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Hot Cross Buns Recipe Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Recipe

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

I whip up these hot cross buns with warm spices, raisins, and a sweet apricot glaze. Perfect for Easter or any time you crave a comforting, homemade treat.

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Hot Cross Buns are a delightful treat, especially around Easter. These spiced, sweet buns with a cross on top are a nostalgic favorite. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice gives them a warm, comforting flavor, while the apricot jam glaze adds a touch of sweetness. Perfect for breakfast or a snack, these buns are sure to become a family tradition. Let's get baking!

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 2 tbsp warmed apricot jam

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, yeast, and sugar. Add warm milk and melted butter. Stir until smooth.
  2. Add the beaten egg, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Mix well.
  3. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  5. Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix the flour and water for the cross. Pipe a cross on each bun.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with warmed apricot jam while still warm.

What You Will Need to Make These Buns

What you will need to make hot cross buns

  • All-purpose flour: Provides structure and texture, forming the base of the dough for these buns.
  • Active dry yeast: Helps the dough rise, giving the buns their light, fluffy texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps activate the yeast for proper rising.
  • Warm milk: Moistens the dough and adds richness, aiding in a tender crumb.
  • Melted butter: Adds flavor and richness, making the buns soft and delicious.
  • Beaten egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the dough.
  • Raisins: Provide bursts of sweetness and a chewy texture, enhancing the flavor.
  • Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice: Infuse the buns with warm, aromatic spices, making them flavorful.
  • All-purpose flour and cold water: Used to create the cross on top, giving the buns their signature look.
  • Warmed apricot jam: Adds a glossy finish and a hint of fruity sweetness to the buns.

Tools and Instruments Required

What tools/instruments will be needed to make Hot Cross Buns Recipe

  • Mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and kneading dough. A large one allows for easy mixing and rising.
  • Measuring cups: Accurate measurements ensure the right balance of ingredients, crucial for dough consistency.
  • Measuring spoons: Needed for precise amounts of spices and yeast, which affect flavor and dough rise.
  • Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring dough and mixing ingredients without damaging the bowl.
  • Baking sheet: Provides a flat surface for buns to bake evenly, ensuring a golden-brown crust.
  • Piping bag: Used to pipe the cross on each bun, giving them their signature look.
  • Pastry brush: Perfect for brushing apricot jam on warm buns, adding a glossy finish.

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Traditional spiced buns with a cross on top, perfect for Easter.
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Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Rising Time 2 mins
Total Time 2 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine British
Servings 12 buns
Calories 250 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Baking Sheet
  • Oven
  • Piping bag

Ingredients:  

Dough

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet active dry yeast 2 1/4 teaspoons
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup milk warm
  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Cross

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup water cold

Glaze

  • 2 tbsp apricot jam warmed

Instructions: 

  • 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, yeast, and sugar. Add warm milk and melted butter. Stir until smooth.
  • 2. Add the beaten egg, raisins, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Mix well.
  • 3. Gradually add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes.
  • 4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  • 5. Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for another 30 minutes.
  • 6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Mix the flour and water for the cross. Pipe a cross on each bun.
  • 7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with warmed apricot jam while still warm.

Notes:

Best enjoyed fresh out of the oven!

Nutrition value:

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 6gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 100IUCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Keywords:

Keyword Buns, Easter
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions

Make Ahead Instructions

  1. Prepare dough as directed.
  2. After shaping into balls, place on a baking sheet.
  3. Cover with plastic wrap.
  4. Refrigerate overnight.
  5. Next day, let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  6. Bake as directed.

Freezing Instructions

  1. Bake buns completely.
  2. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Wrap each bun in plastic wrap.
  4. Place wrapped buns in a freezer bag.
  5. Freeze up to 3 months.
  6. Thaw at room temperature.
  7. Warm in oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.

Hot cross buns were originally marked with a cross to ward off evil spirits and ensure the bread wouldn't spoil.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Cross Buns

FAQ:
How long do the buns stay fresh?
They stay fresh for about 2-3 days if stored in an airtight container.
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, but the texture will be denser. You might need to adjust the liquid.
Can I freeze the buns?
Absolutely. Freeze them after baking and cooling. Thaw and warm before serving.
What can I use instead of raisins?
You can substitute with dried cranberries, currants, or chocolate chips.
How do I make the cross on top?
Mix flour and water into a paste, then pipe it onto the buns before baking.

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