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Mary Berry Chelsea buns

Mary Berry's Chelsea Buns Recipe

Soft, pillowy yeasted dough wraps around a fragrant filling of warm pumpkin pie spice, bright orange zest, golden raisins, and currants, then bakes until golden and glazed with honey. This approachable recipe delivers sophisticated flavor with reasonable rise times, producing twelve gorgeous buns with layers of complex taste in every warm, spiced bite.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 Buns
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: British
Calories: 245

Ingredients
  

  • 3⅓ cups bread flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp butter plus 4 tbsp more for the filling
  • 1 × ¼oz 7g package fast-acting dried yeast
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • About ¾ cup lukewarm milk
  • 1 extra-large egg beaten
  • Sunflower oil for greasing
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar for filling
  • cup golden raisins
  • cup currants
  • Grated zest of 1 orange
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Method
 

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C) and preparing your dough. Combine 3⅓ cups bread flour with 1 tsp salt in a large bowl, then rub in 4 tbsp butter and 1 × ¼oz (7g) package fast-acting dried yeast.
  2. Stir in 2 tbsp granulated sugar, then create a well in the center and pour in about ¾ cup lukewarm milk and 1 beaten extra-large egg. Mix until a soft dough forms. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead thoroughly until smooth and elastic—this typically takes 8-10 minutes.
  3. Shape the dough into a round, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with oiled plastic wrap, and allow it to rise in a warm location for 1–1½ hours until it has doubled in size.
  4. While the dough rises, prepare the filling by creaming 4 tbsp butter with 2 tbsp light brown sugar until well combined. In a separate bowl, mix together ⅓ cup golden raisins, ⅓ cup currants, the grated zest of 1 orange, and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice.
  5. Once the dough has risen, knock it back with your fists, knead for 2–3 minutes, and roll it out into a 12in (30cm) square. Dot the dough with the butter mixture, fold it in half, then roll it out again into another 12in (30cm) square. Sprinkle the fruit mixture evenly over the dough and roll it up tightly into a log.
  6. Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces and arrange them cut-side up in a lightly oiled 7 × 11in (18 × 28cm) roasting pan. Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes until the pieces are touching.
  7. Bake for 20–25 minutes, loosely covering with foil after about 15 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Once baked, transfer the buns to a wire rack. Warm ¼ cup honey in a small pan and brush it over the buns to glaze. Serve the buns warm, pulling them apart gently to reveal the spiral of spiced fruit filling inside.

Notes

Mary Berry Chelsea buns Substitutions and Variations

While Mary Berry’s classic recipe delivers wonderful results, you can easily customize it to suit your preferences and pantry. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, I’d substitute it with ground cinnamon or mixed spice for similar warmth.
You can swap the dried fruit combination—try dried cranberries, chopped apricots, or dried cherries instead of raisins and currants. I’ve found that lemon zest works beautifully when you’re out of orange. For the filling, brown butter adds richness, and demerara sugar provides extra crunch.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey glaze or skip it entirely. These adjustments let you personalize Mary Berry’s beloved recipe while maintaining its essential character and delicious results.