Hot Cross Bun Recipe

What are Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are sweet buns stuffed with dried fruits and topped by a cross created from icing or dough scoring. Hot cross buns are traditionally served as an Easter, and Good Friday treat in the United Kingdom. They’re usually sliced into half and spread butter.

MAKES

12 BunsPREP TIME

30 min Total Time

2 hr. 50 min.COOK TIME

ingredients

The buns

1/4 cup orange juice

1 cup mixed currants, cranberries, chopped dried apricot, and chopped candied orange zest

2½ teaspoons active dry Yeast or two teaspoons instant yeast

1¼ cup whole milk, room temperature

Three large eggs

4½ cups all-purpose flour

Six tablespoons unsalted butter softened

¼ cup brown sugar

1½ teaspoons salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground allspice

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

The icing

1 cup confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)

Four teaspoons of orange juice

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

⅛ teaspoon salt

Combine the orange juice with the dried fruit in a small bowl and set it aside.

Combine the yeast and two tablespoons of milk in a small bowl. Let it sit until it foams, which should take about 1-2 min. If the Yeast does not foam, try again with fresh Yeast. If you are using instant Yeast, skip this step.

Combine the remaining milk with the yeast mixture and two eggs in the bowl of an electric stand mixer equipped with a dough hook. Add the flour, butter, sugar, salt, and spices.

Knead the dough in a stand mixer until it is elastic.

Add the fruit and any remaining orange juice, and mix until combined.

Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for an hour in a warm area.

Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces on a lightly floured surface and place them into a 10-inch square pan that has been greased.

Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel. Let it rise for an hour in a warm area.

Beat the remaining egg in a small bowl with a splash of water to create an egg wash.

Preheat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit.

Bake the buns until they are golden brown (about 20 minutes).

Remove the buns from the pan, and allow them to cool on a rack.

In the meantime, prepare the icing. Combine confectioners’ sugar, orange, and vanilla extract in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until smooth.

Transfer the icing to a piping tip fitted with a small round tip.

Once the buns have cooled, the pipe crosses onto the tops.