Chocolate Job
Hot Cross Buns
Looking for the perfect hot cross buns recipe to celebrate Easter? Look no further! We’ve got the best hot cross buns recipe that will leave your taste buds singing with delight.
Ingredients
For the Hot Cross Buns:
- 3 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 440g plus more for dusting
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar 50g
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar 50g
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast 1 package
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg freshly grated if possible
- 1/4 tsp cardamom
- 1 tbsp orange zest optional
- 1 egg large, room temp, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup milk 120mL
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract 15mL
- 1/2 cup sour cream 120g
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter 85g
- 2/3 cup raisins or mixed dried fruit
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp cream
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour (40g)
- 1/4 cup water (60mL)
- 3 tbsp vanilla extract (45mL)
- 1 tbsp apricot jam (15mL)
- 1 tbsp water (15mL)
- Prep Time - 10 min.
- Cook Time - 25 min.
- Servings 15 rolls
- Author John Kanell
How to make hot cross buns?
1. Start by zesting the orange and setting it aside. In a separate bowl, place the raisins or other dried fruit and squeeze half of the orange’s juice over them. Toss and warm the mixture in the microwave for about 45 seconds to plump up the fruit and infuse it with flavor. You can also use dark rum instead of orange juice if you prefer. Drain the fruit before using.
2. In another bowl, add the milk and butter, and microwave until warm to the touch (about 110F). Stir in the vanilla and orange zest.
3. In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the flour, salt, spices, sugars, and yeast. Then, attach a dough hook to the mixer and pour in the wet mixture. Run the mixer on low and pour in the lightly beaten egg. Sprinkle in the drained raisins and mix until the dough comes together. The dough is ready to knead when it’s tacky to the touch but won’t stick to your fingers.
4. Dump the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, sprinkling with additional flour as needed. The dough is ready when it’s springy to the touch and has a smooth texture. Transfer it to a large oiled bowl, cover, and allow it to rise in a warm place. This is an enriched dough, so the yeast will take some time to get going, but the dough will more than double in size.
5. On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into about 14 equal pieces, each weighing around 2.5 oz or 70g if using a scale. Roll each portion into a ball, and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little under two inches for the rolls to expand. Alternatively, you can group them more closely in a baking dish if you prefer pull-apart rolls with soft sides.
6. Cover the rolls with plastic, foil, or a clean damp cloth, and let them rest in a warm place for about one to two hours for a final rise, during which they’ll almost double in size. Meanwhile, make the flour paste.
7. Once the rolls have risen, preheat the oven to 375F and brush the rolls with the egg wash made by whisking a tablespoon of cream with an egg.
Instructions for making crosses:
1. Begin by whisking together flour and water in a bowl until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more flour or water, if necessary, to achieve a thicker and pipe-able paste.
2. Transfer the flour paste into a piping bag and snip off the tip. Pipe crosses onto each roll.
3. Bake the rolls at 375F for approximately 25 minutes or until they are lightly browned on top. If the rolls begin to brown too quickly, cover them loosely with foil and continue to bake.
4. Heat apricot jam and strain it into a bowl. Whisk in vanilla and water. Brush the glaze onto the warm rolls, and then they are ready to be enjoyed!
Tips for baking Hot Cross Buns
- Ensure you measure the flour accurately. Over-measuring flour is a common mistake. A digital kitchen scale is the best way to measure flour. If you don’t have one, fluff the flour with a spoon, spoon it into your measuring cup, and level it off with a knife.
- It’s crucial to use fresh yeast. If you don’t bake often, check the expiration date on the yeast. Expired yeast won’t make the hot cross buns rise.
- You can use instant yeast or dry active yeast. Check the packet instructions before using, as some need to be activated in a little warm liquid first. If that’s the case, use a small amount of warm milk (about 1/4 cup) to activate the yeast.
- Because the dough is enriched, set your oven to 100F and let the dough rise in a warm environment. Don’t worry if it doesn’t rise immediately, as it may take longer due to the ingredients.
- You have two options for baking. Space the rolls about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, or bake them in a baking dish, spaced a little closer together. If you choose the latter, the rolls will be slightly taller and have soft sides like a pull-apart roll.
- You can use a traditional flour paste for the cross or skip that step and pipe a cross with a sugar glaze after baking and cooling. To make the glaze, whisk powdered sugar and any liquid (citrus juice, water, rum) together to make a pipe-able mixture.
- If the tops of the buns are browning too much, cover them loosely with foil.
- Adding citrus zest is optional. You can choose to add lemon or orange zest, or omit it altogether. We recommend adding it for extra flavor.
- If you’re baking in a pan, make sure to give the rolls enough room to expand. Don’t crowd them together.
- Instead of raisins or currants, you can use other dried fruit, such as cranberries or candied fruit, or add nuts like pecans or walnuts.
- Storage – Hot cross buns will keep well for 3-5 days when covered at room temperature, or they can be frozen. You can also freeze unbaked shaped buns.
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Hot cross buns video recipe
Author of video content: Preppy Kitchen
Delicious and Easy Hot Cross Buns Recipe for Easter
Hot cross buns are soft, fluffy, and loaded with juicy raisins and aromatic spices. But what makes them truly special is the iconic cross on the top that symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus. These buns are a beloved Easter tradition and are enjoyed by people all around the world.
Recipe is easy to follow, and we’ve included helpful tips and notes to ensure that your buns turn out perfectly. From measuring your flour correctly to choosing the right yeast, we’ve got you covered. You can even customize your hot cross buns by adding your favorite dried fruits and nuts.
So, whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, our hot cross buns recipe is sure to impress. Bake a batch of these delicious buns and share them with your loved ones this Easter. They’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack.
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