BRITISH Wholewheat Hot Cross Buns... Traditionally for GOOD FRIDAY .....RECIPE

Made this afternoon, Just out of the oven & brushed with simple syrup

I am baking some batches of these to  freeze and deliver to Palm Springs at the end of the month...though it would be an ideal time to post the recipe again so you can prepare your candied fruit and maybe try this recipe out before GOOD FRIDAY.

OK!!!! I admit it... I love these...and you can't get enough good recipes, ...here is another from the North of England, and they are healthy whole wheat and brown sugar, I just made double the recipe = 24 buns

You may also use this recipe to make larger loaves, just bake at 375F for 30-40 mins depending on size, until golden brown..no need to put  across on the loaves, make great sandwiches with sharp cheese.


You will need for the basic recipe = 12 buns

1/4 cup brown sugar tightly packed ( 2ozs)
2 1/2 tsp dried active yeast (1 envelope USA)
1/2 cup warm milk ( 2ozs)


add the yeast to half of the warm milk and add 1 tsp of the sugar..allow to become frothy.

In a mixing bowl, add the following:
2 cups whole wheat ( 1 LB)
1 level tsp sea salt
1 tsp allspice or mixed spice
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves 

gently work in with knives or pastry tool, the fat
1/4 cup ( 2 ozs) butter or margarine at room temp.


3/4 cup candied peel chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1 large egg beaten

 make a well in the middle add the rest of the sugar,  the yeast mix and the beaten egg,s and the dried fruit and mix to a pliable dough, adding any more warm milk as needed.
Place in a greased bowl, in a warm place and allow to prove until double in size approx 40 mins- 1 hour.
Knock back and shape into 12 rolls, flatten slightly the tops and cut a cross over tops with a sharp knife, cover and keep in a warm place until double in size.
mix flour and water together to a paste and pipe over the cut crosses...bake in a 400f/200C/Gas 6 for about 15-20 mins until golden brown .
remove from oven and put on wire racks and glaze with simple syrup with nutmeg or mixed spice in.

serve warm or chill completely if planning to freeze.

The double batch of the recipe after first prove

Make cross with flour and water paste

Cut a cross that the flour mix will settle into before 2nd prove