Easy Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Kid Friendly Recipe

Easter is approaching and soon the kids will be buzzing with anticipation for the delights in their baskets, on Easter morning. Hot Cross Buns has been a tradition in many households for centuries. Where the origins of these buns derives is still up for debate. Some say the bun was made to honor the division of the four seasons others say it was the Christian faith. In today’s culture it is widely recognized as the symbol of Christ’s remembrance on Good Friday. Traditionally, these buns are eaten from Good Friday until Easter morning.

Read Aloud – “Easter” by Gail Gibbons

This is the perfect read aloud for sharing the origins of the Easter tradition.

Easter by, Gail Gibbons

The beloved recipe is somewhat spicy and yummy for the adult pallet. Children in today’s sweet world might not favor the old time traditional recipe. We spent some time in the STEMHAX kitchen to come up with our own version of the Hot Cross Bun. The steps are broken down so your child can follow the recipe along as you bake together. Grab your iPad and let’s bake some Hot Cross Buns!

Gathering all the items:

INGREDIENTS

Pillsbury Sweet Hawaiian Crescent Rolls (original works, too)
Raisins
Granulated Sugar
Ground Cinnamon
Maple Syrup (dipping sauce)

TOOLS

Baking Sheet
Silicone Pad or Parchment Paper
Spatula
Butter Knife
Small Spoon
Plate
Cooling Rack
Oven Mitt
Cutting Board
2 Small Containers/Bowls

Baking Steps:

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees (350 convection).

2) In one of the small containers, use a spoon to mix some cinnamon and sugar.

3) Put some raisins in the other small container/bowl.

4) Open the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and set one of the rolls aside for the crosses.

5) Place raisins and a little of the cinnamon and sugar mixture on the flat crescent roll.

6) Starting from the smallest triangle side, roll dough to the end of the roll.

7) Tuck sides under and with hands give a little flatten. Finish forming the remaining triangles into buns.

8) Cut the crescent triangle of dough, that was set aside. into strips for the crosses.

9) Roll the strips. Trim accordingly with butter knife.

This step is like playing with Play-Doh!

10) Put the remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture on a plate, to coat the rolled strips.

11) Place the cinnamon and sugar strips over the buns in a cross shape pattern.

12) Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

These baked for 12 minutes in a convection oven.

13) Cool on a wire rack.

14) Enjoy, with some warm maple syrup.

Teaching kids to cook is an important life skill. Starting will less complicated recipes such as this Hot Cross Bun recipe is liken to learning the alphabet before reading.

Another great reason to cook with kids is to spend quality time with each other. I love the simplicity of this recipe for busy working parents. I understand it’s fun to measure, mix and bake form scratch, but that is not always practical. Thw Friday before Easter, consider making Hot Cross Buns with your kids. I can hear you laughing and see them giggling, as you are rolling the dough and realizing the texture is somewhat worm-like. Have fun!

Happy Easter! See you soon!