Easy Hot Cross Muffins

Transform your favorite Easter treat into a simple, grab-and-go delight with these Easy Hot Cross Muffins! Bursting with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, and studded with plump raisins and zesty orange zest, these muffins deliver all the festive flavors of traditional hot cross buns in a fraction of the time. With a perfectly piped flour cross on top and a sweet powdered sugar glaze finish, they’re as stunning as they are delicious. Ready in just 35 minutes, these no-fuss muffins are perfect for busy mornings or as an on-the-go snack for spring celebrations. Whether served warm from the oven or cooled and glazed, these homemade hot cross muffins are sure to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoon ground allspice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup milk
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 0.75 cup raisins (or mixed dried fruit)
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour (for the cross topping)
• 3 tablespoons water (for the cross topping)
• 0.5 cup powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons milk (for glaze)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract.

Step 4

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 5

Fold in the raisins (or mixed dried fruit) and orange zest gently into the batter.

Step 6

Divide the batter evenly among the lined muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full.

Step 7

In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 cup flour and 3 tablespoons water to form a smooth paste. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or plastic zip-top bag with the corner snipped off.

Step 8

Pipe a cross over the top of each muffin.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

Step 10

Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 11

In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons of milk until smooth to create a glaze.

Step 12

Brush the glaze over the tops of the cooled muffins for a shiny finish.

Step 13

Serve and enjoy your Easy Hot Cross Muffins!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1048.8 grams (1048.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3264

Total Fat 111.70g	143%
Saturated Fat 65.70g	329%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.10g
Cholesterol 495mg	165%
Sodium 2294mg	100%
Total Carbohydrate 524.00g	191%
Dietary Fiber 17.20g	61%
Total Sugars 241.80g
Protein 51.50g	103%

Vitamin D 138IU	692%
Calcium 432mg	33%
Iron 18mg	101%
Potassium 1691mg	36%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.4%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 63.4%