Description
Bake the best homemade hot cross buns with this easy recipe! Soft, spiced, and perfect for Easter. Learn how to make traditional hot cross buns with a glossy glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups strong bread flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup currants
- 1/4 cup mixed peel
- Cross Paste: 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup water
- Glaze: 2 tablespoons apricot jam, 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and spices.
- Warm milk and butter until melted, then add yeast and honey. Let sit until frothy.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients, add eggs and citrus zest, and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Gently fold in the dried fruit.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each bun.
- Cover and let rise for another 30-40 minutes.
- Brush buns with an egg wash.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Prepare cross paste by mixing flour and water until smooth.
- Let buns cool slightly. Pipe crosses onto each bun.
- Heat apricot jam with water until smooth, then brush over warm buns for a glossy finish.
Notes
- Use fresh yeast for the best rise.
- Provide a warm, draft-free environment for proving the dough.
- Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even browning.
- Let the buns cool slightly before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting completely.
- Experiment with different dried fruits like cranberries or chopped dates.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 250 Kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: hot cross buns, easter bread, homemade buns, spiced buns, easter recipe, baking, bread recipe, traditional hot cross buns