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You are here: Home / Bread / Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns

Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns

Updated 19 April 2025 Published 1 April 2021 83 Comments

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Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns being glazed Pinterest Image
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns Pinterest Image
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns - healthier than your usual Hot Cross Bun and incredibly delicious! Packed full of apple chunks, currants & mixed spice you're in for a treat! #HotCrossBun #HotCrossBunRecipes #HealthyRecipes #WholemealHotCrossBuns #AppleHotCrossBuns #WholemealRecipes #WholemealFlourRecipes #Yeast #Baking #EasterRecipes
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns recipe Pinterest image. montage
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns recipe Pinterest image of buns cooling on a wire rack.
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns recipe Pinterest image. montage
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns recipe Pinterest image.
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns recipe Pinterest image.
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns recipe Pinterest image of buns cooling on a wire rack.
Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns on wire rack Pinterest Image

Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns are a healthier Easter teatime treat with added chunks of apple, currants and mixed spice! Readers come back and make these year on year they’re so good!

NB: I originally posted this recipe in April 2014 and last year took some more photos which I didn’t get round to adding. I’ve now added these and you’ll notice they don’t contain currants as I only had large raisins and cranberries so used those along with the apple.

I’ve kept  a couple of original pictures in this post so you can see how they should look with currants!

I’m feeling a bit tired and dizzy today as I was up until 1 am last night! No I wasn’t out clubbing but was perfecting my recipe for Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns.

I’m not much of a one for planning, indeed I’d intended to make a Hot Cross Bread & Butter Pudding this week. But suddenly I found myself deciding to make Hot Cross Buns which I had only ever made once at school.

Aerial view of Wholemeal Hot Cross Bun with butter and rhubarb jam spread on.

I didn’t really have much of a relationship with bread making in my youth and it’s only in the last couple of years that it’s become a passion of mine. Therefore I felt it was high time that I made my own Hot Cross Buns! So armed with my old school recipe I started my bake.

Well the first hurdle was that I only had strong wholemeal flour and not white flour. “I know” I thought, “I’m sure I’ve seen Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns for sale I’ll make those”!

A quick google told me that in a taste test some Apple & Cinnamon ones had only scored 4.5 out of 10 so I decided to stick with the traditional mixed spice.

Sugar glaze being painted onto freshly baked hot cross bun.

I played about with the recipe I had chopping and changing things here and there but stuck to the one rising, which is where I tripped up. After baking, out came some small, slightly over cooked but delicious hot cross buns which were too close in texture and not like the light fluffy ones you buy in a bakery or supermarket.

Sometimes I might just give up on a recipe but I could see that there was huge potential here. I just needed to tweak a few things like adding a bit more yeast, giving the dough an extra rise, increasing the proving time and lowering the oven temperature.

Close up of Wholemeal Hot Cross Bun with butter and rhubarb jam spread on.

So at 12.45 am last night (or should I say this morning) I was giving my husband a portion of buttered Hot Cross Bun and asking his opinion. He did protest that he didn’t want to eat just before going to sleep but I was insistent – “perfect” he said, after finally relenting to my request.

“Great, I’ve cracked it” I said and went to bed tired but happy!

Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns cooling on a rack.
Original shot where you can see I used currants!

So the moral of the story is, Hot Cross Buns don’t like to be rushed. I hope you give these Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns a go this Easter as they are totally delicious and far healthier than their white cousins.

How long will Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns keep for?

Hot Cross Buns are best eaten on the day of baking but can be stored for a couple of days and then toasted.

Can you freeze these homemade Hot Cross Buns?

Yes, just freeze on the day of baking in a reusable bag with as much air removed as possible.

Wholemeal Hot Cross Buns on a wire rack.

What do you serve Wholemeal Hot Cross Buns with?

You can serve with just butter or butter an jam. I added my Rhubarb & Vanilla Jam to these but any jam would go well!

Close up of Wholemeal Hot Cross Bun with butter and rhubarb jam spread on.

My biggest tip for making Hot Cross Buns!

Make sure you space the Hot Cross Bun dough on the baking tray 3 cm apart maximum so that as they rise, they touch. You want that broken away, pulled dough edge to them once they’ve baked.

They don’t want to look like individual buns which is the mistake I made when I re-shot as I had them too spaced apart!

Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns with flour & water crosses before baking.
Adding the flour and water crosses to the Wholemeal Hot Cross Bun dough.

More Hot Cross Bun Recipes

Once you’ve made my wholemeal buns you should check out these Hot Cross Buns from fellow bloggers!

  • Apple & Carrot Healthy Hot Cross Buns (Vegan)
  • Carrot & Ginger Hot Cross Buns
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns
  • Choc Cross Buns
  • Chocolate Orange Hot Cross Buns
  • Sourdough Hot Cross Buns 
  • Hot Cross Buns

More Easter Recipes

Easter is all about treats so be sure to head over to the following recipes!

Mini Egg Chocolate Granola Bites in petit four cases on glass pedestal.
  • Mini Egg Chocolate Granola Bites
  • Creme Egg Chocolate Brownies
  • Creme Egg Chocolate Cake
  • Mini Egg Chocolate Rice Crispy Cake
  • Chocolate Filled Easter Egg (made with no fancy equipment)
  • Hot Cross Bun Mug Cake
A stack of Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns - fruity & delicious!
Another original shot showing the currants!

Happy Easter to you all!

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Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns on wire rack Pinterest Image

Leave a comment and rating below when you’ve made this recipe; I love getting your feedback! You can also share your pictures by tagging @FabFood4All over on Instagram.

Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns on a wire rack - aerial view.
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Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Buns

A Wholemeal Apple Hot Cross Bun without mixed peel but with apple, currants and mixed spice for a really delicioius alternative to a traditional version!
Course Snack
Cuisine British
Prep Time 2 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 3 hours hours
Servings 12
Author Camilla Hawkins

Ingredients

  • 75 ml Milk hand hot
  • 75 ml Water hand hot
  • 1 tsp Caster sugar
  • 12 g Active yeast (or 7 g sachet of fast action yeast) dried (see notes for fast-action yeast instructions)
  • 325 g Strong wholemeal flour
  • 50 g Butter
  • 1 tsp Mixed Spice
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • 25 g Caster sugar I keep a vanilla pod in mine or you could substitute a tsp for vanilla sugar
  • 50 g Currants (or similar small dried fruit)
  • 1 Apple chopped into small pieces (I used small Braeburn)
  • 1 Egg lightly beaten

For Crosses

  • 50 g Plain flour
  • 5 tbsp Water approx.

For Sugar Glaze

  • 2 tbsp Granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp Water

Instructions

  • Mix the warm milk and water with the tsp of sugar, sprinkle on the active yeast (if using) and whisk thoroughly. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients (a nice froth should build up).
  • Put the flour in a large bowl and cut the butter into it and then rub into the flour to form fine crumbs.
  • Mix in the mixed spice, salt, caster sugar, currants and apple thoroughly.
  • Make a well in the centre and add the yeast mixture and beaten egg and form a dough – I used my hand for this as you can gauge the consistency better – adding extra flour or milk if needed.
  • Once you have cleaned the sides of your bowl with the dough, tip out onto a work surface and knead for 10 minutes.
  • Then put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place for 1 – 1 ½ hours until doubled in size.
  • Once risen turn out onto a lightly oiled work surface and knock back all the air and knead until back to its original size.
  • Make 12 balls of dough (I weigh the dough and divide the figure by 12 so mine weighed 65g each). I also knead each ball into a neat bun shape.
  • Place the dough balls onto a lightly greased baking tray 3cm apart, cover in lightly oiled cling film and put to rise for about 45 minutes or until doubled in size.
  • Meanwhile make up the cross mixture by mixing the flour and water together to make a smooth paste.
  • Place paste in a piping bag with a small plain nozzle or make your own out of baking paper and snip off the corner when ready to use.
  • Make the glaze by heating the sugar and water in a small pan until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 200⁰C, 180⁰C fan, 390⁰F or Gas Mark 6.
  • When the buns have risen mark each one with a cross using the side of a metal scewer (so that you have a line to fill with the cross mixture).
  • Pipe the flour paste crosses onto the buns working all the way in one direction across the buns and then in the other.
  • Bake for 12 – 15 minutes (turning towards the end if necessary for an even bake).
  • Once ready take out of the oven and using a pastry brush paint the glaze over each bun.
  • Place the buns on a wire rack and either serve warm or cold with butter.

