Description
Hot Cross Buns are a delicious, spiced, sweet bread traditionally eaten on Good Friday and during Easter. They are known for their signature cross on top and are soft, fluffy, and filled with dried fruits, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
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Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 cup butter (softened)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups dried currants or raisins (or a mix of both)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup candied ginger (optional, finely chopped)
For the Cross:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup water
For the Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Warm the milk: In a small saucepan, warm the milk over low heat until lukewarm (about 110°F or 43°C). Add the sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Activate the yeast: Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk mixture. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Add wet ingredients: Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the yeast mixture, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and candied ginger (if using).
- Mix the dough: Stir everything together until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can do this by hand or using a stand mixer with a dough hook.
- Add the dried fruits: Once the dough is smooth, gently fold in the currants or raisins (and any other dried fruits you’re using).
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
Step 2: Shape the Buns
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Divide the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Shape the buns: Roll each piece into a smooth ball and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure they are close together but not touching. This helps them rise upwards rather than outwards.
- Second rise: Cover the buns with a clean towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes, until puffed up.
Step 3: Make the Cross
- Prepare the cross paste: In a small bowl, combine the flour and water to form a thick paste. Transfer the paste to a pastry bag or a ziplock bag with the tip cut off.
- Pipe the cross: Once the buns have risen, pipe a cross over each bun using the paste.
Step 4: Bake the Buns
- Bake: Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- Prepare the glaze: While the buns are baking, heat the milk and sugar in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Glaze the buns: Once the buns are out of the oven, immediately brush them with the glaze to give them a shiny finish.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Cool: Let the buns cool on a wire rack before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve warm or at room temperature with butter, jam, or your favorite spread!
Notes
- Let the dough rise properly: Be sure to let the dough rise long enough for a light, fluffy texture. The first rise should double the size of the dough, and the second rise should make the buns puff up nicely.
- Customize the filling: You can add chopped nuts, other dried fruits like sultanas or apricots, or even chocolate chips for a fun variation.
- Make ahead: You can make the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge overnight, then shape and bake the buns the next day.
- Prep Time: 2 hours (including rising time)
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cuisine: British