Description
Elevate your Easter celebration with Creamy Hot Cross Buns! This recipe takes classic hot cross buns to the next level with a luscious creamy glaze. Soft, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious, these homemade buns are perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mixed dried fruits (raisins, currants, and candied peel)
- For the cross: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- For the cross: 1/4 cup water
- For the creamy glaze: 4 oz cream cheese
- For the creamy glaze: 1/4 cup heavy cream
- For the creamy glaze: 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- For the creamy glaze: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Dissolve yeast in warm milk, then add melted butter and eggs. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Knead in mixed dried fruits. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Proofing the Dough: Place the dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Baking the Buns: Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a bun and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix the flour and water for the cross and pipe it onto the buns. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Adding the Creamy Glaze: While the buns are cooling, prepare the creamy glaze. In a bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract, mixing until glaze is creamy and spreadable. Once the buns have cooled slightly, generously spread the creamy glaze over each one.
Notes
- Use fresh yeast for the best rise.
- Don’t overheat the milk; it should be warm to the touch, not scalding.
- Kneading the dough properly is key to a soft and chewy texture.
- Ensure the buns are fully cooled before applying the creamy glaze to prevent it from melting.
- Add chocolate chips, orange/lemon zest, or different dried fruits for variations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 320 Kcal
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
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