Notes

If you wish to use fast-action yeast then skip step 1 and add the dried yeast to the flour and rub in the butter. Then, when you should add the yeast mixture, add the milk and water and continue with the recipe as written.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diane

    20/04/2022 at 4:36 pm

    I’ve just made these and to me there is not enough sugar
    Mine did not rise after the first one after making them into balls
    Not sure what I done wrong

    Reply
    • Camilla

      20/04/2022 at 9:34 pm

      Hi Diane, you could add more sugar if you prefer, it’s not a comment I’ve had before but we’re all different. As for the buns not rising the second time, how long did you leave them for. Perhaps the weather was cold, if so the proving would take longer unless you had them in a warm place like an airing cupboard.

      Reply
  2. Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

    10/04/2021 at 4:18 pm

    Thanks for sharing, these look a lovely twist on the traditional hot cross bun 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      11/04/2021 at 12:05 am

      Thanks Nic, they are fab:-)

      Reply
  3. Rebekah

    29/04/2020 at 2:57 pm

    Why not fast action yeast? Asking as it’s the only one I have!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      29/04/2020 at 4:47 pm

      Hi Rebekah, fast action yeast is added straight in with the flour and as I haven’t used this method for this recipe I can’t vouch for how it would turn out. I could be perfectly fine, perhaps Google a Hot Cross Bun recipe that uses it and then you could adapt mine!

      Reply
  4. David

    09/04/2020 at 12:39 pm

    Wow…. just made these… and what a recipe… well done… why use White flour when Strong Wholemeal gives such a great result!!! Thanks greatly

    Reply
    • Camilla

      09/04/2020 at 6:56 pm

      Yay David, I just made them this afternoon too. So glad you like the recipe:-)

      Reply
  5. Choclette

    28/02/2019 at 6:53 pm

    Oh my, these hot cross buns of yours are making me soooooooooo hungry! Love it that you used wholemeal flour and apple too – my sort of bake.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      28/02/2019 at 10:07 pm

      Thanks Choclette, they win on being healthier and totally delicious too:-)

      Reply
  6. Kate Hackworthy

    28/02/2019 at 10:09 am

    I love shine on yours! they look great and I love the flavours. Thanks for linking to my carrot and ginger hot cross buns.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      28/02/2019 at 11:45 am

      Thank you Katherine, it’s lovely how diverse Hot Cross Buns have become:-)

      Reply
  7. Janice

    27/02/2019 at 1:40 pm

    I’ve never managed to make light textured Hot Cross Buns, I must try your recipe, they look delicious.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      27/02/2019 at 2:39 pm

      Thank you Janice, I finally nailed them:-)

      Reply
  8. Mandy

    27/02/2019 at 11:15 am

    You’re so right Camilla – they really do need to take their time, but they’re so worth the wait! Thanks for linking to mine.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      27/02/2019 at 2:42 pm

      A pleasure Mandy:-)

      Reply
  9. Sophie Jo

    09/02/2019 at 9:09 am

    I wonder if I could use nativa as a sugar replacement?

    Reply
    • Camilla

      09/02/2019 at 11:47 am

      I’m afraid I won’t use or eat sugar replacements so not the best person to ask. But if you can find another hot cross bun recipe that uses it then that would be your answer.

      Reply
    • Camilla

      09/02/2019 at 12:06 pm

      I don’t use sweeteners so wouldn’t like to say but if other hot cross bun recipes use them then that would be your answer.

