Hot Cross Buns are such a big part of our Easter Tradition. These spiced buns are made annually for Easter and enjoyed on Good Friday. An Easter without Hot Cross Buns doesn't feel like Easter at all.
Course Bread, Breads, Breakfast, Holiday
Cuisine Guyanese
Keyword guyanese hot cross buns, guyanese hot cross buns recipe, hot cross buns, hot cross buns recipe, hot cross buns recipe easy, how to make hot cross buns, soft hot cross buns recipe, what are hot cross buns
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Resting Time 1 hourhour45 minutesminutes
Servings 12Buns
Calories 264kcal
Equipment
Stand Mixer
Small Mixing Bowl
Small Saucepan
Baking Sheet
Ingredients
1Packet Active Dry Yeast1 tablespoon
¼cupplus 1 tablespoon brown sugar
¼cupwarm waterabout 110 °F
¼cupmixed fruits or currants or raisins
1cupwarm milk
2eggs
¼cupmelted butter
4cupsflour
1/2teaspoonsalt
½teaspooncinnamon
½teaspoonnutmeg
1egg white
Simple Syrup
½cupwater
¼cupgranulated sugar
1teaspoonvanilla extract
Instructions
In a small mixing bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, in the warm water then add the yeast and mix in. Then set aside until the yeast blooms and has a 2 inch thick frothy top (about 5 minutes)
Add ¼ cup of brown sugar to the warm milk and mix together until it dissolves. Then add to the bowl the stand mixer
Next add the melted butter, eggs, fruits and yeast to the milk and sugar. Mix for a few seconds to combine. You can do this with the whisk attachment or a spoon
Next sieve the flour, nutmeg, salt, and cinnamon together in a large mixing bowl
Then increase the mixer speed to medium (number 2 speed) and add the flour mixture to the liquids about ½ cup at a time until all the flour is combined to form a soft dough
Remove dough from the mixer and knead, on a floured surface, into a tight ball. Then place the dough ball into a greased bowl and let rise until the dough doubles in size (this should take about 1 hour)
When the dough has doubled in size, punch down, then knead into a smooth ball, then divide into 13 equal pieces to make 12 buns (reserving one of the pieces for the dough crosses)
Knead each of the 12 pieces into a small ball/bun/roll. Then roll out the reserved dough into thin strips. Use strips to form crosses on top of the buns (see instructions and images above)
Next place the rolls on a greased baking pan and proof again for 30 to 45 minutes before baking
Preheat oven to 350°F
When ready to bake brush rolls with egg white and bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes
While the buns are baking make the simple syrup (recipe below)
Once the buns have baked for 20-30 minutes and are golden brown, remove from the oven and brush immediately with the simple syrup. Then let cool for about 10 minutes and serve warm preferably with a slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese
Simple Syrup
Combine sugar, water and vanilla extract in a small saucepan on high heat
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves
Boil for 3 to 5 minutes then remove from heat until syrup thickens a little then remove from the heat and set aside