A horizontal line of hot cross buns on a wire rack.

Recipe of the Month - London Fog Hot Cross Buns

April 2, 2025 Michele Lillie

Hot Cross Buns are a traditional treat in many countries and are typically served on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter. They are associated with many superstitions such as having magical properties, warding off evil spirits and protection from harm.

They are a delightful sweet bun that can be enjoyed any time of the year. This variation is a take on a London Fog drink with the use of Earl Grey tea. Enjoy them with a cup of any of our Earl Grey teas.

Two hot cross buns with a green cup, a brown cup and a daffodil behind the buns.

Ingredients

For Buns

1 cup milk
4 Tablespoons Earl Grey tea
¼ cup sugar
1 egg
½ Tablespoon lemon juice
½ Tablespoon orange juice
¼ cup butter
1 pkg instant yeast
3½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon orange zest
½ cup raisins

For the paste & glaze

1 cup flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 egg, well beaten

Directions

Step 1

Heat the milk until scalding. Pour over the tea leaves and steep for 5 minutes. Strain & discard the leaves.

Step 2

Allow the milk to cool until lukewarm. Mix in sugar, egg, lemon & orange juice and butter until well blended.

Step 3

Stir in the yeast. Add 2½ cups of flour, salt, lemon & orange zest and beat together well.

Step 4

Cover the bowl and allow to rise in a warm place for about an hour.

Step 5

Add the raisins and knead into the bread. As you knead, add as much of the remaining flour as needed to make a smooth elastic dough.

Step 6

Form into a ball and placed in a covered, greased bowl in a warm place to rise until it doubles in size.

Step 7

Punch the dough down and form into 12 buns. Place buns in a greased pan with at least an inch between them.

Step 8

Cut a cross in the top of each bun. You can leave them as is or make a flour/sugar paste to make the cross more prominent. If using the paste, mix together 1 cup flour, 2 Tablespoons sugar and enough water to get a paste-like consistency. Either pipe or apply with a spoon into the cross shapes.

Step 9

Brush the top of each bun with the beaten egg. May also melt a bit of apricot jam with water to thin it and brush that on the bun in place of the egg wash. Let rise again until double in size.

Step 10

Bake in a 375°F oven for about 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

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