      Reply
  10. Lisa Williams

    24/11/2015 at 1:35 pm

    ahhh yes hot cross buns that Christmas tradition …. or at least that is what I am telling everyone so that I can make these now 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      24/11/2015 at 2:48 pm

      Noo – wait until Easter or just leave the crosses off:-)

      Reply
  11. Maya Russell

    25/09/2015 at 10:32 am

    These are delicious freshly made and still warm, with butter.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      25/09/2015 at 4:51 pm

      Too true:-)

      Reply
  12. David Clarke

    15/09/2015 at 3:08 pm

    Look so tasty, never thought about wholemeal with apple especially hot cross buns

    Reply
    • Camilla

      15/09/2015 at 11:17 pm

      Thanks David, they are lush:-)

      Reply
  13. Jane Davies

    18/04/2015 at 11:38 am

    These look lovely, being Welsh I’m sure these will go down a treat at ours ! 😀

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/04/2015 at 8:13 pm

      Thank you Jane – they are a bit special:-)

      Reply
  14. William Gould

    06/04/2015 at 8:33 am

    Great idea! My wife doesn’t like the “mixed peel” bits in some recipes, probably why she won’t eat Hot Cross Buns, substituting apple should do the trick!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      06/04/2015 at 5:23 pm

      That’s just like my husband LOL!

      Reply
  15. Paul Wilson

    23/11/2014 at 12:09 am

    Look really tasty.

    Reply
  16. Jo Hutchinson

    13/11/2014 at 12:24 am

    hot crossed buns with a twist.

    Reply
  17. Ursula Hunt

    12/11/2014 at 7:57 am

    Might be nearly christmas but I still make and enjoy these

    Reply
  18. Anne Dalzell

    06/11/2014 at 10:22 pm

    I’m sitting here, a little bit hungry and dreaming of a tasty snack. can you send some of these to Belfast please Camilla? x

    Reply
    • Camilla

      07/11/2014 at 2:15 pm

      I’m glad you like them I was up til 1am in the morning perfecting this recipe:-)

      Reply
  19. tracy nixon

    18/10/2014 at 7:00 am

    Great for Halloween as the crosses could represent a cross to kill Dracula!!!!

    Reply
  20. Kat Tew

    05/07/2014 at 6:12 pm

    Wish it was Easter so I had a good excuse to bake these 🙂

    Reply
  21. Heather Haigh

    26/06/2014 at 9:51 am

    Extra healthy, extra tasty hot cross buns – I love it!

    Reply
  22. Felicity Kelly

    21/06/2014 at 10:06 am

    These look very tempting, thankyou

    Reply
  23. Paul Wilson

    18/06/2014 at 12:03 am

    I like the idea of wholemeal and apple.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/06/2014 at 7:32 am

      Thanks, they do make a nice change:-)

      Reply
  24. Bev

    30/05/2014 at 9:57 pm

    Sounds like a lovely variation.

    Reply
  25. June Etherington

    30/04/2014 at 4:54 pm

    These are absoluely delicious & I don’t like hot cross buns but I do these ones

    Reply
    • Camilla

      01/05/2014 at 4:35 pm

      Thank you, they were good:-)

      Reply
  26. Ursula Hunt

    27/04/2014 at 11:42 am

    Easter may have passed but I will not be stopping making my hot cross buns

    Reply
    • Camilla

      27/04/2014 at 11:47 am

      Exactly, if you like something make it. You could even leave the cross off as it’s no longer Easter;-)

      Reply
  27. Ursula Hunt

    20/04/2014 at 12:33 pm

    The apple is a delicious addition

    Reply
    • Camilla

      20/04/2014 at 1:57 pm

      It most certainly is:-)

      Reply
  28. helen atkins

    19/04/2014 at 9:46 am

    I love hot cross buns, will be giving these ago

    Reply
  29. donnakent

    18/04/2014 at 11:45 pm

    These are far beyond my skill level but they sound delicious.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      19/04/2014 at 12:20 am

      Aah thank you, if you follow the instructions to the tee you can’t go wrong:-) The trick is not to kill the yeast with too hot water at the beginning and then the rest is mainly a waiting game!

      Reply
  30. Laura Caraher

    18/04/2014 at 9:50 pm

    These look delicious I’m going to try baking a batch myself tomorrow 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/04/2014 at 11:00 pm

      Thank you, do let me know how you get on:-)

      Reply
  31. Kirsty Mills

    18/04/2014 at 9:44 pm

    They sound delicious!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/04/2014 at 11:00 pm

      Thank you, they are well worth the effort:-)

      Reply
  32. igu04366

    18/04/2014 at 6:19 pm

    These look great. Might try and make some tomorrow.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/04/2014 at 11:02 pm

      Thank you, hope you do manage to:-)

      Reply
  33. natz101

    18/04/2014 at 4:30 pm

    Oooh, these look lovely!! I do like to make things that are slightly different from the norm!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/04/2014 at 11:03 pm

      Thank you:-)

      Reply
  34. Sarah N

    18/04/2014 at 3:57 pm

    These look wonderful. I’d like to try making them myself.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      18/04/2014 at 11:04 pm

      Thank you, I hope you do:-)

      Reply
  35. Ursula Hunt

    17/04/2014 at 1:44 pm

    I love hot cross buns especially warm with lots of butter

    Reply
  36. Paul Wilson

    17/04/2014 at 12:55 am

    They look delicious.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/04/2014 at 9:35 pm

      Thank you:-)

      Reply
  37. Lorna MacFadyen

    16/04/2014 at 11:57 pm

    I’ve never tried to make hot cross buns before, these look lovely! And like the sound of the apple. Think I might attempt to make these on Sunday! xx

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/04/2014 at 9:35 pm

      Brilliant, do let me know how you get on:-)

      Reply
  38. Suzanne Jackson

    15/04/2014 at 4:31 pm

    These sound amazing! I’ve never even considered making my own hot cross buns, I’m usually lazy and buy them!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/04/2014 at 9:43 pm

      Thanks. If you’re entertaining at Easter it’s nice to say “I made these” and they taste so good hot out of the oven:-)

      Reply
  39. Rachel O'neill

    15/04/2014 at 8:58 am

    wow they sound great, hope you win them all!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/04/2014 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you:-)

      Reply
  40. Maya Russell

    15/04/2014 at 6:28 am

    I always try and get wholemeal hot cross buns – so much better for your stomach. Now I have the opportunity to make some too. I have printed off the recipe and am going to double up.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/04/2014 at 9:47 pm

      Exactly! My kids will only eat wholemeal bread so I’m pleased I made these as I think wholemeal is far tastier anyway:-) So pleased you’re going to make them, do let me know how you got on:-)

      Reply
  41. Herbert Appleby

    14/04/2014 at 11:34 pm

    these look very appetising and healthy!!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      17/04/2014 at 9:48 pm

      Thank you, they were very tasty:-)

      Reply
  42. Deena Kakakya

    14/04/2014 at 10:38 pm

    Now here’s a good idea, they look indulgent, I bet they taste glorious too and they aren’t so naughty. I’m all fir that xx

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/04/2014 at 10:45 pm

      Thanks Deena, I may have OD’d on them LOL:-)

      Reply
  43. Carolyn Clapham

    14/04/2014 at 9:48 pm

    Mmm – I’m hungry now. Those sound delicious!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/04/2014 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you – they are:-)

      Reply
  44. Janice

    14/04/2014 at 8:40 pm

    They look fantastic Camilla. Well done for persevering.

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/04/2014 at 9:10 pm

      Thank you Janice, I was like a woman possessed last night LOL! I wouldn’t let it lie – so happy with the result:-)

      Reply
  45. Javelin Warrior

    14/04/2014 at 7:59 pm

    My mom makes these buns every year at Easter and I can never get enough 😉 It’s definitely hard to stop at just one. Of course, my mom also adds a couple stripes of frosting for the cross – which might have something to do with my enjoyment 🙂 Very tasty and beautiful buns, Camilla!

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/04/2014 at 9:11 pm

      Thank you! Mmm, not come across frosting but that sounds like a delicious idea Mark, bet your mom’s buns are ace:-)

      Reply
  46. YOLANDA DAVIS

    14/04/2014 at 6:51 pm

    theses look so good, easy to make so i cant wait to try making them

    Reply
    • Camilla

      14/04/2014 at 9:11 pm

      Oh do let me know if you do:-)

      Reply

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