Hot Cross Buns Recipe
These homemade hot cross buns are soft, spiced, and lightly sweet with brown sugar and dried fruit. Baked with a traditional cross and brushed with simple syrup, they’re a classic Easter treat.
Servings 12 Buns
Calories 246kcal
Equipment
- Stand Mixer
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Small Saucepan
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- ¼ cup warm water (about 110 °F)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (plus 1 tablespoon )
- 1 tablespoon Active Dry Yeast
- 1 cup warm milk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup mixed fruits or currants or raisins
- 4 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 egg white
Simple Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, in 1/4 cup of warm water then add the yeast and mix in. Set aside until the yeast blooms and has a 2 inch thick frothy top (about 5 minutes).
- Add the warm milk and ¼ cup of brown sugar to the warm milk to the bowl of the stand mixer. Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves.
- 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 wooden spoon.
- Sift the flour, nutmeg, salt, and cinnamon together in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Add a dough hook to the mixer. Set the 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 the 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 it doubles in size (this should take about 1 hour).
- Once the dough doubles in size, punch down, then knead into a smooth ball. Divide the dough into 13 pieces. Use 12 pieces to form the buns and reserve 1 piece to create 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 buns on a greased baking pan and proof again for 30 to 45 minutes before baking. When ready to bake, Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Brush the buns with egg white (optional to give it a silky top) Bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes. While the buns are baking make the simple syrup (recipe below).
- Remove the buns from the oven once the bake time is up and they are golden brown. Immediately brush them with the simple syrup. Let the cross buns cool for about 10 minutes and serve warm preferably with a slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese.
Simple Syrup
- Combine the 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 or until syrup thickens a little then remove from the heat and set aside
Nutrition
Serving: 1Bun | Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 153mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 191IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg