The Ultimate Easter Hot Cross Bun Cake Recipe

A fresh take on Easter baking

Easter is a time for tradition, but let’s be honest—hot cross buns often steal the spotlight. And now, they’re about to get even better.

Introducing the hot cross bun cake! Have you heard about this—a delicious twist on the classic hot cross bun before?

It’s a moist, spiced cake that is packed with juicy dried fruit and rich caramel notes, bringing all the flavours of Easter into an easy-to-make treat.

The best part? Unlike traditional hot cross buns, this cake requires no kneading, yeast, or waiting. You simply bake hot cross bun sized dough balls into the shape of your choosing, and you end up with a hot cross bun pull-a-part cake.

If you’re a bakery or cafe owner and looking to refresh your Easter menu, turn up the heat and bake something unforgettable.

What makes this cake special?

This isn’t just another spiced cake—it’s got the soul of a hot cross bun in every bite. Here’s why you’ll love it:

Aromatic and nostalgic

Filled with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a touch of molasses for deep, rich flavour that takes you back to Easters of past.

Bursting with fruit 

Sultanas, raisins, and currants bring juicy sweetness to every bite.

Customisable toppings 

You can mix this up. Pair with zesty orange buttercream, fresh figs, or even a golden crumble of toasted hot cross bun crumbs.

It’s everything you love about Easter—and more—without the fuss.

Gather your ingredients

As any baker will tell you, it's all about the food prep. You won’t need anything too fancy—just a mix of pantry staples and a few Easter essentials.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the hot cross bun dough, and why each ingredient is important in the recipe.

Butter & brown sugar. A rich foundation with a caramel-like depth.

Eggs & vanilla. For structure and enhanced flavour.

Spices. The magic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, and ginger.

Molasses & buttermilk. Adds complexity and a hint of tang, just like a traditional bun.

Plain & wholemeal flour. A perfect balance for softness and heartiness.

Baking powder & sea salt. Ensures a light and fluffy texture.

Mixed dried fruits. Sultanas, raisins, and currants for that signature Easter taste.

Here are the ingredients that bring the topping to life. 

Zesty orange buttercream. A light, citrusy contrast to the warm spices (While you can buy ready-made orange buttercream online, most supermarkets stock ready-made vanilla buttercream in the baking aisle, which you can customise by mixing in fresh orange zest and squeeze a splash of orange juice).

Toasted bun crumbs. Add a little crunch.

Fresh figs or muscatels. An optional sweet finishing touch.

Ingredient list

For the hot cross bun cake:

• 125g unsalted butter, softened
• 150g brown sugar (light or dark for caramel depth)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp molasses
• 250ml buttermilk
• 250g plain flour
• 50g wholemeal flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp cardamom
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 200g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, currants)
• 2 tbsp warm water (for soaking the dried fruit)

For the buttercream:

• 200g unsalted butter, softened
• 400g icing sugar, sifted
• Zest of 1 large orange
• 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Simple steps to Easter baking bliss

Method

Step 1: Prep the oven & ingredients

• Preheat the oven to 175°C (fan-forced 160°C).
• Line a 20cm round cake tin with baking paper.
• Soak the dried fruit in 2 tbsp warm water for 10 minutes, then drain.

Step 2: Make the dough

• In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar together until creamy and fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract and molasses.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, salt, and spices.
• Fold half the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, followed by half the buttermilk. Repeat until fully combined.
• Gently fold in the soaked dried fruit.

Step 3: Bake the cake

• Pour the batter into the prepared tin and smooth the top.
• Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Make the buttercream

• In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), beat butter until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
• Gradually add icing sugar, beating well between additions.
• Mix in orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla extract, and beat for another 2 minutes until smooth.

Step 5: Toast the bun crumbs & decorate

• Crumble a stale hot cross bun into small pieces.
• Spread onto a baking tray and toast at 150°C for 10 minutes, until golden and crisp. Let cool.
• Frost the cooled cake with orange buttercream.
• Sprinkle with toasted bun crumbs and add fresh figs or muscatels for a final touch.

Serve it up in style

You will want to enjoy this warm and drizzle a bit of honey if you have it for extra indulgence. We also highly recommend pairing with a spiced chai or a strong espresso to complement each other.

And if you're feeling extra festive, pipe flour crosses onto baking paper, bake until crisp, and use them as edible cake toppers—the kids love these!

Pro tip

If you want to save time this Easter and get the same, if not a better, result, try this pro baking tip.

Use Suprima’s pre-made Hot Cross Bun Dough as the base for your cake! It’s as easy as:

• Frozen
• Thaw
• Create desired shape
• Add desired fillings/ toppings (optional)
• Proof
• Bake

There's no need to measure out spices or prepare dried fruit!

Marshall Thurlow is Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing, and project management.