With the Easter season around the corner, bakeries are gearing up to bring back those childhood memories of that instantly recognizable scent of raisin-studded hot cross buns baking in the oven.

You don't need to be a child to enjoy this traditional Easter treat. Sweet and sticky dough buns, risen with yeast and covered with dried fruit, cinnamon, and spices, hot cross buns are a favorite no matter what your age.

According to bakeryinfo.co.uk, a survey conducted by The Craft Bakers Association, which represents around 500 plus bakery businesses in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, 73 percentage of those surveyed predict a sale of up to 5,000 hot cross buns, and 3 percentage expected to sell more than one million in 2022. The survey also revealed a growing trend towards alternative flavors of hot cross buns, with the most popular ones being dark chocolate (35 percentage), apple and cinnamon (28 percentage), toffee (14 percentage), and coffee or mocha (7 percentage).

The classic hot cross bun made with raisins or currants never goes out of style. But if you're in the mood to switch things up a little this Easter, we bring you a few ideas to add that extra zest to your dough.

A Fruity Flavor

The classic recipe for hot cross buns calls for dried fruit, but you can experiment with different types of fruit to add more flavor and color to your buns. Dried cranberries, raisins, apricots, or even fresh berries can add a delicious and colorful twist.

Season With Spices

If you want to give your hot cross buns that little extra kick, try adding a few spices to the dough. A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ground ginger will give you a warm, spicy flavor.

A Chocolate Affair

Chocolate and bread have always been a match made in heaven, so why not add a bit of this sweetness to your hot cross buns You can include some chocolate chips or chunks to your dough for a rich, chocolaty twist on the classic recipe. You could also drizzle melted chocolate over the buns after they come out of the oven for a decadent finish.

The Easter Donut

Converting the hot cross bun into a hot cross donut is becoming quite a tasty trend as well. While donuts can be enjoyed any time of the year, you can add an Easter twist to your favorite tea-time snack. Bunny donuts are a fun-shaped preparation that uses frosting or melted chocolate to give them a bunny look. Another option is to add sprinkles and pastel colors to egg-shaped donuts for that festive touch. You can even top your donuts with marshmallows and then toast them under the broiler until they are golden brown and gooey. This will give the donuts a delicious, toasty flavor that is perfect for Easter.

So, whether these delicious treats are priced at “one a penny or two a penny”, hot cross buns are a must-have during this Easter season. DKSH offers a wide variety of ingredients that cater to the bakery industry’s latest trends in innovative Easter preparations. Contact us to learn more.

Sources:

• Origin of hot cross buns: A brief history of the Easter treat
• The history of the hot cross bun
• Craft bakers predict hot cross bun sales will soar in 2022

About the author

James Van Rij is General Manager, Food and Beverage Ingredients at DKSH Australia. James has 18 years of experience in ingredients distribution. As a food technologist, James is able to connect with the global ingredient network to support food businesses, help transform the food industry, and provide consumers with amazing culinary experiences.