Hot Cross Buns

Name: Hot Cross Buns
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 cup whole milk; 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 3 1/2 cups bread flour; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1 tsp fine salt; 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted; 1 egg, beaten; 3/4 cup raisins; 1 tbsp orange zest, grated; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup water; 2 tbsp apricot jam

Traditional British spiced sweet rolls dotted with raisins and citrus zest, piped with iconic white crosses and finished with a shiny jam glaze.

50 minMediumServes 12220 cal/serving

BritishBreakfastOven and StovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyNut-FreeSoy-FreeAlcohol-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

1 cup whole milk
2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp fine salt
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup raisins
1 tbsp orange zest, grated
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup water
2 tbsp apricot jam

Instructions

1

Warm 1 cup whole milk on the stovetop to 110 degrees F, then whisk with 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a bowl and let bloom for 10 minutes.
2

In a large bowl, whisk 3 1/2 cups bread flour, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tsp fine salt.
3

Stir in the bloomed yeast mixture, 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter, and 1 beaten egg to form a soft dough, then knead for 8 minutes.
4

Fold in 3/4 cup raisins and 1 tbsp grated orange zest, cover in a greased bowl, and let rise for 1 hour.
5

Divide dough into equal balls, arrange in a greased baking pan, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes.
6

Mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 1/3 cup water into a smooth paste, transfer to a piping bag, and pipe crosses on the buns.
7

Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes until golden brown.
8

Warm 2 tbsp apricot jam on the stovetop and brush over the hot buns before serving.

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Questions

What oven temperature does Hot Cross Buns need?

For Hot Cross Buns, the oven is set to 375 F (about 190 C) in step 7. The longest stretch at that heat is 20 minutes, in step 7.

What if the yeast does not foam in Hot Cross Buns?

Step 1 reads: "Warm 1 cup whole milk on the stovetop to 110 degrees F, then whisk with 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in a bowl and let bloom for 10 minutes." Then it is dead or the liquid was too hot. Step 1 is the test: no foam after ten minutes means start again with fresh yeast and liquid that feels barely warm, about 105 F.

What can I use instead of bread flour in Hot Cross Buns?

The entry for Hot Cross Buns calls for 3 1/2 cups bread flour. In its place: All-purpose flour works. The crumb will be a little softer and less chewy.

Is Hot Cross Buns vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 1 cup whole milk, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and 1 egg, beaten. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan breakfast collection.

Which part of Hot Cross Buns can be done ahead?

Everything up to step 4. Step 4 is a built-in pause of 1 hour: "Fold in 3/4 cup raisins and 1 tbsp grated orange zest, cover in a greased bowl, and let rise for 1 hour." Do everything up to that point ahead of time and pick up at step 5 when you are ready to finish.

Serve it with

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