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Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns

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  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 15 servings
  • Category: Bread, Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: English

Description

These Hot Cross Buns are sweet, lightly spiced, and irresistibly fluffy! Perfect for Good Friday or any time of the year, theyโ€™re the ultimate treat for anyone craving soft, flavorful bread. With a fragrant mix of spices and currants, topped with a shiny apricot glaze, these buns are a crowd-pleaser.


Ingredients

For the buns:

  • 300 ml (about 1 1/4 cups + 1 tablespoon) whole milk

  • 80 grams (about 1/2 cup) sugar

  • 7 grams (about 1 1/2 teaspoons) active dry yeast

  • 500 grams (about 3 3/4 cups) bread flour or all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1 tablespoon orange zest

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 2 large eggs

  • 70 grams (about 5 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened

  • 140 grams (about 1 cup) dried currants or raisins

For the crosses:

  • 75 grams (about 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon) flour

  • 5 to 6 tablespoons water

For the glaze:

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  • 3 tablespoons apricot jam

  • 1 tablespoon water


Instructions

  • In a saucepan, heat the milk with 20 grams of sugar until the sugar dissolves and the milk begins to steam. Remove from heat and let it cool to lukewarm (100ยบF โ€“ 110ยบF).

  • Stir in the yeast and cover with a towel. Let it bloom for 10 minutes until foamy.

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the flour, remaining sugar, salt, spices, and orange zest.

  • With the mixer running on low, add the milk and yeast mixture, vanilla extract, and eggs. Knead until a dough forms, then add butter one tablespoon at a time.

  • Once butter is incorporated, knead on medium-high for 3 minutes. Cover with a towel and let rest for 15 minutes.

  • Sprinkle currants over the dough and knead again for 3 minutes.

  • Transfer dough to a proofing container or bowl, cover, and let rise for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

  • Punch the dough down and divide it into 15 equal parts. Form each into a smooth ball and place on a lined baking sheet, leaving space between them. Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

  • Preheat oven to 375ยบF.

  • For the cross, mix 75 grams of flour with water until it forms a thick but runny paste. Pipe crosses onto the buns.

  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.

  • While the buns bake, heat the apricot jam with water in the microwave for 15 seconds. Strain and brush over the warm buns.

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  • Let the buns sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the glaze to set, then serve!


Notes

  • For a sweeter glaze, you can add a little sugar to the apricot jam before heating.

  • These buns are perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

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  • If you prefer, you can use sultanas instead of currants for a different flavor.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bun
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 120mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg