Hot Cross Buns Recipe – Learn How to Make Delicious Hot Cross Buns at Home. Are you a fan of hot cross buns? These tasty, spiced buns are a traditional Easter treat, but they’re delicious any time of the year. Making hot cross buns at home may seem daunting, but with this easy recipe, you can enjoy warm, fresh hot cross buns straight from your own oven.
Ingredients
To make hot cross buns, you'll need the following ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup candied citrus peel
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and spices.
- Add the melted butter and warm milk, and stir until a sticky dough forms.
- Add the egg, raisins, and citrus peel, and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel, and let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces, and shape each piece into a ball.
- Place the balls on a lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them to allow for expansion.
- Use a sharp knife to make a cross on the top of each bun.
- Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes, or until they're golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- While the buns are baking, make the glaze by combining 1/4 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk.
- Once the buns are done, brush the glaze over the top of each bun while they're still warm.
Notes
- If you don't have candied citrus peel, you can substitute it with chopped dried fruit or leave it out altogether.
- For a more traditional hot cross bun flavor, try adding a bit of grated orange zest to the dough.
- Make sure your yeast is fresh and hasn't expired, or your buns may not rise properly.
- If you don't have a warm, draft-free place to let your dough rise, you can heat your oven to its lowest temperature, turn it off, and let the dough rise in there.
Conclusion
Making hot cross buns at home is easier than you might think, and the results are well worth it. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of patience, you can create delicious, warm buns that are perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether you enjoy them as a traditional Easter treat or as a tasty snack any time of the year, these hot cross buns are sure to become a favorite in your household. So go ahead, give this recipe a try and see just how easy it is to make your own hot cross buns from scratch.
