Hot Cross Bun Cinnamon Rolls
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Hot Cross Bun Cinnamon Rolls
Description
Hot Cross Bun Cinnamon Rolls begin with a yeast-leavened dough combining both all-purpose and bread flours, along with milk, eggs, and butter to build a rich, sticky base. The yeast is activated in warm milk and sugar, then blended with the flours, eggs, and salt before extended kneading to develop structure and incorporate softened butter thoroughly. The filling features light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a mixed dried fruit blend that can be soaked in fresh orange juice or used directly for varied texture and flavor.
The dough is rolled with the cinnamon-sugar-fruit filling, then baked into individual rolls. A simple frosting of powdered sugar and orange juice adds a sweet and tangy finish. The combination of seasonal spices, the chewiness of fruit, and the moist, airy crumb make these rolls suitable for breakfast or teatime treats.
Egg wash using reserved yolk mixed with milk adds shine and enhances the crust color before baking. Soaking the fruit in orange juice overnight softens it and imparts a subtle citrus note, but can be skipped for a firmer texture. Dough may remain sticky after kneading due to its hydration and butter content, which is normal for enriched doughs of this type.
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Dough
- ¼ cup milk or whole milk, warmed to 104°F (40C, full fat
- 2¼ teaspoon dry active yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour or plain flour
- ¾ cup bread flour or strong flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 egg ideally at room temperature, one egg separated into yolk and white, large
- ½ cup butter softened at room temperature and cut into small chunks, plus extra for greasing the bowl, unsalted
Ingredients for the Filling
- ½ cup light brown sugar firmly packed
- 6 tablespoon butter softened at room temperature, unsalted
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3 oz dried fruit mix raisins, sultanas, chopped dried apricot, etc, mixed
- ½ cup orange juice fresh orange juice, not from concentrate
Ingredients for the Frosting
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar sifted if particularly lumpy
- 1½ teaspoon orange juice fresh orange juice, not from concentrate
Instructions
Instructions for Dough
- Begin by sprinkling the yeast and a teaspoon of the sugar into your warmed milk. Stir and set aside for about 10 minutes until the yeast has developed a foam on top.
- Meanwhile in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, bread flour, remaining sugar and salt. Give this a quick stir.
- Once the yeast is frothy, add this to the flour mixture, immediately followed by two full eggs and one egg white. Reserve the remaining egg yolk to make an egg wash later. (see note)
- Turn the mixer to a low setting and knead for 15 minutes, stopping once or twice early on to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all of the flour is incorporated. After 15 minutes your dough should have come together and be pulling itself from the sides of the bowl (though it will still be sticky).
- With the mixer still on a low setting, slowly begin adding the butter a couple of bits at a time. Once all of the butter is incorporated, continue kneading for 15 minutes until the dough has come together again and is pulling itself away from the sides of the bowl. (see note)
- Scrape the dough into a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator to proof slowly for about 8 hours (or overnight).
Instructions for Filling
- To prepare your filling, start by infusing the dried fruit in the orange juice. Place the fruit and juice in a small saucepan over a medium heat. Bring this to a boil, stirring occasionally to make sure none of the fruit is sticking to the base of the pan. Once boiled, remove from the heat and leave the fruit to sit in the warm juice for about half an hour before before draining and setting aside to cool. (see note)
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, sugar and ground cinnamon until you have a smooth spreadable butter mixture.
Instructions for Rolling and Second Proof
- Line an 8" square baking pan with parchment paper.
- After the dough's overnight proof, turn this out onto a floured work surface and press into a rectangle. Use a rolling pin to roll out into a large rectangle, about 12" wide by 15" long.
- Spread the butter mixture over the surface of the dough, leaving a gap around the edges. Then sprinkle with your soaked (and drained) fruits.
- Roll the dough from the bottom to the top, forming a tight log.
- Use flavorless dental floss or thin kitchen twine to trim the uneven and unfilled ends (about an inch or two off each end). Then divide the dough into 9. Use the floss to cut your nine rolls.
- Place these in your lined square baking pan and cover with a clean kitchen towel to proof at room temperature for about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
Instructions for Baking and Frosting
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175C/155C Fan).
- Make a quick egg wash using the reserved egg yolk and a splash of milk. Brush this over the top of your rolls once they're done the second proof.
- Place the rolls in the centre of the preheated oven for about 25 minutes until risen and golden.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes while you mix together the powdered sugar and orange juice for the frosting.
- Use a piping bag with a round nozzle (or a ziploc bag with the corner cut) to pipe the frosting in a cross pattern over the rolls. This is a simple pattern - just a line through the centre of each roll, crossed with another as shown in the images.
- Serve fresh and still warm.
Notes
- Reserve egg yolk separately in the fridge for the egg wash before baking, mixing it with a splash of milk for a shiny crust.
- Sticky dough after kneading is normal for this recipe; don’t add extra flour unless absolutely necessary.
- Soaking dried fruit overnight in orange juice softens the fruit and enhances flavor; otherwise, use the fruit dry and omit orange juice, resulting in a chewier texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9rolls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 374 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 374kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 103mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 290mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 183mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 24g | 48% |
| Vitamin A | 672IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 62mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.