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

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.

Questions

Can I make Hot Cross Buns dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1 cup whole milk, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Hot Cross Buns gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 3 1/2 cups bread flour, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Hot Cross Buns keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat covered in a 300 F oven until warmed through.

Can I halve or double Hot Cross Buns?

Yes. As written it serves 12. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

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