Description
Hot Cross Buns: A Heavenly Easter Treat with Spiced Sweetness. These traditional Easter buns feature soft, spiced dough studded with plump raisins and marked with a symbolic cross. Perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea, these fragrant buns will fill your home with warmth and nostalgia.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (500g) bread flour
- 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp mixed spice (or pumpkin pie spice)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup (240ml) warm milk
- 1/3 cup (80g) butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (150g) raisins or currants
- 1/2 cup (75g) candied citrus peel (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and spices. Make a well in the center and add warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add raisins and citrus peel during the last 2 minutes of kneading.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled in size.
- Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal portions. Roll each into smooth balls and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart. Cover lightly and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
- Mix 1/2 cup flour with 5-6 tbsp water to make a thick paste. Pipe crosses onto buns. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes until golden brown. While warm, brush with a sugar glaze made from 2 tbsp apricot jam or 1/4 cup sugar dissolved in 3 tbsp hot water.
Notes
- For extra flavor, soak raisins in warm tea or rum for 30 minutes before adding to dough
- Create a steam environment in your oven by placing a pan of water on the bottom rack
- Test yeast freshness by dissolving it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar – it should foam within 10 minutes
- For shiny buns, brush with egg wash before baking
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 250 Kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Hot Cross Buns, Easter buns, spiced buns, traditional Easter recipe, homemade hot cross buns, yeast bread recipe