Description
Delightful hot cross buns deliver a classic Easter treat with sweet spices and tender crumb. Homemade comfort rises from traditional British bakeries, promising warm memories and festive flavor you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 640 grams (22.6 ounces) bread flour
- 375 milliliters (12.7 fluid ounces) warm full-fat milk
- 210 grams (7.4 ounces) sultanas
- 1 egg, room temperature
Spices and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons mixed spice
- 12 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 1/2 orange
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 teaspoons instant yeast
- 110 grams (3.9 ounces) caster sugar
- 50 grams (1.8 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
- 75 grams (2.6 ounces) plain flour
- 1/4 cup (35 grams or 1.2 ounces) extra bread flour
- 5 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon apricot jam
- 2 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients including flour, yeast, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and mixed spice in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform base for the dough.
- Incorporate wet ingredients such as milk, softened butter, beaten egg, and citrus zest into the dry mixture, stirring until a shaggy dough forms.
- Gently fold in sultanas, ensuring even distribution throughout the developing dough.
- Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead vigorously for 10 minutes until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and allow to rise in a warm environment for approximately 1 hour or until volume doubles.
- Punch down the risen dough and divide into 12 equal portions, shaping each into a round ball.
- Arrange balls on a lined baking tray, leaving slight spacing between each bun.
- Cover and let buns prove for an additional 30 minutes until they appear puffy and slightly expanded.
- Prepare a simple flour paste by mixing flour and water, then pipe distinctive crosses over the risen buns.
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and bake buns for 22 minutes until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Remove from oven and immediately brush with warm apricot jam for a glossy, sweet finish.
Notes
- Enhance yeast activation by warming milk slightly, ensuring it’s tepid to promote better rising without killing the yeast.
- Soak sultanas in warm water or rum beforehand to prevent them from drawing moisture from the dough and ensure plump, juicy fruit.
- Create a consistent dough texture by kneading thoroughly, developing gluten strands that contribute to a soft, pillowy bun structure.
- Customize flavor profiles by substituting sultanas with dried cranberries, chopped apricots, or dark chocolate chips for unique variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (including mixing, kneading, shaping, and preparation)
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 214 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg