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Close-up of a torn spiced bun showing fluffy interior with raisins and a soft crumb

Hot Cross Buns

Soft spiced buns with sultanas, a simple baked cross, and a shiny apricot glaze. Perfect warm with butter.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
chill time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 12 Buns
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • ▢4 1/4 cups bread flour 640 g
  • ▢3 teaspoons instant or rapid rise yeast 9 g
  • ▢1/2 cup caster sugar 110 g
  • ▢1/2 tsp salt
  • ▢2 tsp cinnamon powder
  • ▢2 tsp all spice OR mixed spice
  • ▢1 1/2 cups milk warm (375 ml)
  • ▢1 egg at room temperature
  • ▢50 g unsalted butter melted and cooled (3 1/2 tbsp)
  • ▢Zest of 1–2 oranges
  • ▢1 1/2 cups sultanas 210 g
Crosses
  • ▢1/2 cup flour 75 g
  • ▢5 tbsp water
Glaze
  • ▢1 tbsp apricot jam
  • ▢2 tsp water

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Plastic wrap
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Kitchen scale (optional)
  • 9x13-inch baking pan (or similar)
  • Parchment paper
  • Piping bag or zip-top bag (for crosses)
  • Small saucepan (for glaze)
  • Pastry brush

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together bread flour, yeast, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and mixed spice.
  2. Add warm milk, egg, melted butter, and orange zest. Mix to form a dough, then stir in the sultanas.
  3. Knead until smooth and elastic. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled.
  4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape into smooth balls.
  5. Arrange dough balls in a parchment-lined baking pan. Cover and proof until puffy.
  6. Mix cross flour with water into a thick paste. Pipe lines across the buns, then pipe lines the other way to form crosses.
  7. Bake until golden brown and cooked through.
  8. Warm apricot jam with water and brush over hot buns. Cool slightly, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 220mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Video

Notes

  • If the cross paste spreads too much, add a little extra flour; if it won’t pipe, add a few drops of water.
  • Swap sultanas with raisins, golden raisins, or dried cranberries.
  • Pumpkin pie spice works well if you don’t have mixed spice.

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