Hot Cross Buns

By Youcipe

7 months, 3 weeks ago

Description

Soft, fluffy, and fragrant with warm spices, these Homemade Hot Cross Buns are a delightful Easter tradition or anytime treat! Packed with juicy sultanas and zesty orange, these buns are topped with classic flour crosses and a glossy apricot glaze. Perfect for sharing at breakfast, brunch, or afternoon tea! 😋☕

Ingredients

For the Buns:

✅ 3 teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast (9g, check it’s active) 🧁

✅ ½ cup (110g) caster sugar (superfine sugar) 🍬

✅ 1½ cups (375ml) milk, warm (full fat or low-fat) 🥛

✅ 4¼ cups (640g) bread flour (or plain/all-purpose) 🌾

✅ 2 tsp cinnamon powder 🌰

✅ 2 tsp All Spice or Mixed Spice 🌿

✅ ½ tsp salt 🧂

✅ 1½ cups (210g) sultanas 🍇

✅ Zest of 1–2 oranges 🍊

✅ 50g (3.5 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted and cooled 🧈

✅ 1 egg, at room temperature 🥚

✅ ¼ cup (35g) extra bread flour (for dusting) 🌾



For the Crosses:

✅ ½ cup (75g) flour (any white flour) 🌾

✅ 5 tbsp water 💧



For the Glaze:

✅ 1 tbsp apricot jam 🥫

✅ 2 tsp water 💧

Equipment

✅ Stand mixer with dough hook (or hands for kneading)

✅ 31.5 x 23.5 cm (9 x 13") baking tray

✅ Baking/parchment paper

✅ Cling wrap

✅ Piping bag or small ziplock bag

✅ Cooling rack

Quick Steps

1️⃣ Mix the Dough:
In a large bowl, combine 4¼ cups flour, 3 tsp yeast, ½ cup caster sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tsp All Spice, and ½ tsp salt. Mix briefly with a stand mixer (dough hook). Add 50g melted butter, 1½ cups warm milk, 1 egg, 1½ cups sultanas, and orange zest. Mix on speed 2, then increase to speed 4 for 5 minutes until a smooth, elastic dough forms (or knead by hand for 10 minutes). Add extra flour (up to ¼ cup) if dough is too sticky.

2️⃣ First Rise:
Cover dough with cling wrap and let rise in a warm, wind-free place until doubled in size, 30 minutes to 1½ hours.

3️⃣ Form Buns:
Line a 9 x 13" tray with baking paper. Punch down dough to deflate, shape into a log, and cut into 12 equal pieces. Form each piece into a smooth ball by pressing and rolling. Place balls smooth-side-up in a 3x4 grid on the tray.

4️⃣ Second Rise:
Lightly spray cling wrap with oil, cover tray loosely, and let buns rise in a warm place for 30–45 minutes until risen by ~75%. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F (all oven types) partway through.

5️⃣ Add Crosses:
Mix ½ cup flour with 5 tbsp water to form a thick, runny paste. Spoon into a piping bag or ziplock bag (snip corner). Remove cling wrap and pipe crosses onto buns.

6️⃣ Bake:
Bake for 22 minutes until deep golden brown.

7️⃣ Glaze and Serve:
Mix 1 tbsp apricot jam with 2 tsp water, microwave for 30 seconds, and stir. Remove buns from oven, lift onto a cooling rack using paper overhang, and brush with glaze while warm. Cool slightly before serving. 😍

Tips

👉 Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven. Freeze for up to 3 months.

👉 Serving: Serve warm with butter or enjoy as-is with tea or coffee.

👉 Substitutions: Swap sultanas for raisins, currants, or dried cranberries. Use lemon zest instead of orange for a different citrus note.

👉 Dough Tip: Ensure yeast is active (bubbly when mixed with warm milk) for a good rise.