Description
Warm, fragrant, and lightly spiced, these hot cross buns fill the kitchen with the scent of orange and cinnamon. They are soft, tender, and perfect for busy mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 7 g (1 packet / 2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
- 75 g (1/3 cup) granulated sugar
- 9 g (1 1/2 tsp) salt
- 60 g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 240 ml (1 cup) whole milk, warmed
- 2 large eggs (about 100 g)
- 150 g (1 cup) mixed fruit (currants or raisins), soaked and drained
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 2 tsp ground mixed spice (or cinnamon + nutmeg)
- 60 g (1/2 cup) plain flour for cross + water to make a pipeable paste
- 60 g (1/4 cup) apricot jam + 1 tbsp water for glaze
Instructions
- Warm the milk and bloom the yeast: Warm 240 ml (1 cup) whole milk to 37–43°C (100–110°F) and add 7 g (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast and 1 tbsp of the sugar. Wait 5 minutes until foamy.
- Mix the dough: Add 500 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour, 75 g (1/3 cup) sugar, 9 g (1 1/2 tsp) salt, 2 tsp ground mixed spice, 1 tbsp orange zest, 2 beaten eggs, and 60 g (4 tbsp) softened butter to the milk. Mix on low speed for 4–6 minutes until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the fruit: Add 150 g (1 cup) drained currants or raisins by hand. Let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 60–75 minutes.
- Turn the dough out and shape into 12 pieces. Place on a lined tray, cover, and proof for 30–40 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Make cross paste with 60 g (1/2 cup) plain flour and enough water to make a pipeable paste. Pipe crosses on each bun.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown and an internal temperature of 88°C (190°F) is reached.
- Brush warm glaze over the buns immediately after baking. Cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
Use weighing for accurate dough pieces. For make-ahead options, refrigerate the shaped dough overnight and let sit at room temperature before baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Baked Goods
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg