Description
Bake the ultimate Easter treat with this easy hot cross buns recipe! Learn how to make soft, spiced, and aromatic homemade hot cross buns perfect for sharing with family and friends. This is the best hot cross buns recipe you’ll find!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 package (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup raisins or currants
- 1/2 cup mixed peel (optional)
For the Crosses:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup water
For the Glaze:
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Add the yeast and mix well. Warm the milk, melt the butter, and add them to the dry ingredients along with the eggs. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Incorporate the raisins and mixed peel.
- Knead and Proof: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape and Second Proof: Punch down the dough. Divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each bun. Cover and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes, or until almost doubled in size. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add the Crosses and Bake: Prepare the paste for the crosses by mixing flour and water until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe crosses onto the top of each bun. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Prepare the glaze by heating the apricot jam and water in a small saucepan over low heat. Brush the buns immediately with the apricot glaze.
Notes
- Use Fresh Yeast: Ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise.
- Warm Milk: The milk should be warm, not hot, to activate the yeast.
- Don’t Over-knead: Over-kneading can result in tough buns.
- Proper Proofing: Give the dough enough time to rise in a warm place.
- Even Baking: Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even browning.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 250 Kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: hot cross buns, easter recipe, homemade buns, spiced buns, baking, easter baking, bread recipe, easy hot cross buns, best hot cross buns recipe