BREAD AHEAD LAUNCHES NEW 90-MINUTE HOT CROSS BUN EXPERIENCE AHEAD OF EASTER

The arrival of hot cross bun season is one of the sweetest signs that Easter is on the horizon. This year, iconic London bakery Bread Ahead is celebrating the occasion by launching a brand-new baking class designed for busy food lovers: the Hot Cross Bun Experience.

Known for its artisan doughnuts and bakery workshops, Bread Ahead traditionally releases its hot cross buns the day after Shrove Tuesday — and 2026 is no different. But alongside the return of the beloved Easter treat, the bakery has introduced a shorter workshop format that allows participants to learn one signature bake in just 90 minutes.

A New Short-Format Baking Workshop

The Hot Cross Bun Experience is a hands-on baking class that focuses entirely on mastering the classic Easter favourite. Perfect for beginners or those short on time, the session teaches participants how to create the bakery’s famous buns from scratch.

During the workshop, Bread Ahead’s professional bakers guide guests through every stage of the process — from mixing and kneading the dough to shaping, baking and glazing the finished buns.

At the end of the session, participants can enjoy their freshly baked hot cross buns with tea or coffee, and take their creations home to share.

Hot Cross Bun Experience details:

• Format: 90-minute hands-on baking workshop

• Focus: Making Bread Ahead’s signature hot cross buns

• Price: £35 per person

• Location: Bread Ahead Bakery School, London

Spaces for workshops in the run-up to Easter are already available and are expected to sell out quickly.

Book the experience here: https://www.breadahead.com/product/hot-cross-bun-express-experience

Bread Ahead’s Classic Hot Cross Bun Recipe

Hot cross buns are a quintessential Easter bake, traditionally enjoyed across the UK during the weeks leading up to Easter Sunday. Bread Ahead typically produces them for just one month each year, making them a highly anticipated seasonal treat.

Here’s how to recreate them at home.

Ingredients

For the buns

• 250g strong white bread flour

• 3g fine sea salt

• 40g caster sugar

• 30g unsalted butter, softened

• 8g fresh yeast (or 4g dried active yeast)

• 140g full-fat milk

• 40g sultanas

• 25g mixed candied peel

• 2g mixed spice

• 3g ground nutmeg

For the cross

• 100g strong white bread flour

• Pinch of sea salt

• 120g water

For the glaze

• 100g soft light brown sugar

• 20g lemon juice

• 80g water

Method

1. Make the dough

Place the flour, salt, sugar and butter in a bowl and rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles sand. Mix the yeast with the milk until dissolved, then add it to the bowl and combine everything into a rough dough.

2. Knead

Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead for around five minutes until smooth. Stretch it out slightly, add the dried fruit and spices, then fold and roll until evenly distributed.

3. First prove

Place the dough in a bowl, cover and leave at room temperature for about one hour, or until doubled in size.

4. Shape the buns

Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 65g pieces and roll each into a smooth ball. Place on the tray with space between each bun. Cover and leave to prove for another hour.

5. Prepare the cross mixture

Mix the flour, salt and water until smooth, then transfer to a piping bag.

6. Make the glaze

Combine sugar, lemon juice and water in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for about five minutes.

7. Bake

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan. Pipe crosses over each bun and bake for about 16 minutes until golden.

8. Glaze

Remove the buns from the oven and place on a cooling rack. After two minutes, brush with the glaze for a glossy finish.

From seasonal baking workshops to iconic Easter treats, Bread Ahead continues to prove why it remains one of London’s most beloved bakeries. Whether you attend the new Hot Cross Bun Experience or try the recipe at home, there’s no better way to celebrate the arrival of Easter baking season.