Hot Cross Buns
User Reviews
5
Hot Cross Buns
Description
The dough begins with warm milk, sugar, salt, butter, and yeast activation before mixing in eggs and warm spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Flour is added to create a smooth, elastic dough that is kneaded well before incorporating dried fruit and orange zest. After rising, the dough is portioned into buns that receive a flour and water paste piped in a cross shape before baking.
The finished buns have a lightly spiced, soft texture with fruit sweetness balanced by the citrus zest and warm spices. They can be served plain or with butter, often during holiday seasons or Easter celebrations.
For added gloss and slight stickiness, an optional sugar glaze of boiled water and sugar can be brushed over the hot buns after baking. They can be made by hand or stand mixer, allowing flexibility for bakers.
The recipe notes suggest kneading by hand if no mixer is available and highlight that the flour cross paste should be thick enough to hold shape when piped. Raisins or currants can be varied per preference.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar + 1 teaspoon sugar, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup butter room temperature, unsalted
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
- 3 large egg divided use, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cloves ground
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4-5 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup raisins or currants
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
Flour Cross
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat milk over medium heat just until bubbles begin to form at the edges (the temperature should reach about 181°F.) Do not boil.
- Pour the milk into a bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl) and add ½ cup sugar and salt. Whisk to combine. Add butter and stir until the butter is melted. Let the mixture cool to 110°F (or lukewarm).
- Meanwhile, combine yeast, ½ cup warm water (110°F), and 1 teaspoon sugar in a bowl. Let sit 10 minutes or until foamy.
- Add the yeast to the milk mixture. Whisk in 2 whole eggs (reserve the third egg for brushing the rolls before baking), cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Add 2 cups of flour and mix with a dough hook (see notes to mix by hand). Continue adding more flour until it forms a dough that holds together and isn't too sticky (you will use about 4-5 cups of flour total). Turn the mixer to medium-low and let it knead for 4-5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Add raisins or currants and orange zest if using and knead again to incorporate.
- Place the dough into a large oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Set in a warm place and let rise until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
- Punch the dough down and form into 12 even-sized rolls. Place the rolls in a greased 9x13 pan and let rise 20-25 minutes.
- While the dough is rising, combine the flour and water for the cross. It should be thick enough to hold its shape. Brush rolls with egg wash and place the flour mixture in a piping bag and pipe a cross on each roll.
- While the rolls are rising, preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Bake for 24-26 minutes or until cooked through.
Notes
- If you don't have a stand mixer, mix flour with a spoon and then knead the dough by hand on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
- The flour cross paste should be thick enough to pipe and hold its shape on the buns.
- Optionally, boil water and sugar to make a glaze to brush warm buns, adding shine and sweetness but resulting in a slightly sticky surface.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12buns
Amount Per Serving
Calories 273 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 273 | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 17% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 215mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 179mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 189IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 37mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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