Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns

Name: Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Ingredients: 380 gm Warm milk; 14 gm Yeast; 60 gm Castor sugar; 600 gm Flour; 80 gm Butter cold; 75 gm Dried fruit (hydrated); 1 Apple (peeled & cut into cubes); 1 Egg; 1 tsp Cinnamon powder; 1/4 tsp Nutmeg powder; 1/2 tsp Salt; 50 gm Flour; 50 gm Water; 1 Egg egg wash; 2 tbsp Demerara sugar; 3 tbsp Honey; 3 Apples (peeled & finely diced); 2 tbsp Butter; 3 tbsp Brown sugar; 2 tbsp Maple syrup; 1 tsp Vanilla; 2 tbsp Corn flour; 1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder; Pinch of Salt; 3/4 cup Water

Fluffy and buttery hot cross buns with apple chunks in the dough, stuffed with a homemade apple pie filling. This hot cross bun recipe is perfect for easter and make for a delicious sweet treat.

If you know any thing about me let it be this: I LOVE HOT CROSS BUNS. I make them every year and also bake up a variety of them as well. They are so simple to make and honestly so delicious. We don’t need much to make them and you can serve with tea, take them on a picnic, bring to easter brunch or just have them on their own once out of the oven.

These hot cross buns are more dessert than they are bread. They have the gooey and saucy cinnamon apple filling that is simple to make but so delicious. The buns are fluffy and buttery, so soft and pillowy like, making each bite the perfect combination of sweet bread and apple pie filling. You could use store bought apple pie filling but honestly, it is so simple to make you can make a large batch and serve it up on toast, yogurt or even with ice cream. Let us get to it.

What are hot cross buns?

Hot cross buns mark the end of the Christian season of lent. The bun itself has many meanings depending on the country you come from. Some say the cross depicts the crucifixion of Jesus, while the spices inside signify the spices used to embalm him during the burial. There are many stories on why it signifies however we will not get into every story/belief.

What are Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns?

Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns are basically apple pie filling stuffed into fluffy hot cross buns. The dough has apple chunks in them and for the spices we stock to cinnamon and nutmeg to enhance the apple pie flavor. The buns are topped with Demerara sugar to give it a delicious crunch (to create the “crust”)

What ingredients do you need to make these Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns?

To make these hot cross buns we need all purpose flour, sugar, instant yeast, salt, butter, milk and egg. Additionally we add a mixture of spices such as cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder and we add a mixture of dried fruit such as golden raisins, black raisins, fruit peel, chopped dates and apricots and freshly diced apples. I like to give the buns an egg wash before baking and a sprinkle of granulated sugar to give that crunch. A good brush of honey after baking gives it that glossy and sticky buns look. You will need oil to help roll the dough into buns, this helps it from sticking. To make the apple pie filling we need apples, butter, brown sugar, corn flour, cinnamon powder, vanilla, water and a little maple syrup.

What substitutes can you use to make these Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns?

Flour –

I have made these buns with all purpose flour, self raising flour and bread flour. I have tried making them with half whole meal flour and half all purpose flour – the result is a little denser bun but they taste delicious.

Eggless –

To keep these buns eggless you can swap the egg in the dough for 30 ml extra milk. As for the egg wash you can use whipping cream instead but you wont get that deep dark golden color once baked.

Butter –

Any butter works here, a vegan butter spread works well too.

Sugar –

I’ve used granulated white sugar to make this recipe but you can use brown sugar, honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar as well.

Milk –

I have made this recipe with full fat milk but you can use vegan mylks as well. I have tried making this recipe with water and it works but the flavor is not as rich as it is with milk.

Spices –

I love the addition of cinnamon and nutmeg powder here to enhance the apple pie flavor. But you can use any spices you like. I have also used orange zest sometimes as well in the dough and they are delicious. A little vanilla gives it a more dessert vibe.

Yeast –

You need this to make the recipe. I have used instant yeast as it works faster but active dry yeast also works absolutely fine. If you are using fresh yeast, use half the amount suggested in the recipe.

