Description
These traditional Hot Cross Buns are soft, lightly spiced, and studded with sweet dried fruit. Topped with the signature cross and a shiny glaze, they’re perfect for Easter or any cozy occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups bread flour
- 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1½ cups warm milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup raisins or sultanas
- Zest of 1 orange
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (for the cross)
- ¼ cup water (for the cross)
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine bread flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and yeast.
- In another bowl, whisk together warm milk, melted butter, egg, and orange zest.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix until a dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes. Add raisins and knead until just combined.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
- Punch down, divide into 12 balls, and arrange on the tray. Let rise again for 30–40 minutes.
- Mix flour and water to make a paste. Pipe a cross onto each bun.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
- Brush warm buns with apricot jam for shine.
- Serve warm or toasted with butter.
Notes
- For extra softness, use bread flour instead of all-purpose.
- Customize with different dried fruits or chocolate chips.
- Proof dough in a warm oven with the light on for consistent rising.
- Buns can be frozen and reheated later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: hot cross buns, Easter bread, sweet buns, traditional baking, spiced fruit buns