Honey-Soaked Hot Cross Buns with Melora 40MGO Manuka Honey

Honey-Soaked Hot Cross Buns with Melora 40MGO Manuka Honey

Soft, spiced, and naturally sweet – a springtime favourite made even better with Melora.

Whether you're baking for Easter, a spring brunch, or simply craving a wholesome, fragrant treat, these honey-glazed hot cross buns are the perfect bake. With Melora 40MGO Manuka Honey, you get a naturally sweet finish along with a dose of nature’s goodness in every bite.

Ingredients

For the Buns:

  • 1 packet dry yeast

  • 1/4 cup warm water, plus 2 tablespoons

  • 3/4 cup milk

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons Melora 40MGO Manuka Honey (plus more for glazing)

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 3 eggs

  • 2/3 cup raisins or currants

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra as needed)

For the Frosting:

  • 1 cup caster sugar

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 1 tablespoon Melora 40MGO Manuka Honey

Method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry yeast with warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

  2. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the milk, butter, salt, and 2 tablespoons of Melora Manuka Honey. Stir until the butter is just melted—do not boil. Pour the warm mixture into the yeast and stir to combine.

  3. Whisk in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and eggs. Add raisins or currants. Slowly mix in the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.

  4. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.

  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and allow it to rise in a warm spot until doubled in size (about 1 hour).

  6. Punch down the dough and divide it into 24 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball and place them side by side in a greased 9x13-inch pan. Let rise again for 30 minutes.

  7. Use a sharp knife to cut a small cross into the top of each bun.

  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes. Then remove, brush generously with Melora Manuka Honey, and return to the oven for another 5 minutes.

  9. Meanwhile, make the frosting by whisking together the confectioner’s sugar, honey, and water.

  10. Once the buns are baked and cooled for 10 minutes, pipe or drizzle a cross over each one with the frosting.

Why Use Melora 40MGO Manuka Honey?

Melora’s 40MGO Manuka Honey is a gentle yet potent natural sweetener, full of floral richness and wellness benefits. It enhances these buns with a touch of golden goodness—bringing out the spices, fruit, and that signature soft interior.

Perfect for sharing or savouring alone with a cup of tea, these buns are sure to become your new spring tradition.

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