Honey –

If you don’t like the taste of honey brush the hot buns with marmalade or apricot jam as well.

Fruit –

I have used a combination of dry fruits like raisins, sultanas, dates, apricots, cranberries and mixed peel. I have also used fresh apple chunks here to add more apple flavor into the dough. You can use any mixture of dry fruits you prefer. Sometimes I like adding a few chocolate chips into the dough as well.

What equipment do you need to make these Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns?

We need a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon or your hands to mix the dough together. Cling film to cover the dough. A baking tray and baking paper to line the try. A dough scraper would really help with cutting and handling the dough. If you do not have a scrapper you can use a rubber spatula to help with that. To make the apple pie filling we need a knife, chopping board, sauté pan, lid and rubber spatula. I have used a piping bag to fill the buns once baked with a large round tip nozzle.

How to make these Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns?

If your dried fruits are hard hydrate them in a little warm water for a few minutes before starting. We start by blooming the yeast in a small bowl with warm milk and sugar. Stir and set aside for 10 mins until frothy. In a large mixing bowl add the flour and butter, rub them together until they resemble fine bread crumbs. Add the softened dry fruits, apple chunks into the bowl with the salt, spices and distribute evenly. Add the egg and milk yeast mixture. Mix everything together until combined and no dry pockets. The dough will be sticky and that’s perfect. Clean your hands using the scraper and add olive oil onto your hands and the dough. Using the scrapper bring it together and briefly shape with your hands. Place the dough into the oiled bowl, cover and leave to rise for over an hour until doubled in volume.

In the mean time make the apple pie filling, peel and finely dice the apples. In a saute pan add the butter, diced apples, add the brown sugar, vanilla, pinch of salt, cinnamon powder and turn on the heat to medium. Cook until everything is combined and looking saucy, add the corn flour and water, stir together with a rubber spatula and cook for 5-8 minutes until softened. The mixture will thicken however if it is too thick add a little more water, we want it to be a jam consistency but keep in mind it ill set and firm up as it cools down. Take if off the heat, allow to cool before mixing it with double cream to loosen the filling and to give it a custard like texture. Transfer the filling to a piping bag fitted with a wide round nozzle. Place in the fridge until needed.

Back to the dough, after it has risen, remove the covering and oil your hands well before knocking the dough back. Transfer to a clean work surface and bang the dough onto the surface multiple times until it is smooth and not sticky. As and when required add more oil on your hands or the surface to avoid it from sticking. Portion the dough into 14 pieces, roll the dough into balls and transfer to the baking tray lined with baking paper. Cover and leave to rise for 15 – 20 mins until they are bigger.

At this time, preheat the oven to 180℃. Let us make the mixture for the crosses, mix the flour and water together until combined, transfer to a piping bag. Once the buns have risen, brush them with an egg wash, sprinkle over the Demerara sugar and pipe them with the cross mixture. Bake them for 22-25 mins. They will be done when they are golden and risen, they will also have a hollow sound if you tap them. They will have a crust while they are hot. Flip them upside down and make an incision into each bun with a knife. Pipe the apple pie filling into each bun and cover with baking paper and another tray to help flip them back up. Brush the top with honey when they are warm, let them cool down a little before serving. Serve with coffee,

Note: If you are making 20 smaller buns I would recommend baking the bread for 18-20 mins until done.

Serving & storing these Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns?

Once these buns have been stuffed, I prefer serving them warm. You could totally store them in the fridge for 5 days, in an air tight container. Alternatively you can freeze them for 2 weeks and when ready to eat, warm them in the microwave for 15-30 seconds until soft and warmed through. They are delicious with black coffee but I also love them on their own. With the addition of the apple pie filling these do not need any butter. They are pretty heavy so 1 bun is substantial enough for a delicious tea time snack or sweet breakfast option.

Looking for more Easter inspired recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this Apple Pie Hot Cross Buns, you can have a look at the video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more baking recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.