Description
Traditional Hot Cross Buns are warm, spiced, and studded with juicy dried fruit, finished with a shiny apricot glaze. With a soft, pillowy crumb and bright citrus notes, these classic Easter buns are perfect for brunch or holiday baking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (currants, raisins, or sultanas)
- 1/4 cup orange zest (finely grated)
- 1/4 cup water (for cross paste)
- 1/4 cup apricot jam (for glaze)
- Flour (for dusting)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Heat milk and butter until butter melts and milk is warm (not hot). Cool slightly.
- Beat eggs lightly and whisk into the milk-butter mixture. Pour into dry ingredients and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes (or 6–8 minutes in a mixer) until smooth and elastic.
- Gently knead in dried fruit and orange zest until evenly distributed.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for about 1 hour until doubled.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Divide dough into 12 equal pieces and shape into balls.
- Arrange on lined baking tray, cover lightly, and let rise 25–30 minutes until puffy.
- Mix flour with water to form a pipeable paste. Pipe crosses over each bun.
- Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
- Warm apricot jam with 1–2 tablespoons water, strain if needed, and brush over hot buns for shine.
- Cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- These buns can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Feel free to customize with your choice of dried fruits.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Hot Cross Buns, Traditional Buns, Easter Recipe