were all in third grade and like, why are we paying reverence to a bun? huh? :P but now i get it! thank you joy, and also have you heard, cats are now going to church on an occasion… interesting right? ;)
I agree, J.C. would totally be slammin’ down some Hot Cross Buns.
Um, can I say that you crack me up? Cause, you do. Here’s hoping you will be lucky this Easter and Jesus (or the Spirit, he’s down too) will come and grace your table for Ham and Hot Cross Biscuits. I hope so!
WOW this looks so awesome and easy!! I’ve never tried hot cross buns actually! so i’m sure either way, these will be yummy to me. :)
amazing!
Hi Joy, As a British person we would call these ‘hot cross scones’ – which sounds pretty nice….(a biscuit is a cookie!) The cross on a hot cross bun is not made of frosting, it’s a basic kind of pastry. Anyway – I like your spin on them.
I agree! :) As I was reading this, I was thinking… those like real scones! It’s hard to find real scones in the states. :) They look delicious.
Sally, I was thinking the same thing about the scones and the cross. In Australia we also have the pastry cross on top (a sugar, flour, water paste really) and the buns are lightly glazed. A clever reinvention of the hot cross bun all the same. My Easter baking list seems to be growing by the day.
I did give up sugar for Lent. But I forgot the Thursday after Ash Wednesday. So all is good.
Where I’m from (Australia), these would be called hot cross scones anyway, which kinda sorta rhymes with hot cross buns if you imagine it with an accent. Yummy.
only rhymes if you pronounce it like “scons” like us Commonwealth folk do- not scones( rhymes with moans)
I like biscuits better than buns anyways :)
I havn’t been able to eat a hot cross bun yet! And I want one soooo badly
xxx
I am loving these. I have heard of hot cross buns a million times, but have never tasted them before. Weird. I’ll look them up now.
Hum, perfect for my breakfast!!!
Ever wonder why ice cubes taste so boring? Itโs cuz you make โem outta stupid water, you bimbo! Put some fruit juice in there and freeze it into ice cubes, and put THAT in your milk.
For your health.
Mmm, these look delicious!
I can see the flakiness. What is it that makes them so flaky? I’ve heard the baking power but I’ve been told it’s the cold butter. They look so good!
These really look fabulous. Must try this some time!
word, Jesus would totally be down.
They look so so good…
I swear I can smell them!
They’re so cute! I’d love to try one because while I’ve heard of hot cross buns, I never knew what they were or had one myself. I’d also like to try one with chocolate chips instead of dried fruit…and I’d definitely smother both with butter and be happy all day! :)
Oh Joy! My aunt is visiting from Dublin, Ireland and I decided to make these lovely gems this morning to sort of impress her — you know, get the oven going, make something from scratch, fill the house with the fragrance of fresh baked goodies first thing in the a.m. — it worked! The kids came running from their bedrooms all excited, aunti too followed her nose to the kitchen and we all devoured them fresh out of the oven, and by the way the frosting was exceptional too! In Aunti Olive’s words “They were fantastically wonderful!” (no blarney!)
Thanks for passing them along.
PS. I used Buttermilk in the powdered form, by Saco, it worked very well!
I always keep Saco buttermilk in the frig. Comes in handy quite frequently!
I think everything would be better if it had cream cheese frosting on it :) These look fab!
Cute idea! The scones look really gorgeous!
I have always disliked hot cross buns, which my mother always bought for Lent, because of the citron. But yours don’t have any! I’m going to make them for Palm Sunday – a little precursor treat for Holy Week.
These would be perfect for Easter morning!!
now these are a hot cross bun i can get behind! btw, trussel stover and i may have to break up soon. his chocolate marshmallow eggs are too addictive.
Joy, these look absolutely great. Isn’t the hot cross bun normally associated with the cross mark put on top of the bun? Not that I care – because I’d eat it anyway.
These are adorable. Same concept but no so much effort. Thanks for changing it up!
I’m not sure if Jesus is down with these (most likely), but I most certainly am!
i like your buns – err, i mean biscuits.
no but seriously. these look delish. i don’t even celebrate easter (sadly these biscuits will be on the no-no list during passover next week), but they look so cute! and the biscuits are so tall and fluffy-looking! yums. thanks joy!
Joy,
These (as with everything else you make) look amazing. If there is anyway you could make something with cranberries and oranges at some point in the near future my week would be greatly improved.
Thanks,
C.
Joy you are awesome!! Not sure if you read my comment from your last post asking if you could make hot cross buns, and then I could totally make them and reap your rewards!! These look SUPER good!!!! xxx
they sound sooo much better than traditional hot cross buns! and i want to see a picture of your kitten as a pretty little mess.
You know what’s weird? Hot Cross Buns was the first song I learned on violin, yet had no idea what they were when I was 10, and have still never had one. These would be a lot easier to make to find out if I like them than going the yeast route…
Having Easter at our house, totally gonna make these! yum…and I think Jesus would approve!
Joy! Cannot wait to try these! The only change I would make is more frosting frosting frosting:)
i know you are a baker. but you should also know, um, you are funny.
that is all,
jami
Aww. These make me want to bust out my recorder.
I gave up candy, packaged cookies/sweets and all meat/poultry for Lent. But not alcohol…that would be dumb.
Fab idea! And I like you too.
I love the idea of hot cross biscuits! I’m almost positive Jesus does too! :)
I absolutely LOVE this recipe and am totally gonna make it soon.
I hope you have a fabulous Holy Week and a scrumptious Easter! (I’m sure you will!)
When I was a kid, our local doughnut shop made hot crossed biscuits. I never knew they were supposed to be buns until I was much, much older. But I have never made them myself. They look so good!!!
Joy – I did in fact give up sweets for Lent, yet I check your blog daily WILLING you to have posted. What that says about me, I’m not sure. What I am sure about: I will be in a sugar induced coma come Easter morning. I am trying to pick at least one of your recipes to make on Easter weekend but I just cannot choose… It’s on my to do list.
Happy Friday!
Jesus is so not disappointed. Maybe he prefers biscuits. Let’s all test it out.
I’ve never made hot cross buns, but always have a great desire to make them at Easter, why is that? They have a chocokate chip version at a local bakery which is amazing.Or maybe I just like it cause it’s a chocolate bun.
Yes! Hot cross buns have never interested me but these little beauties have totally gotten my attention. Add cream cheese frosting to almost anything (except maybe a liverwurst sandwich) and I’m down.
I looove a good, hearty biscuit. But topped with cream cheese frosting? You are a baking goddess.
My what nice hot cross buns you have!
I love your pastry brush up there. I have one that is similar, but not nearly so festive!
I’m all for a lazy bun :). Sometimes I get tired just thinking of making breads with yeast.
I completely Agree with Jesus loving Hot Cross Biscuits, mostly because I believe Jesus would love cream cheese anything… every good and perfect gift is from God – Cream Cheese Frosting is definitely a Good and Perfect gift!! They look amazing, and I might even make them after Easter… But for sure I’ll be bringing them to my Church’s Good Friday service!!!
I feel like if we lived in the same city we’d be best friends. We’d swap lipstick and possibly shoes. Though I have big feet and I guess you have cute little feet. You see, I’ve just put a recipe up for Hot Cross Biscotti… and then this bounced into my inbox. On the same wave length you see. Best friends.
um… i have huuuge feet. it’s kinda weird.
me too…5’6″, size 9!
These are gonna kill me, I want them so flippin’ bad. Turning them into biscuits was geniussss. HOT CROSS SCONES, y’all.
those look divine!
xoxo,
F
Le Kiss Kiss- Click Here!
mmmm this looks even better than hot cross buns! esp with cream cheese frosting and buttermilk biscuits :)
I love laziness. Particularly when it involves cream cheese icing.
These look really yummy and I love the addition of cream cheese frosting as opposed to the wierd bread topping that doesn’t really taste of anything. I’m in Easter cooking frenzy mode and will definitely give these a go. I might even use my new chicken, bunny and egg cookie cutters on them..Thanks for posting – it’s inspired me for the day.
Being English, I was all set to make hot cross buns at the weekend but seeing these has put a wee spanner in the works. I may have to change my plans now. Or maybe I’ll make both which seems more like it! You’re a bad influence!
These look like a nice twist on traditional, NON-ICED, HCBs! I had never had one until moving to England, but I have never run across any with icing (although icing never hurt anything!)…here the crosses are built in and made of dough. Hot cross biscuits…nothing wrong with that! Yum! And I would totally be one of those heavy handed frosters! There are few icings better than cream cheese icing, or maybe there isn’t any!
These look like a good idea for any occasion:-)
Your last instruction (pipe crosses…)~ did you mean completely cooked biscuits, or completely cooled?
I’m one of those on a 3 week Daniel fast. No sugar, dairy, meat. Just fruits and veggies and water. So, yeah, your yummy desserts are getting to me. But God is good.
I just keep collecting the printed recipes until I can use them…Easter!
Lazy buns! I will make these to impress the gf’s parents (meeting them for the first time Easter weekend). Will obviously make a ahem, practice batches. Thanks!
You are always so creative! I think your lazy twist made those biscuits look so fabulous. Hmm…sadly I think you might not like me, because cream cheese and I are not friends. I’d break out in rash after that. Still, it’s really awesome to just feast my eyes on these gorgeous treats:)
that looks so yummy!
will definitely try it out!
I assume these are what us Brits would call Scones? Look lovely
I, too, was put off making hot cross buns in the past because of the ‘faff factor’. These do look good – and is it also wrong to agree with Kathryn that chocolate would be a good addition?
I, too, was put off making hot cross buns in the past because of the ‘faff factor’. These do lookk good – and is it also wrong to agree with Kathryn that chocolate would be a good addition?
we’ve adopted Scone Friday at the school where I work in Budapest, Hungary. this would be an acceptable substitute. and YES. Everyone should adopt Scone Friday. And I mean everyone.
Great twist to hot cross buns. I think Jesus will make exception for you:) So far I’ve seen hot cross biscuits and hot cross macaroons. Nice to see innovation
Those look superb! Buttermilk is always a winner.
I’ve never bothered making hot cross buns as they always seemed like so much faff but these seem very manageable. Is it wrong though that I immediately started thinking about adding chocolate to them?
What a great recipe and an awesome twist! I would love for you to share it with my readers by linking up on my Easter and Spring Linking Party. If you are interested, you can link up by visiting https://bakedbyjoanna.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-linking-party.html. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
What a funky take on the traditional hot cross buns! I totally agree with you Joy, this is the time of year where the green light gets given for eating your entire body weight in chocolate, hot cross buns, Easter biscuits, simnel cake… I could go on!
Enjoy!
Katescakesandbakes x