Description
Celebrate Easter with these classic, spiced Traditional Hot Cross Buns! This recipe guides you through making soft, flavorful buns from scratch, complete with a signature cross and a sweet glaze. Perfect for sharing the warmth and joy of the season.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup dried currants or raisins
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- For the cross: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup water
- For the glaze: 2 tablespoons apricot jam, 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and dried currants or raisins.
- In a separate saucepan, heat milk and butter until the butter is melted. Let it cool slightly until lukewarm. Add the yeast and let it proof for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the yeast mixture and eggs to the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball.
- Place the buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- While the buns are proofing, prepare the cross paste by mixing flour and water until smooth. Place the mixture in a piping bag or a Ziploc bag with a small corner cut off. Pipe crosses onto each bun.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by heating apricot jam and water in a small saucepan until melted and smooth.
- Brush the glaze over the warm buns immediately after removing them from the oven.
Notes
- Experiment with citrus zest for a brighter flavor.
- Substitute dried currants with cranberries or chopped apricots.
- Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a richer flavor.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based milk and butter alternatives.
- Ensure your yeast is fresh for the best rise.
- Allow enough time for proofing.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 220 Kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: hot cross buns, traditional hot cross buns, easter buns, spiced buns, homemade buns, easter recipe, British baking, spiced bread