Keeping hot cross buns fresh for as long as possible can be a challenge. Hot cross buns are best eaten within a day or two of baking, when they’re soft and delicious. But there are some tips and tricks you can use to extend their freshness.
Storing Hot Cross Buns
First, proper storage is key for keeping hot cross buns fresh. Here are some storage tips:
- Store hot cross buns at room temperature in a bread box or airtight container. Plastic bags are not ideal as they can cause the buns to go stale faster.
- You can also store them in the refrigerator, but make sure to take them out and bring them to room temperature before eating. The fridge will cause them to go stale faster.
- Frozen hot cross buns will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge before using.
- Avoid storing hot cross buns in very warm places or near direct sunlight, as the heat will accelerate staleness.
Reviving Stale Buns
If your hot cross buns are already starting to go stale, there are some tricks to revive them:
- Mist the buns lightly with water and bake at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to crisp up the outside.
- Microwave for 10-20 seconds to refresh.
- Slice and toast in the toaster or oven until crispy.
- Split the bun and toast open faced under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
Freezing Hot Cross Buns
Freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of hot cross buns for 2-3 months. Here’s how to freeze them:
- Allow buns to cool completely after baking, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container with a sheet of parchment between each bun.
- Squeeze out excess air and seal the container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen buns overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Reheat thawed buns in the oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until warmed through.
Frozen hot cross buns won’t be quite as soft as fresh, but they’ll still taste delicious!
How Long Do Hot Cross Buns Last?
When stored properly, here’s approximately how long hot cross buns will stay fresh:
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Room temperature | 2-3 days |
| Refrigerated | 1 week |
| Frozen | 2-3 months |
The sooner you eat or freeze fresh hot cross buns, the better they’ll taste. Stale buns can be revived, but they won’t be quite as delicious.
How to Tell if Hot Cross Buns Are Bad?
Here are some signs that hot cross buns have gone bad and should be discarded:
- Hard, dry texture
- Moldy spots
- Odd smell
- Crumbly, uneven appearance
- Tastes stale, sour, or unpleasant
If your hot cross buns develop any of these characteristics, it’s best to throw them out. Don’t eat hot cross buns that smell or taste unpleasant.
Preserving Freshness When Baking
Certain ingredients and techniques when baking hot cross buns will result in better freshness:
- Use bread flour instead of all-purpose – the higher gluten content helps retain moisture.
- Add milk or butter for extra softness and moisture.
- Brush cooled buns with butter or milk to preserve softness.
- Allow buns to rise twice for best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overbake – stopping when the internal temperature reaches 190-200°F prevents drying out.
How to Soften Stale Buns
If your hot cross buns have already gone a bit stale, you can soften them up using these methods:
- Mist with water and microwave 10-20 seconds.
- Wrap in foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.
- Slice and toast until crispy.
- Dip in milk then bake at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
While softened stale buns won’t be as delicious as fresh, these tricks can revive them enough to still enjoy.
Storing the Dough Before Baking
For the freshest hot cross buns, you’ll want to bake them as soon as the dough is ready. But if needed, here are some tips for storing the dough before baking:
- You can keep the shaped dough in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Place shaped buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment and cover lightly with plastic wrap.
- For longer storage, freeze the shaped dough for up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen dough overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Let thawed dough rise at room temp for 1-2 hours before baking.
Tips for Keeping Freshness
Follow these general tips for keeping your hot cross buns tasting great:
- Cool buns completely before storing.
- Use freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Place parchment between buns if stacking.
- Store at room temp no more than 3 days.
- Freeze for long term storage up to 3 months.
- Reheat before eating if refrigerated or frozen.
- Avoid refrigerating more than 1 week.
- Discard any moldy or foul smelling buns.
How to Refresh Stale Buns
Try these easy methods to refresh stale hot cross buns:
- Mist with water and microwave 10-20 seconds.
- Wrap in foil and bake at 350°F for 5 minutes.
- Toast in a toaster or oven until crispy.
- Slice and dip in milk, bake at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Split and toast open-faced under the broiler 2-3 minutes.
While not as good as fresh, these tricks can extend the life of hot cross buns that have started to go stale.
Storing in the Freezer
For long term storage in the freezer:
- Cool buns completely after baking.
- Place in freezer bags or airtight containers, with parchment between layers.
- Remove as much air as possible and seal.
- Label with contents and date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
With proper freezer storage, hot cross buns can last for months while still tasting delicious after thawing.
Conclusion
Keeping hot cross buns fresh requires storing them properly, freezing for long term storage, and reviving stale buns with tricks like misting with water or toasting. With the right techniques, you can enjoy the delicious flavor and texture of freshly baked hot cross buns for up to 3 days at room temperature, 1 week refrigerated, or 2-3 months frozen.
